Alumnus Dean Alger '70 has recently released a music biographical book, "THE ORIGINAL GUITAR HERO and THE POWER OF MUSIC - The Legendary Lonnie Johnson, Music and Civil Rights." Dean Alger's new book focuses a different subject realm than his previous political science novels and instead takes a socio-historical take on Lonnie Johnson. Through this novel Alger’s attempts to capture legendary Blues and Jazz musician Lonnie Johnson, a Rock’ n’ Roll pioneer for artist such as T-Bone Walker and B.B. King to Eric Clapton as a metaphor for the "American mosaic." Alger's Book also offers commentary from artist BB King.
Alger's book has received acclaim from critics such as Lawrence Cohn, former Vice President of Columbia/Epic Records and Bill Wyman (former Rolling Stones bass player). Critic Steven C. Tracy, Professor of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts described Alger's novel as:
"Fascinatingly readable, the book goes even further in that it places Johnson in the broadest context of American culture of the 20th century, seeing him rightly not only as a trailblazer and pervasive influence on a variety of musical genres—jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, country, rock, and folk—but as an important symbol of race relations, racial understanding, and racial progress in the American century. If this volume doesn’t bring Johnson his rightful place in American musical and historical discussions, and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then grits ain’t groceries and Mona Lisa was a man.”
Alger is also the author of five other Political Science based novels including, "The Media and Politics," "ROSSTALK - Citizens, Candidates and Media in a Presidential Campaign," and "MEGAMEDIA - How Giant Corporations Dominate Mass Media, Distort Competition and Endanger Democracy."
Read More on Alger's Website.
