Tommy Hunt - Only Human , my Soulful life .Book review
To Soul music lovers the world over , we often only see a very small part of the life's led by our heroes and heroines , via their recordings, or when we cheer them from the stage in a live performance .I feel that we often forget that these artists, like us , have a human side to them , far removed from the glitter and adoration heaped upon them by us , and the uphill struggle it took them to become a star name in the first place .
Tommy Hunt is now a household name to most Soul music fans throughout the UK and beyond ,via his live performances at Wigan Casino in the 70's and his multitude of great recordings such as " Never love a robin " , " Words can never tell it "[ Dynamo ] , " I'll make you happy " [ Capitol ] and " I don't want to lose you " [Atlantic ] , but it wasn't always like this ........On December 1st his autobiography " Only Human - My Soulful life " written with Jan Warburton , is released through Bankhouse books , and tells in his own words, how he rose through humble beginnings in Pittsburgh USA to become a member of the world famous " Doo - Wop " group The Flamingos ,later signing for Florence Greenberg's Scepter /Wand set up, and having a massive hit with " Human " . Having his follow up record upstaged by Dusty Springfield ,working with Burt Bacharach/ Hal David, Luther Dixon and many more, live appearances at New York's Apollo theatre , with some great tales of his time spent rubbing shoulders with other famous Soul stars , like Marvin Gaye ,James Brown , The Shirelles and many more , the desperation of prison , drugs , and his saving grace ,the UK's Northern Soul scene , plus the ultimate honour of being inducted into the " Rock and Roll hall of Fame".
Having read the first five chapters of this book in advance , I can confirm that this is a compelling read , and having recently chatted at length with Tommy during the recent" Soul in the sun" weekend in Lanzarote, I can also assure potential readers , that he tells one hell of a story , with wonderful recall ,warmth and humour , which has whetted my appetite to read the rest of his life story in full .An essential purchase .
Eddie Hubbard [ November 2008 ]
U.K. costs £14.99 + £2.50p&p Europe 25 euros includingpostage and packaging
Soul at the Mill, Croston, Nr.Chorley. 8 til late Adm.£5
The Monaco, Hindley, Nr.Wigan 8 til 1 adm.£5
Southport Railway Club,S ussex Road 7 30 til late
Saturday 25th July...
Mathews Suite, Blackpool Football Club, 8pm til 2am DJs. Pete Haigh, Jimmy Scriv and guests. Advance tickets £5 Contact Rod 01253 700889.
Saturday Bank Holiday 29th/30th August...
Wigan Weekender. Two venues for the price of one for first 500 tickets. Saturday 29th Grand Arcade with Tommy Hunt Live 8pm til 4am Adm. £15. Sunday at The Monaco for 1pm til 1am Meet Tommy Hunt and first ever Northern Soul Awards at 8pm plus dance competitions at 5pm and 9pm. Favourite Casino DJs Russ Winstanley, Steve Whittle, Dave Evison, Brian Rae, Keith Minshull, Stuart and Neil from Ms etc. Info.and tickets: www.wigan-casino.co.uk or Tel: 01942 826060.