Book description
"A persuasive argument that Presley's "moonshot" to fame could not have happened without Florida. . . . Deftly captures a pre-Interstate Florida where an anonymous Presley would be traveling for grueling hours down every two-laner in the state in his signature automobile."-Palm Beach Post "I don't think there was a better time and place to be a teenager than in Florida in the 1950s. It was such a magical place. Elvis is part of what contributed to that excitement."-Bob Graham, former Florida governor and United States senator "Kealing tells us the story of what happened when Elvis arrived in Florida and what role the Sunshine State played in his life and musical career. This is a critical era in the Elvis Saga."-William McKeen, editor of Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay: An Anthology "A Florida-centric look at his 1956 breakout state for people who thought they knew everything about Elvis."-Joel Selvin, author of Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock's Darkest Day "Presents a great picture of what it was like to be a touring musician in the 1950s and also of Florida at the time and how the culture was changed by the shock of Elvis."-Joy Wallace Dickinson, author of Remembering Orlando: Tales from Elvis to Disney It was his most electric and influential time as a live performer. The young and hungry Elvis burst onto stages large and small-sexy, controversial, brimming with talent and ambition. One lightning-hot year in Florida fueled his rise from novelty act to headlining megastar. Elvis Ignited tracks the rising star through his tours of Florida, from 1955 when Presley was an unknown to 1956 when Presley played more concerts in Florida than in any other state. In only fifteen months, Presley toured Florida four times, becoming the object of worship, scorn, and controversy. Struck by a new kind of music and performances so different from anything they had known before, Floridians saw how special Elvis was before the rest of the world caught on. Before their very eyes, he transformed from Hillbilly Cat to the King of Rock and Roll. Bob Kealing interviews people who saw the King up close, recalling the time-stands-still memories of hearing his iconic songs for the first time. He speaks with Floridians who helped Elvis along the way: the late Jim Kirk from Ocala, who offered Presley his first headlining opportunity; former governor and U.S. senator Bob Graham, who saw the young rockabilly god at the dawning of Elvis mania; Steve Binder, who produced Presley's '68 Comeback Special; and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin, who opened for Presley in Florida. Kealing follows Elvis after his return from the Army to his homecoming TV special in Miami with Frank Sinatra and through the filming of Follow That Dream in Florida in 1961, offering unique insights into the singer's relationship with co-star Anne Helm, his controversial manager Tom Parker, and the beginnings of his melancholy as a prisoner of fame. This book is a roadmap to Elvis's time in the Sunshine State, a guide to the many small and large venues he played up and down the peninsula, and a spotlight on the people who witnessed, supported, and even opposed his meteoric rise to fame. It was a turning point in American music history; it was the arrival of rock and roll.
Cujo
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. π±π
Twinkle Cutlass
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ
All Natural
The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Nacho
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Referee
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Sw00sh
π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
King Bass
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ
Baby Brown
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Mother Night
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
Lilac Lizard
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ
Koi Diva
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
WordWanderer
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
Wild Hair
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality.
Coffee
ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Mr. Fabulous
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Beetle King
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§
Copilot
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Cardinal Rebel
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Fiend Oblivion
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Burst Nibbler
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience