Billy Lives Audiobook By Gary Brandner cover art

Billy Lives

Prologue Books

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Billy Lives

By: Gary Brandner
Narrated by: Derek Austin
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About this listen

Billy Lockett: He was the king of rock ‘n roll - until a shocking accident cut short his spectacular career.

Iris Ames: A nubile beauty who was the latest to be promoted by Billy from groupie to bedmate.

Al Fenstra: Billy’s manager who guided his career like a father. His reaction to Billy’s accident: “Jesus Christ, I’m wiped out!”

Madeline Fenstra: Al’s cool and lovely young wife who knew more about Billy than she should.

Rick Giordan: Billy’s one-time partner, he harbored a hatred that grew with Billy’s fame.

Dean Hardeman: Once he was a literary giant, now he is debt-ridden alcoholic. Hired to write Billy’s story, he discovers the surprising truth behind Billy’s legend - and some startling facts about himself.

Billy Lives is a hard-driving novel about rock music’s dim subculture, where drugs, kinky sex, and easy money can turn a teenager into a millionaire overnight - or make him an old man in a week.

©1976 Gary Brandner (P)2024 Mark Alan Miller Classics Coming of Age Cozy Genre Fiction Mystery
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Brandner does it again. A cast of characters surround around a rock legend’s untimely publicity stunt gone wrong. These different characters intersect and cross paths to create an interesting story and exciting sub plots. Brandner develops these characters so well and integrates them into an entertaining story.

Great Story.

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Listener received this title free

I haven't quite finished this book but had to pop on here and write a review, this book is outside of my normal reading type but I have been really enjoying it! It is keeping me entertained and I have really enjoyed the journey. The reader is really excellent to, his tone and intonation are easy on the ears and the pacing of the reading keeps me wondering what is going to happen next. Looking forward to finishing this tonight!

Engaging

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Listener received this title free

First thing of note, everyone involved seemed to be having a good time with this book. Austin's reading captures the aloofness of many of the characters, while also managing to retain the respect of my ear. Brandner's writing in "Billy Lives" reads as a not too serious critique of the media industry as a whole. He plays with the reality that; to be famous, is to be a product. "Billy Lives" is like a slightly less pessimistic, and less comedic, episode of "Always Sunny in Philadelphia". Most of the characters are people no sane reader would want to be friends with. Yet by the end you find yourself rooting for their hairbrained schemes and tragically dysfunctional relationships. Unlike "Always Sunny", only one character ends up in the same place they started. Brandner leaves the reader with a healthy hope that this cast of characters will in fact be better off. Them now having suffered through all their misfortunes (mostly of their own making).

"Billy Lives" was a fun period piece that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to. My only major gripes were the sheer lack of hard drug use in 1970's music industry, and the slightly confusing/awkward first sex scene. If you're looking for a story about Sex & almost no drugs & rock & roll, "Billy Lives" has you covered.

Fun Period Piece

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