Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor (Black Music and Expressive Culture)

I've been a fan of Jerry Butler for more than a half century. Growing up on Chicago's South Side in the '50's and 60's, I was struck by how much of his story about the groups, the music, the venues and Chicago's music scene, even the record industry, all resonated with me. He sort of downplays his entry into the business world with a beer distributorship, something that piqued my interest since, in Chicago, that can be a lucrative business. I wanted more on that as well as his venturing into politics. Jerry Butler is a remarkable man and his story is most interesting to those of us, black and non-black alike, who grew up on that thriving music scene. The book has an older copyright date than I expected but even with the passage of well over a decade the story still plays well.

I love this book! I bought it because Mr. Butler frequently cites Sunflower (e.g., on past album covers) as his birthplace. I grew up with a neighbor (long deceased) who said she was a relative.As we say in the Delta, " You've done your music and non-music ancestors proud!" Thank you for taking the time to capture this rich history in a way that made me not want to put it down.

Excellent read! Recommended!

Thought I was getting the song or movie it ended up being the music sheet. For musicians great for me not so great.

I highly recommend this book, one of my favorite singers, and the price could not be beat.

ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE.....a good good good book...enjoyed the book from cover to cover...cant get enough of "YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE."

While i like Jerry Butler, this wasn't the best read..... but Jerry Butler..... Go on sir.... I would love to see a biopic.

Excellent autobiography from one of the giants of Chicago soul and a giant in the world of pop music in general.Lots of anecdotes about life on the road and the Chicago music scene from the 50s through the 90s.Butler is a major talent as well as an intelligent, literate man. A must read for fans of popular music in the last half of the 20th century.

I was a bit sceptical about what this book would deliver before I started reading it. Books by Jazz and Soul greats can be disappointing, as can biographies of the genres written by 'outside' obervers. But I loved this book. What comes through most strongly is the intelligence, perspective and judgment of the author. I felt at every page that I was being taken on a journey by a wise old sage. I always felt that he knew the truth and was helping the reader to understand. The portraits of key people in Jerry's life are brought to light with a warmth and gentleness that makes them feel like friends of yours as well as his. This is a book that is unlikely to be widely read. But it is a book of which Mr Jerry Butler should be immensely proud. A wonderful contribution to soul music and a rare gift to those, like me, who hold onto the dream....

A good book by as great singer, great delivery service

2 pages!