Many have heard of Melbourne boy Jim Morrison,
Gainesville-born Tom Petty and the Miami Sound Machine. Heck, maybe
you’ve even purchased an album then blared it through that record
player while strumming an air guitar or shadow dancing in front of
the mirror. But few can fathom how comprehensive the collection is
of label-signed musicians sitting on Florida’s sunny shelf; some
became famous—even infamous—while others sadly faded out like a
record track with no definite ending.
However, one thing remains true, the inventiveness featured in
this encyclopedia that once was confined to Florida garages is now
forever captured on prominent record labels.
Talent boogies, jams and rocks out of every amped corner of our
great peninsula, from Pensacola’s bluesy soul melodies to Miami’s
caliente rhythms. Because of Florida’s unique geographical location
and wonderfully eclectic mix of people, no sound ever is neglected.
In fact, new mellifluous genre hybrids proliferate from the many
musical minds residing in the sunny south.
Florida’s Famous & Forgotten ... is the only place where all of
the Sunshine State’s musical families co-exist side by side in such
an extensive scope. Never before has such an in-depth look at
Florida musicians been published; and who better to compile such
detailed radical recollections than Kurt “King of the Oldies”
Curtis, radio disc jockey extraordinaire dubbed by some as the
longest-running and top-ranked Tampa Bay grand mix master for more
than 30 years, a heated music connoisseur and a true rock ‘n’ roller
at heart. His many years personally absorbing the Florida music
scene through his amazing life experiences validate him as an uber-authority
on Florida’s rock, soul and dance artists.
And these artists are vast! Whether still rockin’ and rollin’ or
reveling in obscurity, they are all featured in this amazing
encyclopedia. The author made it his life’s work to both celebrate
the popular musicians and resurrect those forgotten.
Sections include a background story on each band, some more
detailed than others depending on their state impact. Many entries
are colorfully illustrated with priceless photos. Album covers,
although prominent, are just the needle of the record player.
Fantastic vintage flyers, personally autographed glossies and
incomparable memorabilia grace the encyclopedia’s 1,000-plus pages.
Although the massive book is mostly geared toward musicians who have
celebrated most of their success in Florida, KOTO uses his own
artistic license on occasion by including artists who may not have
experienced direct Florida association, but have adorned it in some
great way.
Another excellent feature in this encyclopedia is the meticulous
use of cross-reference. This is a fantastic tool for quick
accreditation. The ample indexes act as a virtual information
piņata, filled to the brim with fun melodic treats. KOTO goes as far
as to list an abundance of songs that mention Florida in any way ...
whether it be by water body, attraction, city or county. He also
pays tribute, in a bittersweet laudation, to the old Florida diners,
record stores and drive-in theaters that played an integral part in
the state’s musical ambience.
The intimate relationship KOTO had with the music industry exudes
from every word he wrote, and Florida’s Famous & Forgotten’s ...
readers will feel that spark through their fingertips. It is KOTO’s
amazing life that gives this book completeness and sincerity that to
which none other could ever measure.
