- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: University of Illinois Press (25 April 2012)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0252036328
- ISBN-13: 978-0252036323
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.8 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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- #4 in Books > Biography > Sport > Formula One & Other Motor Racing
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Review
"The early years of Marty's career are well covered and he topped the country charts for 13 weeks with Singing the Blues in 1956... It is a well-told and informative biography of a great but over looked country star." - Spencer Leigh, Country Music People, February 2012 "A detailed account of the life and career of country music superstar Marty Robbins. Anyone interested in Robbins or the country music world of his long era will enjoy Diane Diekman's refreshing, compelling narrative." Ronnie Pugh, author of Ernest Tubb: The Texas Troubadour "A top country & western artist who crossed over to the pop charts, Marty Robbins deserves this well-written, well-researched account of his life and music. Diekman's expert history is a welcome addition to the oeuvre of classic country music biography." Holly George-Warren, author of Public Cowboy No. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry
Product Description
Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins is the first biography of this legendary country music artist and NASCAR driver who scored sixteen number-one hits and two Grammy awards. Yet even with fame and fortune, Marty Robbins always yearned for more. Drawing from personal interviews and in-depth research, biographer Diane Diekman explains how Robbins saw himself as a drifter, a man always searching for self-fulfilment and inner peace. Born Martin David Robinson to a hardworking mother and abusive alcoholic father, he never fully escaped from the insecurities burned into him by a poverty-stricken nomadic childhood in the Arizona desert. In 1947 he got his first gig as a singer and guitar player. Too nervous to talk, the shy young man walked onstage singing. Soon he changed his name to Marty Robbins, cultivated his magnetic stage presence, and established himself as an entertainer, songwriter, and successful NASCAR driver. For fans of Robbins, NASCAR, and classic country music, Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins is a revealing portrait of this well-loved, restless entertainer, a private man who kept those who loved him at a distance.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I very much enjoyed Diane Deikman's biography of Faron Young,so it was with great expectations i purchased this book.I wasn't to be dissapointed, Marty has been long overdue a biography,and this magnificent effort is sure to satisfy the late singers many fans.A thoroughly researched book for which many ex band members,family,friends,and industry executives were interviewed.Starting with the early years of his life,we learn of an impoverished childhood,and wayward youth,his first efforts at singing and entertaining the result of self admitted laziness.His rise to stardom is well documented,as are his exploits on the racetrack.We find out quite a bit of previously unknown information about his personal life,Marty being a notoriously private man.Plenty of anecdotes about his music,and personal appearences add to the books enjoyment.
If you have ever enjoyed listening to"El Paso","Singing the Blues",or anyone of Marty's numerous and varied recordings,this wonderfully well woven together book is for you.
If you have ever enjoyed listening to"El Paso","Singing the Blues",or anyone of Marty's numerous and varied recordings,this wonderfully well woven together book is for you.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A Great Picture of Marty Robbin's Life
22 Feb 2012
Format:Hardcover
I share membership in a writing critique group with Diane, and I know firsthand how much hard work, dedication, and insight she has brought to this biography. Diane's knowledge is rooted in the fact she is a fan, a person who saw Robbins perform several times. Diane is the type of writer who researches, interviews friends and family to get all sides of her subject, and then sticks to the facts. Don't expect a modern psycho-biography, but a fan will learn much about Robbins and what made him the man and performer the public saw on stage. The biography begins with Marty's rough-and-tumble childhood in Arizona and then follows him through his service in World War II, where he saw combat in the South Pacific. The chapters about his career, his family life, and his racing in NASCAR wind up the story. Robbins was a natural artist, and his story deserved an author like Diane, one who is both a skillful writer and a knowledgeable music enthusiast.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Mr. Teardrop Gets the Treatment He Deserves
29 Feb 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Marty Robbins is one of the greatest and most talented singer/songwriters of all time. I really began listening to Marty's music about three years ago. I was born a little less than two years after Marty's untimely death, therefore, I wasn't really exposed to a lot of his music. I was aware through television and radio of songs like "El Paso" and "Devil Woman" but had never taken the time to really listen.
