by Bill Kinison and Steve Delsohn
Hardcover, 315 pagesPublished May 1st 1994 by William Morrow & Co (first published 1994) Original TitleBrother Sam: The Short, Spectacular Life of Sam KinisonISBN0688126340 (ISBN13: 9780688126346)
Sam Kinison is a name that has always lingered in my mind since my days growing up in the church. My grandfather was an Apostolic Pastor and I often heard brothers from the church talking about this Sam Kinison fella, a former Pentecostal preacher turned comedian that took God’s name in vain and spoke vile things about the church. In each conversation I overheard, there was the constant threat that with such blasphemy God would seek vengeance. When Kinison died in a freak car accident in 1992, at the height of his career, people from our church agreed that God’s wrath had finally caught up to him.
A few years ago while
at the last standing records store in Fresno; I came across a compilation of
Sam’s stand-up acts and purchased it. I could not stop laughing, funny man
indeed, his God/church jokes are cringe worthy, especially if you grew up in a
strict religious household. Then, on the Joe Rogan podcast I heard Sam’s
brother Bill had wrote a book about him. I searched everywhere and found the
book was out of print. Finally after nearly a year, I purchased the out of
print, first edition, hard cover book of Brother Sam. I read it in a day. Now
on to the review….
Sam Kinison was born
in Yakima, Washington, the son of a fire and brimstone Pentecostal Preacher named,
Samuel Earl Kinison. Preacher Kinison was a controversial man; he believed in
things like the Holy Spirit and its gifts, such as the speaking in tongues, the
interpretation of speaking in tongues, and faith healings. His controversial
ways drew in crowds and also brought in the attention of the leaders of the Church
of God. Bill Kinison, the older brother of Sam, writes of a violent scene
where from the pulpit, Preacher Kinison was removed. The next morning, as Bill
sat looking out their home window, a group of men dressed in black came and
picked up Preacher Sam and took him away. When he returned he told his young
wife and their 4 children that he had been banned from the church and ordered
to leave. Needless, to say all four children of Marie & Sam suffered from
insecurities as children. They lived in an old church house. They were poor,
and often times ridiculed for their lifestyle.
Regardless of their situation,
the church played a huge role in the lives of the Kinison boys. Richard and
Bill would soon follow in their father’s footsteps and become evangelists; Sam
Kinison would also soon follow suit. Up
to this point Sam Kinison had a rather typical religious upbringing but then
something happened that changes the course of his life completely and may very
well be responsible for his unpredictable behavior as an adult. At age three, Sam
is hit by a car and suffers 30% brain damage. Bill writes that once Sam is
brought home from the hospital he looked like his same brother. Although, his
outward appearance was the same, internally he was not.
Before the accident Sam
was a rather quiet child, passive and calm. Bill describes that Sam after the
accident is aggressive and unruly and not calm or in control of his emotions.
As Sam grows he is now prone to mood swings, temper-tantrums, drooling, and
seizures and begins to pack on the weight. Sam also starts wetting his bed and
continues to do so until his early teens. His mother has to cuddle him and hold
him through his attacks.
As Sam grew, he
becomes defiant and is very unhappy. Sam’s
parents’ divorce and Sam and his younger brother Kevin are sent to live with their
mother. His mother cannot control Sam and he runs away from home early on, he
starts to experiment with drugs and alcohol. He also teaches himself to play
the guitar. Throughout, his rather rebellious teenager years, Richard and Bill
become evangelists and soon Sam heeds his calling to the ministry. Despite, his
defiant behavior the church remains a strong foundation for his family.
Eventually Sam attends bible schools and soon becomes an evangelist. Sam
travels with his brothers and begins preaching around the country. His stint of
comedic acts initially comes out during this time. Although, his humor is light
and churchy, it would soon take a raunchy turn.
Sam decides to leave
the church after his first wife cheats on him which makes his insecurities even
worse. Once Sam begins his stand-up act it is not long before he is a hit, and
a controversial one at that. Using church and God as a cornerstone of his
jokes, Sam soon grows a cult following. By the time he makes it to Hollywood,
he is already well known. Despite Sam’s outrageous lifestyle the relationship with
his brothers is a tightly knit bond. Bill eventually becomes his manager and his
younger brother Kevin moves in with Sam. Sam just makes bad choice, after bad
choice. He sleeps and maintains sexual relationships with porn stars and
strippers, is often broke. He drug binges and alcohol binges for days. He squanders
all his money.
