The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton

Book 10 of Book a Day January.  Yes, I'm a little behind.  I had some home stuff to handle Tuesday and Wednesday evening that took precedence.    

This is the adult selection for All CT Reads 2023.  Last night I attended the state-wide launch for this year's program and heard from the author Dawnie Walton about her process and motivation.  As a Black female punk rock fan, she wanted to write about a Black female rock icon.  The entire recorded webinar will be available to view in a few days on the CT State Library website.  The Teachers and Friends Book Club have made this their selection for March.  Since I'm moderating, I get to choose the restaurant.  I am actually thinking of having our meeting be at a local music venue to hear a local singer of band. 

Opal and Nev were a 70s rock duo: an unlikely combo of a gritty, tall, bald Black woman from Detroit and a scrawny White man from England.  I kept picturing them as Tina Turner mixed with a little Cher and Paul McCartney mixed with a little Liam Gallagher (Oasis).  In 2016 Sunny Shelton decides to interview Opal and Nev as they contemplate a reunion show for her magazine and possible book deal (really got some 7 Husbands vibes from this).  Sunny is the daughter of Opal and Nev's drummer Jimmy, with whom Opal had a known affair.  Jimmy was killed during race riot that erupted at a music festival.  Opal and Nev performed, as did their label's rival band.  Said rival band hangs a Confederate flag up before their performance, which Opal then protests.  A single picture taken as Opal and Nev leave the festival becomes their infamous historical image.  

As I was reading this, I was strongly reminded of VH1's Behind the Music.  The story is told in alternating bits from the characters: Opal, Nev, their label owner and producer, former band mates, Opal's stylist, Opal's sister, etc.  I also was casting it in my head, and I'm pretty sure we will see this in visual format someday.  I thought of Sweetwater and Eddie & The Cruisers as model pieces.  One of the questions I intend to pose is who should play Opal and Nev, past and present.

A reminder all opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.