I purchased one of his greatest hits CDs here on Amazon, and needless to say, I was truly impressed at how talented and versatile this man was. He was crossing over into the pop charts way before anyone else was with songs like "A White Sport Coat" and the above mentioned "El Paso". I recently watched an interview with Marty Robbins where he stated that he never really arranged many songs in a country style. That seems to be just where people wanted to place him. But Marty Robbins was beyond a country and western singer. He was a singer period. Just take a listen to the album "Marty after Midnight". It is pure jazz greatness and is just a slice of this man's vocal prowess.
I had scoured the internet after being introduced to Marty for anything I could find on him. After buying the CD, I soon bought the "Essential" CD collection as well as the "Legendary Performances" and "Marty Robbins Anthology" DVDs. I must say he has become my all time favorite vocalist. While searching the internet for Marty stuff, my goal was to find a biography about the man. Sadly, my search came up short as the only thing available was the large bibliography "Marty Robbins: Fast Cars and Country Music" and "Some Memories: Growing up with Marty Robbins" which was a book co-written by Marty's twin sister before she passed. This wasn't enough for me, as I wanted a volume dedicated to the man's life. A definitive biography of this legendary entertainer.
Diane Diekman has done just that. She has crafted one of the best biographies out there. This book is exhaustive and covers every aspect of Marty Robbins life. From his birth in Arizona to his untimely death at the age of 57 in Nashville, Tn. It is filled with recollections from his children, his siblings, peers, band members and Marty himself. This book leaves no stone unturned and gives you an overall picture of Marty without pulling any punches.
Mr. Teardrop deserves this biography and so do his fans. I highly recommend this book and cannot put it down.
I purchased one of his greatest hits CDs here on Amazon, and needless to say, I was truly impressed at how talented and versatile this man was. He was crossing over into the pop charts way before anyone else was with songs like "A White Sport Coat" and the above mentioned "El Paso". I recently watched an interview with Marty Robbins where he stated that he never really arranged many songs in a country style. That seems to be just where people wanted to place him. But Marty Robbins was beyond a country and western singer. He was a singer period. Just take a listen to the album "Marty after Midnight". It is pure jazz greatness and is just a slice of this man's vocal prowess.
I had scoured the internet after being introduced to Marty for anything I could find on him. After buying the CD, I soon bought the "Essential" CD collection as well as the "Legendary Performances" and "Marty Robbins Anthology" DVDs. I must say he has become my all time favorite vocalist. While searching the internet for Marty stuff, my goal was to find a biography about the man. Sadly, my search came up short as the only thing available was the large bibliography "Marty Robbins: Fast Cars and Country Music" and "Some Memories: Growing up with Marty Robbins" which was a book co-written by Marty's twin sister before she passed. This wasn't enough for me, as I wanted a volume dedicated to the man's life. A definitive biography of this legendary entertainer.
Diane Diekman has done just that. She has crafted one of the best biographies out there. This book is exhaustive and covers every aspect of Marty Robbins life. From his birth in Arizona to his untimely death at the age of 57 in Nashville, Tn. It is filled with recollections from his children, his siblings, peers, band members and Marty himself. This book leaves no stone unturned and gives you an overall picture of Marty without pulling any punches.
Mr. Teardrop deserves this biography and so do his fans. I highly recommend this book and cannot put it down.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
THE STORY OF A LEGEND
30 April 2012
Format:Hardcover
TWENTIETH CENTURY DRIFTER: The Life of Marty Robbins is well written. Like any other project author Diane Diekman produces, the material she presents comes from countless hours of research and interviews. She doesn't take 'I don't remember' for an answer. Diane digs till she gets the information she's looking for. Through her diligence, we are rewarded with an all-access pass with the late Marty Robbins from the people who knew him best. Diane leads you on a journey through detailed accounts and photos from his boyhood antics through to his many accomplishments both in the music industry and on the racetrack. Not only will you see a side of Marty Robbins only those closest to him ever saw, but you get a glimpse of what life in Nashville was like in it's early days and the role he played in helping others on their way up. Whether you are a fan of classic country, Nascar or the man, this book on the legendary Marty Robbins belongs in your collection.
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