Sam Kinison was a
funny man, to that there is no doubt but one could never say he was a decent
man. When I found out his brother wrote the book, I definitely thought that
Bill would sugarcoat the truth and write in a fashion to make his brother Sam
seem like a great moral man that left a legacy of honor. That is not the case at
all. Bill Kinison writes the book in complete truth. He gives the readers the real Sam Kinison
and that is really what makes the book such a great read. It is littered with
beautiful passages that show the Kinison family as an upstanding Christian
family that weathered storms but never swayed from their faith. And then, like
a punch in the gut it shows Sam Kinison, as a diabolical comedian that loves
all things in excess and that has these horrible relationships with women.
It shoves in your face
the real Sam, the drug addict, the lack of responsibility, the vile language and
lack of respect Sam, the party rock star lifestyle, the Sam that carries on a
sexual affair with his fiancé Malika’s sister and the Sam that is quietly still
as insecure as in his childhood. Sam never gets it together.
Bill takes the reader
down every avenue of Hollywood life through Sam’s eyes, all the disappointment,
all the Hollywood elite favoritism and shadiness, all the fun. I recall once
listening to a Howard Stern show where he praised Kinison and had said that Kinison
had just married his beautiful bride Malika and spoke of this marriage between
Sam and hanger-on Malika as a love story.
After reading the book,
that was not the case at all. There was no love between the two, there was no
happily married man or woman, everything in Sam’s life seemed artificial, his
first wife, his second and now his third all used him. Other than the
unconditional love that Sam received from his mother, father and brothers, he
was not endeared by any one woman in his lifetime. Sam endures heartache not only in his romantic
life but also when his young brother Kevin commits suicide; Sam blames himself
for this and never fully recovers.
There is a real fun
edge to the book. To hear of all these 80’s stars and their wild antics was interesting
to read of Motley Crew, Billy Idol and more made the book so intriguing. Sam
truly lived like a rock star, and he was for a brief period of time. He made a
hit record and song with remake “Wild Thing”.
At the end, according
to Bill, Sam was hoping for a mainstream life and wanted to gear his career in
a more acceptable way. Sam had quit using drugs and alcohol as he prepared for
the next chapter to his life. However, Sam never got that chance to see what
could have been. Days after his marriage to Malika, Sam was involved in a
head-on collision and died at the scene. But he didn’t just die, his injuries
were that of a broken neck, a fractured skull, a lacerated heart and a
lacerated small bowel.
Yet, with suffering all those injuries Sam managed to
get out of the car with help from his brother Bill and speak to someone or
something that seemed to be above him and whatever this unknown being was, an
angel or hallucination, no one could see it but Sam Kinision.
In the first
moments after impact Kinison seemed as if he was going to make it, but within
minutes he appeared to know he was about to die.
Witnesses stated that Kinison appeared to be holding a conversation in which he stated, "I don't want to die. I don't want to die."As the conversation continued Sam said, "But why?”Sam said again, “Why Now?”
And finally, Kinison stated, "Okay, Okay, Okay".The last "Okay" was stated in a very gentle and loving manner, as if he were talking with someone he knew, and loved.Sam Kinision died at 38 years old.
I really
enjoyed this book. We will never know who Sam was speaking with in his final moments of life, nor would the accusations I heard as a child, as to his death being a result of God's wrath ever be verified. This book was just what it said it would be, a short, spectacular tale of the life of Sam Kinison the rest is for you to figure out.
Brother Sam has scattered throughout some of Sam’s most brilliant jokes
and stories. I must have looked like a crazy person, because at times I was laughing
out loud while in the break room at work reading this book. Bill wrote a
beautiful tribute and honest till the very end in Sam’s memory. I am glad I was
able to finally obtain a copy and read it. For an interesting read, I suggest
you start looking for it now, as the book is out of print, but worth the
search.
Written &
Reviewed by Anthem Book Review
***********************************************************************
In Tina Fey’s book “Bossypants”
she even dedicates an entire chapter to the lovely Poehler. Every Jordon needs
a Pippin and Tina has found hers in Amy. Maybe some would even beg to differ
and say it is the other way around. Who cares? Seriously, both ladies could exist
without the other and remain just as talented and hilarious alone; but
together, boy, together, their duo is a testament to why raisins and nuts go so
very well together, delightful fate.
Do not expect “Bossypants” to enlighten your path, or reveal a deeper
meaning to life or solve world hunger. No. What it will do is have you laughing
out loud, literally, not figuratively.
After reading Tina Fey’s book, it
seriously made me love her even more. She has been a forever friend of the “gay
male”, not unlike myself, she finds the crudest humor funny and she has such a
priceless loyalty to those she calls friend, also just like me. Tina & I could
so be friends. She is my type of girl; funny, intelligent and loves gays!
This book was so fun to read and
such a great addition to my end of year memoir reads from funny and powerful
females. Next up is Amy Poehler’s Yes, Please. Looking forward to that fun read!
