Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story

Rating:
Summary: Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story
Review: "Summertime Blues," "Nervous Breakdown," "Somethin' Else," "C'mon Everybody," "Twenty Flight Rock," "Sittin' in the Balcony" - songs whose distinctive sound and defiant, often wryly humorous lyrics have been eagerly digested, analyzed and lovingly reinterpreted by generations of rockers after him, from The Beatles to the Sex Pistols, The Who to U2. Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story - co-authored by Cochran's nephew, also a gifted musician - is the first American biography of this uniquely American rock legend, who was among the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The book is a detailed portrait of Cochran's personal and professional triumphs and travails, with fascinating insight into the rock pioneer's life that only a family member can provide. 33 B/W photographs; Hardcover.
Detailed portrait of Cochran's personal and professional triumphs and travails, with fascinating insight into the rock pioneer's life that only a family member can provide.


Rating:
Summary: Recommended
Review: I have to break this review into two parts. One is the writing, which is a solid 5 stars. The other is the storyline, which is only 3 stars. The average is 4 stars.

My main complaint is having to read the life story of Eddie's nephew. Albeit an acomplished guitarist in his own right, not the subject I wanted to learn about in this book.

When the book is on the genius of EC, the pages fly by. Whilst reading about nephew Bobby, it was like pan-mining for gold nuggets: a lot of muddy water with the rare shinny moment.

Ms. Van Hecke has done another terrific writing job, however, equal to her work on Eddie's mentor and running mate, Gene Vincent. The book coulda been as good as that bio, but for the stuff I didn't need to know about Bobby.

Wish I could have given this 5 stars. . .

Rating:
Summary: The Music Lives
Review: I have to break this review into two parts. One is the writing, which is a solid 5 stars. The other is the storyline, which is only 3 stars. The average is 4 stars.

My main complaint is having to read the life story of Eddie's nephew. Albeit an acomplished guitarist in his own right, not the subject I wanted to learn about in this book.

When the book is on the genius of EC, the pages fly by. Whilst reading about nephew Bobby, it was like pan-mining for gold nuggets: a lot of muddy water with the rare shinny moment.

Ms. Van Hecke has done another terrific writing job, however, equal to her work on Eddie's mentor and running mate, Gene Vincent. The book coulda been as good as that bio, but for the stuff I didn't need to know about Bobby.

Wish I could have given this 5 stars. . .

Rating:
Summary: Recommended
Review: Received a copy of 'Three Steps to Heaven' this morning and have finished it already! It's been a long time since I read a book in a day. I've come away feeling like I actually know Eddie and Bobby, his nephew.

I've also learnt some stuff: I always thought Ned Fairchild was a pseudonym for Eddie on 'Twenty Flight Rock,' thought Bo Davis was actually Hank Cochran. Good to see Sharon Sheeley get a fair hearing as well, she usually gets dismissed by lesser people. And the implications that Eddie has offspring!

Those last two chapters - how I didn't cry I'll never know. I remember reading the sad news about Bobby's daughter Bree - killed in the same way, on the same day, at the same age as Eddie - in that year's Chippenham programme and it made me go cold for days. The coincidences/comparisons are frightening.

If it wasn't for Eddie and his music I'd never have picked up a guitar. To have that much influence when he was only with us for 21 years....I'm not very articulate but I hope I've come across ok.

Rating:
Summary: BREE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON-GOD BLESS HER.
Review: THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT BUT I WAS REALLY TOUCHED BY THE CHAPTER DEALING WITH THE TRAGIC DEATH OF BOBBY'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER BREE.THE WAY HE SPOKE ABOUT HER IT IS VERY EVIDENT THAT HE REALLY LOVED THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL.I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR THAT HE THOUGHT THAT BREE WAS ALL RIGHT IN HEAVEN AND SHE WOULD ONLY WANT JOY AND HAPPINESS FOR ALL.WITH THIS IN MIND I BELIEVE THAT BOBBY'S HEALING PROCESS WILL BE A BIT EASIER.GOD BLESS BREE AND MAY SHE ALWAYS EXPERIENCE ETERNAL HAPPINESS WITH THE DEAR LORD IN HEAVEN.

Rating:
Summary: EDDIE LIVES!!!
Review: This book was an absolute pleasure to read and I couldn't put
it down. As well as valuable insight into the life of Eddie
Cochran, it was interesting to read about Bobby's life and how
Eddie was such an inspiration to him and his guitar playing.
It's one of those rare books that you find and treasure....each
time I read it I feel like I knew them personally. To anyone
interested in Eddie, rockabilly, or some awesome Gretsch guitar
playing, READ THIS NOW!!! What are you waiting for???? This book
is SOMETHING ELSE!!


Rating:
Summary: From An Old Friend Of Eddie's
Review: WONDERFUL! I couldn't put it down until I finished it...6 full hours of reading....and I'll reread it tonight again I'm sure before falling asleep.... Not a moment that I didn't find interest...and so true....actually the best of the books on Eddie...I loved reliving it all.