Overview

"Former fashion model, charismatic vocalist and devoted lover of David Bowie during his 1970s golden era, Chicago-born Ava Cherry waited for just the right moment to tell her story, and that moment is now... All That Glitters begins with Ava's musical inspirations, family allegiances, Catholic education and reaction to living on Chicago's South Side. Donning faded denim and ""lots of fringe"" during her early teen years, she frequents the all-black, opulent Regal Theater, where she dreams about performing live after watching Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson. The free-spirited Ava finds an early path into the world of fashion and entertainment as a young model. Fast forward to a New York after-party, where Ava's then-manager introduces her to flame-haired David Bowie; he's instantly attracted to Ava's short-cropped, dyed hair and down-to-earth persona. What he doesn't suspect is that Ava has spent hours staring at the rock star's image on the Ziggy Stardust cover while dropping the needle on each track and memorizing all the lyrics. Bowie notices something else: When entering the club Genesis, Ava, along with A-lister celebrities, had broken into song, so it was only natural that the still-rising star would ask her, ""Can you sing?"" While singing wasn't exactly Ava's major career goal, she instinctively nods yes. Bowie asks Ava to tour in Japan with his backing band, The Spiders from Mars. She hurriedly packs up her apartment, gives notice to her employer and says goodbye to her parents, but when a telegram from Bowie's camp arrives alerting her that the tour had fallen through, Ava sets into place an intrepid plan... Ultimately, Ava and Bowie have a multi-year affair during which time Ava influences Bowie's own career vis a vis trips to New York's Apollo Theater, thereby setting the stage for the award-winning Young Americans project. During this time, she also befriends young backup singer Luther Vandross. In the 1980s, Ava becomes a Versace-clad international backing singer for Vandross. Life is exciting, but rehearsals prove grueling. The pressure to succeed is on, as Ava feels constantly judged by her contemporaries-she sweats bullets when Diana Ross occupies a front row seat. On the other hand, Ava enjoys mentoring the likes of a young Whitney Houston. Finally, Ava returns home to embark on her debut recording project, Ripe, helmed by producer Curtis Mayfield (Super Fly). She then works on the follow-up, Streetcar Named Desire, with producer Bob Esty (Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer). While Ava is grateful for the opportunity to work with such gifted producers, there is a dark side; she sadly discovers that talent is not enough-Ava faces discrimination on the airwaves and her solo career struggles. Throughout this memoir, Ava recounts fascinating tales of memorable times spent in the orbit of a multitude of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Bob Marley, among many others. She also has a heartwarming moment with Frank Sinatra and a humorous encounter in England with the Queen Mother. What will quickly become apparent to the reader is Ava's resilience, as she branches out into rap and contemporary dance music. Ava's appearances at major Bowie fests and museum exhibits around the world keep her name front and center in the post-Bowie/Vandross years. As Ava's contemporary dance records continue to soar up the international charts, she enjoys reconnecting with her longtime fans as well as inspiring the next generation of artists."

Full Product Details

9781737987666

Table of Contents

Reviews

A muse to as well as a long-term lover of David Bowie, singer and fashion icon Ava Cherry, despite her influence, has been until now one of the more neglected characters in his colourful history. Her refreshingly down-to-earth and unpretentious memoir (co-written with Lisa Torem) is an illuminating and inspiring account of the 1970s and 1980s rock and soul scenes and beyond. -John Clarkson, Editor, pennyblackmusic Ava Cherry is the power behind the throne. They called it 'plastic soul' but this was authenticity based on the fact that Luther Vandross and Ava Cherry were there. Young Americans was one of the top albums of my youth. -Joe Shanahan, Founder, METRO It's tough to survive in the Music Business. To be able to thrive and still be performing and making music after nearly 50 years in the Business is absolutely phenomenal. Long Live Ava Cherry! -Tony Zanetta, former executive of MainMan Ava's record, to me, was a crossover smash. It was called Streetcar Named Desire and I thought it was absolutely terrific. I loved it. -Bobby Colomby, producer, former A&R executive at Capitol Records and former drummer of Blood, Sweat and Tears We, Sigma Kids, had front row seats to the Young Americans release. All That Glitters has the details...David definitely loved Ava's sense of style! How amazing it must have been for Ava to share her clothes with David! After nearly fifty years, five decades, still being in touch with Ava is a gift! There will always be a soul connection with David, Ava, the Sigma Kids and Philly! -Marla Kanevsky, Sigma Kid

"""A muse to as well as a long-term lover of David Bowie, singer and fashion icon Ava Cherry, despite her influence, has been until now one of the more neglected characters in his colourful history. Her refreshingly down-to-earth and unpretentious memoir (co-written with Lisa Torem) is an illuminating and inspiring account of the 1970s and 1980s rock and soul scenes and beyond."" -John Clarkson, Editor, pennyblackmusic ""Ava Cherry is the power behind the throne. They called it 'plastic soul' but this was authenticity based on the fact that Luther Vandross and Ava Cherry were there. Young Americans was one of the top albums of my youth."" -Joe Shanahan, Founder, METRO ""It's tough to survive in the Music Business. To be able to thrive and still be performing and making music after nearly 50 years in the Business is absolutely phenomenal. Long Live Ava Cherry!"" -Tony Zanetta, former executive of MainMan ""Ava's record, to me, was a crossover smash. It was called Streetcar Named Desire and I thought it was absolutely terrific. I loved it."" -Bobby Colomby, producer, former A&R executive at Capitol Records and former drummer of Blood, Sweat and Tears ""We, Sigma Kids, had front row seats to the Young Americans release. All That Glitters has the details...David definitely loved Ava's sense of style! How amazing it must have been for Ava to share her clothes with David! After nearly fifty years, five decades, still being in touch with Ava is a gift! There will always be a soul connection with David, Ava, the Sigma Kids and Philly!"" -Marla Kanevsky, ""Sigma Kid"""

Author Information

Lisa Torem, a native Chicagoan, holds a B.A. in Education with a Major Concentration in Music and an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University. A musician and playwright, Torem wrote original music about pioneering American women for Scott Foresman Co. and her one-act play, Dog Sharing, was produced at a New York theater. Her original multicultural tape, Singlish, won a Parents' Choice award and select songs were performed by American Women Composers at the Chicago Cultural Center. Torem writes reviews and features for multiple music outlets, including Popmatters, American Blues Scene, the Chicago Reader and pennyblackmusic.co.uk., for which she is a staff writer. She has conducted more than 100 interviews with high-profile and rising stars. Torem received a fellowship for the Summer Literature Seminar held in Tbilisi, Georgia in 2018 and was also invited that year to attend Sicily's annual Bread Loaf conference. Torem co-wrote Through the Eye of the Tiger: The Rock 'N' Roll Life of Survivor's Founding Member with Jim Peterik (2014) and is the author of Tori Amos: Every Album, Every Song (2021). Ava Cherry is a singer, producer and fashion icon. Her personal and professional collaboration with international superstar David Bowie in the 1970s fostered a strong soul influence on Bowie's hit album Young Americans. She was also instrumental in the evolution of the proto-New Wave band The Astronettes. Cherry's formative years on the Chicago black music scene shaped her soul music sensibilities that would later influence the work of numerous artists following in her footsteps. Cherry was later a backup singer for Luther Vandross and eventually struck out on her own to launch a solo career. She is currently enjoying a resurgence on the international music scene.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available