So for a nice laugh and a good
time definitely check out Tina Fey’s “Bossypants”.
I guarantee it will add joy to your life, all 275 pages.
Reviewed By Francine @
anthembookreview
___________________________________________
Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
Photo taken by Francine Ramos.
It is impossible to not be a fan of Drew Barrymore. She
seems like such a relatable person. Through the completion
of this book, I have come to realize that she truly embodies the complete image
of the caterpillar/butterfly metamorphosis; the little lost girl that
transforms into the beautiful-WOMAN!
And if you are still not a Barrymore fan then just pick up
her new book, Wildflower and trust me you will be by the last page. Wildflower is written as small snippets of
Drew’s life and told by her in complete honestly.
Barrymore has never been silent about her tumultuous
relationship with her mother and her mostly absent father. The lack of parental
guidance left her yearning for a family. But in Wildflower she is much
more vivid in explaining what it really felt like to be alone at 14,
emancipated and with little family and searching for more. Barrymore always seemed
to surround herself with good people and friends and hearing her speak of such lovely
relationships that she developed with other actors and actresses and how these
relationship became a sort of family to her is a testament to the character of
Drew.
Throughout the book, she shares epiphanies that utterly changed
her life, from her failed relationships, to the building of her business and Production
Company, Flower FIlms.
Wildflower is full of wisdom and revelations that one can only receive with age.
Wildflower is full of wisdom and revelations that one can only receive with age.
She tells of what led up to her eventually meeting and
falling in love with her husband and finally finding the family she always
dreamt of as a child. She writes of what motherhood created in her and how beautiful
it can be. Wildflower is truly inspirational and told in such “Drew”
fashion, complete with 80’s Valley Girl lingo and that special touch that makes
Drew Barrymore, well, Drew Barrymore.
I honestly learned a few things about myself just by reading
her delightful book. I highly recommend this book; it is a sweet read, complete
with a load of personal and touching images of Drew as mother, wife and friend. I may have forgot to mention that because I was one of the first to purchase this book at the mother-ship Barnes & Noble, my copy was autographed, pretty cool, huh!
Written by Francine Ramos
Anthem Book Review
#smartpeopleread
_____________________________________________________________________
Can I Say: written by Travis Barker & Gavin Edwards
I, like many others, have been a Travis
Barker fan since his days in Blink 182. I followed his career from his brief
stint on reality television, to his many musical endeavors as a drummer. Barker
has an aura about himself that is just intriguing. He is unique, a seemingly quiet
soul that has finally opened up to the world in his new book. Can I Say reveals
the deepest truths about Barker’s life, taking the reader on a journey as
Barker and his friends and family beautifully tell his story.
This is not a typical musician autobiography.
This is an honest look into one of the greatest drummers of our lifetime, a
creative genius and him slowly, revealing his soul, layer by layer. Barker has
dominated the music world, beat by beat through a variety of different genres rap,
punk, R&B and jazz. He is the Jimmy Hendrix of our times. A true drumming god
seated on his famous swivel throne. And yet he is also so much more than that.
Barker can be seen as a roughneck tattooed
punk-rock man on the exterior but Can I Say reveals a fragile all too
human-core that will leave the reader with tenderness in their heart for him. His
life story is beautiful and yet, so very tragic, what this man endured time and
time again is brutal to say the least. The amount of physical pain and loss he
has suffered in life is only soothed by the unconditional love he finds in his
children. (So many parts were difficult to read, I just wanted to hug him.)
The lack of a lasting female role-model
really shapes Barkers future relationships with women. His beloved mother
passes away while Barker is still a teen. His sisters are years older than him and
the woman that soon enters his father’s life leaves no major feminine mark. Barker is so candid about his treatment of females that he
comes across/goes through as he rises to fame. His brutal honesty in what a
woman would do just to be with him is shocking but believable, groupies are
everywhere.
One of the best elements of the book is that
he allows other people from his life to write their thoughts on meeting/working
with him. I mean people that are not famous, to his wife, his bandmates and his
family. This is what is so great about him, is that there doesn’t seem to be a snooty
quality that resides in him. He would
truly greet the busboy as he would the celebrity. I guarantee one will finish this book with a
deeper appreciation for him and his love of music and commitment to his family.
It is gorgeous to read. I went into this book with a crush on him, as I had my
entire life, and I closed it with the love I would have for a family member,
that familial desire to see him succeed and to find peace and maybe to curb his
hunger with a homemade vegan burrito.
I highly recommend this book. It is
enlightening to read that musicians that seem so larger than life are human
just like us and weather storms, and pain and loss and heartbreak and find
solace in what’s important. Can I Say, it is a worthy read, a
top-shelf-keeper-, yes, I can say!
