I am thrilled to have published this wonderful, rich biography of Annette Funicello that was 16 years in the making.
When Annette was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1997, one of Marc Shapiro's publishers approached us about writing her biography. Marc did the work and conducted a series of original interviews, and then they decided to shelve the book.
When Annette passed away in April (on my birthday), we set about getting the rights back and Marc filled in the missing 16 years in record speed, and with new perspective. This book is his loving tribute to an amazing woman who both defined her time and was a product of it.
During her four decades in the spotlight Funicello literally defined
pop culture, but biographer Shapiro makes clear it was not always an
easy ride. Annette Funicello: America’s Sweetheart looks at her life and
career from all angles all sides, the ups and downs.
Shapiro’s
stories gain power and rare insight through the author’s exclusive
interviews with fellow performers Carl Gardner (of the group The
Coasters), Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, Tommy Sands, songwriter Richard
Sherman and many others from Funicello’s colorful life. The beloved
Disney star and TV and movie icon has told her story before, but it has
never been told this way.
Shapiro takes readers through her early
days as Mouseketeer in the first season of The Mickey Mouse Club.
Chosen for the role in 1955 by Walt Disney himself, she became the most
popular Mouseketeer. She then ushered in a new era of teen-friendly
movie high jinks in the Beach Party movies with her co-star Frankie
Avalon. As a pop singer her biggest hit was 'Tall Paul,' which was a
huge hit in 1959, and 'Pineapple Princess,' which was a big success in
1960.
“If there was a constant in Annette Funicello’s
relationships with men, it was that they were older, inclined to
encourage and yet control,” Shapiro says. “Beginning with her father,
Joseph, through her first big romance with singer Paul Anka, her first
marriage to Jack Gilardi and second to Glen Holt, the common denominator
was that the men encouraged her and, in their own ways, guided her in
personal and professional directions that they felt were best for her.
And Annette, being the good Catholic girl, coming from a very sheltered
upbringing, felt most comfortable with men who would make decisions for
her. This is part and parcel of a 50s and early 60s attitude when young
girls stayed with their parents until they married and then moved in
with their husband. Annette knew as much when, in the wake of her
divorce from Gilardi, she indicated that she might have been a different
person if she had spent some time on her own,” Shapiro adds.
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