Book review: You Sound Just Like…

Subtitled “Behind the Scenes with 40 Musical Tribute Artists, Sheree Homer’s new book from McFarland publishers is a fascinating look at performers whose careers are an homage to past greats. Often the original star is still alive and active (Stevie Nicks, Cher) but mostly they’ve gone (Buddy Holly, Fats Domino). And, of course, Elvis tribute artists are a veritable cottage industry. Sheree indicates there were as many as 400,000 of them as of 2010.

Sheree Homer is a music historian with several books to her credit. However, she is also too young to have seen some of these stars when they were alive. Hence, she has seen several tribute artists, and in doing so, has generated a knowledge of which ones are the best and most prolific. As she indicates: “I never got to see Elvis Presley or Buddy Holly in person, so it’s a thrill to me when I see a recreation.” Many also feel the same way, and Sheree investigates what makes the best ones so impressive.

One of the first and most interesting portions of the book occurs right away in Sheree’s preface where she explains there is a difference between tribute artists and impersonators: “Impersonators are people who try to sound and look like the icon they are portraying, while a tribute artist doesn’t necessarily look or sound the part, but pays homage to the legendary artist’s song catalog.” Each of the subjects the author discusses are very separate individuals, even if they offer tributes to the same artist.

When an author with this level of knowledge and frame of reference for music writes a book, the information is so deep and fulfilling it can be read for enjoyment first and thereafter be used as a handy reference source.

This recommended book can be ordered here: TRIBUTE ARTISTS