The Unexpected Salami

April 1, 1998
%% This is a multi-book review: SEE also the title "The Winter Dance Party Murders." %% Two staged deaths and a rock-'n'-roll theme link these two light comedies set in different eras.Rudy Keen sees his future writ large in his uncle Myishkin's butcher shop and immediately bolts for greener pastures. Ostensibly taking violin lessons, Rudy is actually spending his days at the Brill Building, a mecca for would-be songwriters. On the strength of his first record, the sexually suggestive "Bop-Sha-Bop," he's booked on a tour with Buddy Holly, Dion, Bobby Darin, and other noted '50s musicians. Rudy is soon up to his blue-suede shoes in payola and shady record contracts. Scariest of all, he stumbles onto a massive conspiracy that took the lives of many rock legends, including Sam Cooke and Gene Vincent. What's more, he ends up playing nursemaid to Buddy Holly, who not only survived the plane crash but went on to take over John Lennon's spot in the Beatles. Herriges' far-fetched novel is spiced with a certain comic zest and offers a tasty helping of rock nostalgia. For a less paranoid take on the era, try Jim Dodge's energetic and inventive "Not Fade Away" (1987).Shapiro's more contemporary comedy features Rachel Gannelli, who's enjoying a lark in Australia rooming with a rock band. Then their heroin-addicted drummer, Stuart, is gunned down during a video shoot, the band is in the news every night, and Rachel is summoned home to Manhattan and out of harm's way. There she espies none other than Stuart himself ordering a tuna sandwich at the local deli, and she gets a quick lesson in how far an aging band is willing to go to drum up some publicity. Drawn back into the band's inner circle, Rachel helps Stuart detox and resumes her quasi romance with bassist Colin. This is a charming romantic comedy with some very witty send-ups of key aspects of the rock-music world, including groupies, record-company executives, and a fading rock icon. Deftly done. ((Reviewed April 1, 1998))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1998, American Library Association.)