It's simply not often enough that I have the opportunity to alert our readers of a brand new Annette related product, but finally, the long dry spell between such releases has come to an end with the book, Annette Funicello: Tributes from Fans and Friends.
Rita Rose, former president of Annette's international fan club, has compiled the personal memories and reflections of over forty individuals who are related to, have met, worked with or befriended this most likable star. While Annette is famously remembered for being the same person in her daily life as she appears on screen, this book takes you deeper and reveals some of the lesser known dimensions of her character and personality. Find out what it was like to encounter Annette as a fan, to be a guest in her home, to collaborate with her in the recording studio and attend to her on-set or on one of her early promotional tours in the '60s. Some share how they first learned and reacted to the news of Annette's MS diagnosis and the ways they responded to support her as the disease progressed.
Former co-stars, famous friends and acquaintances who pay tribute and share new stories from on and off the film set include: Shelley Fabares, Sharon Baird, David Stollery, Sherry Alberoni Van Meter, Karen Pendleton, Donna Loren, Arlene Sullivan, Lonnie Burr, Bobby Rydell, Luree Nicholson, Salli Sachse, Christopher Riordan, Tommy Kirk, Judy Harriet Richman, Steve Stevens and Connie Francis.
Photos of Annette with her fans and co-stars are scattered throughout, but some real treasures can be found in the back pages of the book where a few rarely seen childhood snapshots are included that originate from the family's own photo collection.
Whether a casual or die-hard fan, if you're familiar with the basics of Annette's public life and career and want to get to know the person she was a little bit more, you'll definitely want to give this book a try. Just be warned, you may come out loving her even more than you did before.
Annette Funicello: Tributes from Fans and Friends
is available now at major online retailers.
OMG Adam, what a beautiful writeup! Thank you so much! It's available at Amazon, where you can donate to Annette's fund, and barnesandnoble.com.
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you! A great reminder to all to please use the Amazon Smile charitable program when purchasing through Amazon.com to support the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases with your purchase.
DeleteI just got Rita's book and I definitely recommend it to ALL Annette fans!
DeleteI was once in Rita's fan club. Victor Davis