In this Book
- Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins
- Book
- 2012
- Published by: University of Illinois Press
- Series: Music in American Life
Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins is the first biography of this legendary country music artist and NASCAR driver who scored sixteen number-one hits and two Grammy awards. Yet even with fame and fortune, Marty Robbins always yearned for more.
Drawing from personal interviews and in-depth research, biographer Diane Diekman explains how Robbins saw himself as a drifter, a man always searching for self-fulfillment and inner peace. Born Martin David Robinson to a hardworking mother and an abusive alcoholic father, he never fully escaped the insecurities burned into him by a poverty-stricken nomadic childhood in the Arizona desert. In 1947 he got his first gig as a singer and guitar player. Too nervous to talk, the shy young man walked onstage singing. Soon he changed his name to Marty Robbins, cultivated his magnetic stage presence, and established himself as an entertainer, songwriter, and successful NASCAR driver.
For fans of Robbins, NASCAR, and classic country music, Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins is a revealing portrait of this well-loved, restless entertainer, a private man who kept those who loved him at a distance.
Table of Contents
- [1] In the Hall of Fame
- pp. 1-4
- [2] Child of the Arizona Desert
- pp. 5-13
- [3] A Drifter
- pp. 15-23
- [4] Music and Marizona
- pp. 25-31
- [5] On Columbia Records
- pp. 33-39
- [6] Mr. Teardrop
- pp. 41-52
- [9] Early 1960s
- pp. 79-86
- [10] Cowboy in a Continental Suit
- pp. 87-93
- [12] From Dirt Track to NASCAR
- pp. 105-112
- [13] A Hot Dog Ready to Pop
- pp. 113-122
- [14] “I Want To Race Again”
- pp. 123-129
- [15] Back in the Groove
- pp. 131-139
- [16] NASCAR 42
- pp. 141-151
- [17] Twentieth Century Drifter
- pp. 153-160
- [18] Return to the Road
- pp. 161-168
- [20] The Marty Robbins Band on Tour
- pp. 177-188
- [21] Into the ’80s
- pp. 189-198
- [22] NASCAR—Phase Two
- pp. 199-202
- [23] Super Legend
- pp. 203-211
- [24] No Plans of Quitting Any Time Soon
- pp. 213-224
- [25] “I’ll Be Drifting Home”
- pp. 225-230
- [26] Some Memories Just Won’t Die
- pp. 231-234
- Appendix: Band Members
- pp. 235-237
Additional Information
Copyright
2012