Summertime Blues - Hardcover

Sharon Sheeley, the pioneering queen of Rock & Roll songwriting began her prolific and remarkable career in 1958 penning Ricky Nelson's biggest hit "Poor Little Fool." Sharon was the first and youngest woman to ever have a national number one hit on the charts. She was just sixteen years old. In the fifties, the music business was completely dominated by men. Sharon, through determination and uncanny business savvy, changed all that. She obliterated the steel sphere surrounding the male-dominated industry and blazed a trail that the likes of Carol King, Jackie DeShannon, Joni Mitchell, Madonna, Joan Jett, Sheryl Crow, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift and many others would not have had, if it were not for Sharon's courage and talent. SUMMERTIME BLUES features Sharon's fiance EDDIE COCHRAN and takes you with her on her extraordinary journey of eternal love, heartbreak, and rebirth. Her Rock & Roll adventure is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of '"making it" regardless of your chosen endeavor. Those of you that just enjoy a thrilling story flowing with passion for life will be intrigued and captiivated by Sharon's heartwarming struggle for love, success, and meaning.

Sharon Sheeley, the pioneering Queen of Rock & Roll songwriting was born on April 4, 1940. She grew up in Newport Beach, California, attending Newport Harbor High School. Sharon was the consummate California Girl of the 1950's and early 60's.In 1958, at sixteen years of age, she penned Poor Little Fool, recorded by Ricky Nelson.Sharon was the youngest and first female songwriter to have a national number one hit on the charts.In the fifties, the Rock & Roll music business was completely dominated and controlled by men. To say that Sharon changed all that is an extreme understatement. She obliterated the steel sphere surrounding the male dominated music business and blazed a remarkable trail that the likes of Carol King, Jackie DeShannon, Joni Mitchell, Madonna, Joan Jett, Sheryl Crow, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, and many others would not have had, if it were not for Sharon's courage, talent, determination, and business savvy.Sharon invites you along on her remarkable journey of eternal love, heartbreak and rebirth. Her Rock & Roll adventure will be an inspiration to any of you dreaming of making it someday, regardless of your chosen endeavor. Those of you who just enjoy a great story overflowing with a passion for life will be intrigued and thrilled by Sharon's struggle for love, success, and meaning.Sharon and Eddie's love for each other inspired many timeless collaborative efforts such as, Love Again, Cherished Memories, and Something Else. In 1988 The Levi Strauss Company produced a commercial for their 501 blue jeans celebrating Eddie and Sharon's relationship with Eddie's rockin' tune Cmon Everybody as the sound track. Sharon and Eddie touched and influenced so many people's lives in giving ways that were unprecedented for their time. Their many close friendships that they forged would read as an encyclopedic Who's Who of the entertainment industry. Eddie's own love and concern for ill children inspired him to donate much of his earnings to the Children's Leukemia Foundation.Sharon spent much of her later years unselfishly mentoring up and coming young talented musicians, actors, and songwriters. There are indeed many creative artists that owe their successful careers to Sharon."Sharon Sheeley gives us an invaluable look into the rock world of the 50's and the personae of the music's first fathers. A great look at being a fan who finds herself on the inside. A must read for rock and roll fanatics like me." Tom Petty "Summertime Blues is a triumph of spirit and perception beyond mere words. It captures your heart. The essence of an American classic." Karl Arthur, 6DOF Media, National Writers Association "An inspirational love letter tribute to Rock & Roll. All you require is a passion for the music, and a dream of your own to share Sharon's incredible ride through life's alchemy of heart-wrenching challenges, ecstasies and wondrous achievements." Anita Louise, The Gonzalez Review, International Creative Artists Network "We celebrated our hit songs in the early sixties at Tiny Naylor's Drive In, living the Hollywood Dream. With the convertible top down in the warm California sun. Those memories I will forever cherish. Sharon will be missed by everyone whose life she touched." Jackie DeShannon "In addition to having written some pretty great songs, Sharon really knew the business. She was a big pleasure to deal with, even when you couldn't make a deal with her. She was genuinely funny, always original and very very smart." Clark Miller, Vice President EMI Records "Sharon had a great sense of humor. We laughed together all the time. She used to tease me and say I inspired her biggest hit songs...Poor Little Fool (Ricky Nelson) and Dum Dum (Brenda Lee). I used to say, Don't forget my share of the royalties. So I married her to make sure she paid up." Jimmy O'Neill, radio and television personality