Written by Francine J
Happy Reading!
One of the best women I have ever
had the pleasure of knowing was a huge fan of Terry Crews. Upon watching his
face on television she would gush how much she liked him and how funny she
thought he was. Her sweet laughter would fill the room with joy. She passed away June 13, 2012. There
is not a day that goes by where I don’t wish I could reach out to ask her for
advice or just discuss life with her over a glass of wine. Last week while I
searched for a new Kindle book to read, I was captivated by Terry Crews face
once again and it immediately flooded my mind with memories of her. I wish I
could have shared what I learned about Terry Crews with her but life is not
always fair and earth is no longer graced with her presence. This Friday the 13th
is her third annual memorial, wherever she is in the universe I hope she knows
she is thought of. Hatsumi, this book review is for you. I miss you beyond
words.
Manhood: How to Be a Better Man-or Just Live with One by Terry Crews, 2014, Zinc Ink, Ballantine Books, ISBN 978-0-8041-7805-1
“These were our parents, and
watching them fight was unreal. Big Terry was aptly named, as he seemed like a
giant, his hands the size of bowling balls with calluses that looked
impenetrable. His every step shook the foundation of the house, and his deep
voice filled my little boy heart with fear. My mother was by no means a
shrinking violet. Though, and she could prod, taunt and goad without mercy. “ ~
Terry Crews, portion from Crews book Manhood
Terry
Crews is honest while sharing his childhood memories. I can imagine it must
have been a difficult task to admit the emotional pain both parents inflicted
upon them. With the brutal images he writes about it was difficult for me to
read. There were times his mother was punched in the face, on the floor being
kicked in the stomach while her children stood helpless nearby watching and she
screamed and cried for help. There were moments where alleged infidelities of
Big Terry were announced to his mother’s face by other women in public places
with him and his brother standing nearby.
Crews
writes some pretty amazing life changing themes in the book. This book, I
really enjoyed and I recommend every teenage boy, man, even woman to read. He
really opens the readers mind to an area that for me as a woman I had no idea
men thought that way. Another thing, he allows adults to see up close and
personal the influence we have on a young mind and it does not have to
necessarily have to be one’s children. For
Terry Crews this influence came to him in the form of Coach Lee, his junior high
football coach who pulled him aside one day and gave of the gift of words that
would forever change his life.
“All a kid needs is one good word
from someone he believes. It’s not necessary to have anything more than that.”
~ Terry Crews
Coach Lee told Terry Crews that he had what it
took to get into a division one school and that he had what it took to make it.
After that the seed was sown. Crews held on to these words and it became a
lifeline for whatever he went through in life. Time and time again Crews was
knocked down by the world, tossed defeated looks, told discouraging words, yet
Coach Lee’s words were constantly echoed in his mind giving him the strength to
keep going. There is a section in the book where Crews talks about going to a
University of Michigan football game with a teacher from the school and the
careless words that idiot teacher tells him is nauseating, I couldn’t believe
it. Yet, Crews like the strong man he is refuses to believe the teacher’s
ignorance. Eventually Crews is accepted to a university with an art scholarship.
Turns out the funny actor is an accomplished painter, a true artist. While at
university he excels at football and eventually is given an NFL contract with
the LA Rams. While Crews is playing for the NFL he brings Coach Lee to one of
his games. Lee ends up on the sidelines watching, coaching Crews once again and
Crews couldn’t be happier to pay Coach Lee back for words that changed his
life.
He also meets
his wife during his time in college and to my shock is still married to her.
Over twenty years and in the book one reads that not all the years were
blissful but they continually worked at it and the love between the two only
deepened. This is truly a testament to Crews and his inability to stay down; he
fought his way into a university, into the NFL, and into the entertainment industry
all the while maintaining his relationship with his wife and family. That is
truly admirable.
Crews is
also a Christian and his relationship with God is a big factor in the book.
This book is entertaining, funny, heartwarming and so revealing. I would love
to see this book turned into a movie. It contains all the elements that would
make a great film, complete with a slew of actors that helped Crews up on his
way to stardom. And he is truly a star now. I really respect Crews after reading
this book and have learned so much about him that I never imagined. I am now a
huge fan. He is such a great example of a man that makes mistakes and fixes
them, that holds strong his faith and does not waver, and that never gives up
on his dream. I can understand why Hatsumi was such a fan, for now I am too.
I
encourage you to get the book. It is well worth it. Manhood. It is not only a book with a guide to become a better man but a better human.
Happy
Reading
~Francine
nice review I will read the book thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteyou are an amazing writer. I miss you francine
ReplyDelete