Society's Child: My Autobiography

Location: Home » music » Formats » Society's Child: My Autobiography

Similar Items:

•	Best of Janis Ian - The Autobiography Collection
•	Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon--And the Journey of a Generation
•	Between the Lines
•	Audition: A Memoir
•	Covers

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Grammy Awardwinning singer and songwriter Janis Ians memoir of her more than forty years in the music business.

Janis Ian was catapulted into the spotlight in 1966 at the age of fifteen when her soul-wrenching song Societys Child became a national hit. An intimate portrait of an interracial relationship, Societys Child climbed the charts despite the fact that many radio stations across the country refused to play it because of its controversial subject matter. But this was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career. In this fascinating memoir of her life in the music business, Ian chronicles how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janis Joplin, and sang with Mel Torme all the while never ceasing to create unforgettable music.

In Societys Child, Ian shares with readers what it felt like to move in and out of the public eye. In 1975 her legendary song At Seventeen earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. But during the 1980s she made a conscious decision to walk away from the often grueling music business to study ballet and acting. She also struggled through a difficult marriage that ended with her then husbands threat to kill her. The hiatus from music lasted for nearly a decade until, in 1993, Ian returned with the release of Breaking Silence. Rather than risk losing artistic control, she took out a second mortgage on her home to fund the record. It paid off as Breaking Silence gained Ian her ninth Grammy nomination. Now in her fifth decade, Ian continues to draw large audiences around the globe.

Janis Ian has inspired generations of fans and in this moving book she shares the fascinating story of her life in music.

Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Can't believe I actually wrote a whole book July 29, 2008
30 out of 31 found this review helpful

Best of Janis Ian: The Autobiography Collection
I'm really amazed, and you wouldn't believe how cool it is to be able to see this book and the CD that goes with it here on Amazon. I tried to write an honest book, and not whine too much (though it was tempting.) I tried to live up to the best of my songwriting, which is hard because I've been writing songs since I was 12, and writing books for a little over a year now.
I can't understand why Amazon keeps pairing the book with "Girls Like Us," which doesn't even mention me, instead of the "Best of Janis Ian: The Autobiography Collecton," which I worked long and hard on. And which also accompanies my own book; they piggy back on each other. Still, it's a thrill every time I look at this page, and I'm happy Amazon exists!

5 out of 5 stars

$1550.00 at Auction and Worth Every Page-turning Penny!!! July 24, 2008
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

This is the long awaited story of the life of Janis Ian. The work spans her entire career as a grammy winning singer, songwriter, musician and author. Janis penned this extraordinarily candid work herself. It begins with her birth, family issues and hardships, her struggles as a teenage star, relationships, friendships with icons like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, and ends in Janis' present life, still performing after four decades. She shares rare insights into the writing and recording of her various albums, including songs "Society's Child" and "At Seventeen". She also shares bravely about her too long marriage to a brilliant, yet addicted and abusive ex-husband, and her very happy Canadian marriage to her current partner. An alias is used here and there, but those of us who have followed Janis' career will probably know who everyone is. I had the honor of auctioning a rare galley copy on Ebay (the "Pearl Foundation" getting 100% of the proceeds),with Janis' blessing back in late May, 2008. That paperback, even without the picture insert went for $1550.00. There were 30 bids, with 10 of them well over $1,000.00. You will be wise to add a copy of this stunning book to your Janis Ian, or singer songwriter biography collection! There is also a new 2 cd set that is available. Each song is a book chapter! B001B0H7AY, check it out!!!

5 out of 5 stars

the life of a singer, a poetess, a genius and a woman July 25, 2008
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

As a very new & very big fan of Janis Ian's I was very excited to get this book. Like the star herself, her autobiography is fascinating, touching and at times even funny. I learned so much about Janis and had no idea that she has been in the business for so long. There are so many so-called celebrities these days but not even one-tenth have the genuine talent, energy, heart or charisma that "Society's Child" taught me that Janis has always possessed. Even if you're unfamiliar with her music I still recommend this book because through her writing Janis is able to capture and speak to anyone who chooses to hear her story. Like her #1 world-wide anthem "At Seventeen," her book is completely universal. Janis is an inspiration for anyone who is starving through this cultural famine that we call life.

5 out of 5 stars

Up all night read July 24, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I stayed up all night to read Janis' book. What a life she had! What a life she is still having! From her teens to the present, Janis has shown that talent and guts will keep you in the business. Her story both personally and professionally is told with honesty and she pulls no punches. Ian talks candidly about the music business with all the good and the bad. Anyone who reads her story will be fascinated by an extraordinary woman and her career.

5 out of 5 stars

A MUST have book........ July 24, 2008
6 out of 9 found this review helpful

I won one of the lucky ones to win a copy of Janis' galley book and as I read it tears fell... it is a very personal, and touching book and makes you feel like you were right there ...Just when you thought you knew Janis, you learn a little bit more.. I applaud Janis for letting us into her lives...Janis, thank you for you and thank you for the book...
Jenny

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

T-shirts, Posters

Pentagram T-shirts, bags, etc...

Gothic Posters