THANK YOU!

DECLARATIONS FOR MISTRESSES - IN THE ARCHIVES

For a few years I would post DECLARATIONS FOR MISTRESSES.  This was tied into the title of this blog, MISTRESS MANIFESTO. See that tag below that says Manifesto - Declaration?  If you click on that, it should bring them all up.

PIECES

APRIL KIRKWOOD IS NOT SHY ABOUT PUBLICITY

APRIL KIRKWOOD OFFICIAL SITE

See what's new with  April at her official site.
She is now the author of three books including this one:

IS THREE A CROWD?

APRIL KIRKWOOD SAYS "I WAS HIS OFFICIAL EYE CANDY FOR SURE"

CLASSIC BANDS : APRIL KIRKWOOD INTERVIEW WITH GARY JAMES

This is an extensive interview and article in which April handles some tough questions such as if she was a groupie.

EXCERPTS: 

Q - Your romance with Frankie Vallie began when you were 16?

A- This would be the only flaw in Mr. Valli's character.  He knew me since I was six or seven.  I loved him.  He would pick me up and carry me.  My parents made velvet jackets with banners and hats...   16 ... By then I had my driver's license.  I did not have any sexual feelings for him at all. I go in the back room and of course he lets me in and the hat is there and he walks up to me and he says nothing.  He untangles my necklaces...

Q: He could've been in a lot of trouble.  Did you tell your mother?

A : No. I didn't tell.

***

Q- Who was paying your way on the road?

A - He did.

Q- Did you have an official function with him, say secretary?

A - No.  I was just his official eye candy I'm sure.  You have to remember, I was raised on an actual little chicken farm.  My parents were divorced.  I don't have this Italian daddy.  I get in this world and I;m traveling in this bus.  People, when  you get out, they ask you for your autograph because you're with them.  It was very hard for me to go back and be a normal teenager.

(April went on a summer tour with Frankie Valli but didn't quit high school.)

A LITTLE BIT ME - A LITTLE BIT YOU

APRIL KIRKWOOD ON THE WORST EVENTS THAT SHAKE US UP AND WAKE US UP

SAND AND SNOW : BIG GIRLS DO CRY - FRANKIE VALLI's FORMER FLAME by Karen Locke

EXCERPT : Kirkwood said, "I still love Frankie ...  It's often the worst events that shake us up and wake us up to healing and truth.  I realized I had drunk the Kool-aide of my childhood imprint and I never really knew what love was.  Worst than that, I had created an image I thought men like Frankie desired...

JERSEY BOYS : A THEATRICAL MUSICAL and A FILM

I first saw the film Jersey Boys when it came out and enjoyed it. Rewatching it more recently, I realized it was excellent, surpassing many other biopics of singers and bands.  I haven't seen the theatrical production, but hear it's great entertainment.

The film is about Frankie Vallie and his mates coming of age as Italian-Americans, coming from families who did not have much materially, turning to music instead of crime.  Was being in a band just for fun or a way out of a predictable life? For the band that finds success and fame, it's rarely overnight success.  Hard work and Hope is the key.

Seeing the play on Broadway lead to April Kirkwood writing Big Girls Do Cry.