Synopses & Reviews
I Got a Name: The Jim Croce Story is an unforgettable, bittersweet, and deeply personal biography of the talented songwriter that captures the rise of the burgeoning counterculture of the '60s and early '70s.
Written in the honest, clear voice of Jim Croce's widow and singing partner Ingrid Croce, along with musician and writer Jimmy Rock, the book vividly re-creates the days when young, talented musicians were not sought out by slick television shows but had to hone their craft in dive clubs and deal with the constant realities of supporting themselves in any way possible. It also shows the intimate, behind-the-scenes details of what went into becoming a "folk music" legend, as well as encounters with buddies Arlo Guthrie, Jimmy Buffet, and other troubadours.
But the heart of this tale is the ballad of Jim and Ingrid, a love story that is touching in its heartfelt innocence, even as Ingrid deals with the temptations of the touring musician's lifestyle that Jim was unable to resist. Like Jim Croce's songs, I Got a Name is a book for everyone who loves music, especially those who want to truly understand Croce's unique gifts and the magic that has caused his songs to endure for more than forty years.
Review
Kirkus Reviews, 7/1/12and#147;Jim Croceand#8217;s widow finally opens up about living, loving, and making music with her late pop-star husband.... For almost forty years, fans curious about Jim have had to satisfy themselves with his wonderful songs, but now we have a more complete picture of the man behind the music. A deeply candid look into the life and times of a talented artist.and#8221;
Library Journal, 7/1/12
and#147;Ingrid paints a loving yet honest and revealing picture of his musical career and their life together.... More memoir than biography, the book is better for this intensely personal perspective.... An unflinchingly personal portrait.... A heartfelt, compelling read: recommended.and#8221;
Kingman Daily Miner, 6/17/12
and#147;This is a well written, thought out, and moving story, which is well worth reading. A five star book, which includes many lyrics, you can hum as you read them.and#8221;
Bookworm Sez
and#147;Authors Ingrid Croce and Jimmy Rock give this story a deeply personal spin, with insight to the singer, his songs, and the times in which he lived.and#160;Fansand#151;particularly those who crushed on Croceand#151;will still enjoy this book and the memories that come with it.and#8221;
Portland Book Review, 7/9/12
and#147;This passionate and revealing book is recommended to anyone who wishes to pursue a life in the music industry, or anyone involved with a person doing so.and#8221;
San Diego Union-Times, 7/15/12
and#147;As heartfelt as it is sometimes wrenching, I Got a Name is both a loving homage and a no-holds-barred examination of the late Jim Croce.and#8221;
BackstageAxxess, 7/15/12
and#147;The book is so well written that even persons completely unfamiliar with Croce's music (if that is possible) will still find it a wonderfully moving story.and#8221;
Houston Press, 7/16/12
and#147;An insightful look at the denim-jacketed/handlebar-mustachioed man and his musicand#133;[A] book length look at Jim Croce is welcome and long overdue, and few would argue that anyone knew him better than this tome's co-author. "
Buffalo News, 7/29/12
and#147;A portrait of a man who set most responsibilities aside to devote every waking hour to his musicand#133;.reads like diary entries but overall lends revealing insight into the struggle to the top and the subsequent pressure to stay thereand#133;and the machinations of the recording business, especially from an all-too-familiar cheat-the-artist standpoint, are eye-opening.and#8221;
San Diego Downtown News, 8/07/12
and#147;Readers will find Jim and Ingrid Croce imperfect at times, but also passionate, driven and real human beings. As such, their story is as simple as it is complicated, endearing, and at times surprisingly revealing; but their lives are always relatable and their story is captured with honesty and a great deal of love."
American Profile, 8/12/12
"This insightful biography, written by the woman who knew him bestand#151;the teenage sweetheart who later became his wifeand#151;shines a candid, illuminating spotlight on [Jim Croce]."
Lockport Union Sun and Journal, 8/5/12
and#147;[A] deeply moving memoirand#133;A wonderful read for fans of Jim Croceand#8221;
Spartanburg Herald Journal, 8/19/12
and#147;An unforgettable, bittersweet and deeply personal biography of the talented songwriter.and#8221;
Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/7/12
and#147;[A] candid and engrossing new book.and#8221;
San Francisco Book Review, 10/17/12
and#147;The book is very well done. A lot of thought, love, and time went into I Got a Name.and#8221;
Synopsis
A personal memoir of the bestselling, legendary singer and guitarist Jim Croce, told by those who knew him best
Synopsis
Jim Croce, singer-songwriter of the #1 hits
Bad Bad Leroy Brown and
Time in a Bottle, was at the height of his career when his life was cut short in a plane crash while on tour. Just 30 years old on September 20, 1973, Jim was revered by an adoring audience for his gentle melodies and everyman demeanor.
Now, for the first time, this memoir reveals the man behind the denim jackets and signature mustache, a hard-working, wry charmer who was also beset with exhaustion at the sheer magnitude of his own success. I Got a Name, told with full access to everyone who knew and loved Jim Croce, is at once a revealing portrait of a great artist and a moving love story.
Synopsis
Singer-songwriter Jim Croce was at the height of his career with No. 1 hits and#147;Bad, Bad Leroy Brownand#8221; and and#147;Time in a Bottleand#8221; when his life was cut short on September 20, 1973. Just thirty years old when his plane crashed while on tour, Croce was revered by an adoring audience for his gentle melodies and everyman demeanor. Now, for the first time, this biography reveals the man behind the denim jackets and signature mustache: a hard-working, wry charmer who was also beset with exhaustion at the sheer magnitude of his own success.
I Got a Nameandmdash;told by Croceand#8217;s widow, Ingrid, with full access to everyone who knew and loved the singerandmdash;is at once a revealing portrait of a great artist and a moving love story.
About the Author
Ingrid Croce is an artist, entrepreneur, restauranteur, singer-songwriter, and the author of
Thyme in a Bottle, an autobiographical cookbook,
The Jim Croce Anthology songbook,
The San Diego Restaurant Cookbook, and
Photographs and Memoriesandmdash;Recipes from Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar (crocesparkwest.com). She lives in San Diego and is married to her coauthor.
Jimmy Rock is a musician, writer, and attorney.