Finding My Father * One Man's Search For Identity

by Rod McKuen

Signed. Dust cover rubbed.

Genres: Autobiography, Nonfiction

253 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Rod McKuen (born April 29, 1933) was a bestselling American poet, composer, and singer, instrumental in the revitalization of popular poetry that took place in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Born Rodney Marvin McKuen in Oakland, California, McKuen ran away from home at the age of eleven to escape an alcoholic stepfather and to send what money he could to his mother. After a series of jobs, from logger, ranch hand, railroad worker to rodeo cowboy, throughout the west, McKuen began in the 1950s to excite audiences with his poetry readings, appearing with such well-known poets as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg; during this time, he often used the pseudonym "Dor".

McKuen moved to New York City in 1959 to compose and conduct for the TV show The CBS Workshop. By the 1960s he had achieved fame, far surpassing in sales the works of the Beat poets who preceded him. During the early 1960s he spent most of his time in France. This began his project to translate the work of legendary singer/songwriter Jacques Brel, into English. After Brel died he said, "As friends and as musical collaborators we had traveled, toured and written - together and apart - the events of our lives as if they were songs, and I guess they were. When news of Jacques’ death came I stayed locked in my bedroom and drank for a week. That kind of self pity was something he wouldn’t have approved of, but all I could do was replay our songs (our children) and ruminate over our unfinished life together."[1]

He became an icon across college campuses for his ability to capture in verse the feelings of anxiety, love, confusion, and hope that were common during the Vietnam era. His public readings had the drawing power of a rock concert.

McKuen's commercial success is unparalleled in the field of modern poetry. His poetic works have been translated into a dozen languages and sold over 65 million copies. Throughout his career he has continued to enjoy sell-out concerts around the world and appears regularly at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.

Edward Habib's liner notes for McKuen's Amsterdam Concert album make the often-repeated claim that Rod McKuen is the best-selling and most widely read poet of all time. This claim is probably rooted in the fact that McKuen's works -- unlike those of Shakespeare or Dante Alighieri -- are copyrighted, and his total sales can be more readily quantified.

As a songwriter, he contributed to the sale of over 100 million records. His material has been recorded by such artists as Frank Sinatra (who in 1969 recorded A Man Alone, an album of McKuen's songs), Johnny Cash who (just before his death) recorded McKuen's "Love's Been Good To Me", Waylon Jennings, The London Philharmonic, Greta Keller, Perry Como, and Madonna. Perhaps his most well-known song is "Jean", recorded by Oliver in 1969 for the soundtrack to the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. In 1959, McKuen released a novelty single on the Brunswick label called "The Mummy". Bob Mcfadden and Dor was listed as the artist.. In 1961, he had a hit single titled "Oliver Twist".. McKuen has proven to be a prolific songwriter, penning over 1500 songs. He collaborated with a variety of internationally renowned composers, including Henry Mancini and John Williams, and a highly successful series of albums with Anita Kerr. His symphonies, concertos, and other classical works have been performed by orchestras around the globe. His work as a composer in the film industry has garnered him two Academy Award nominations.

Throughout his multi-award-winning career, McKuen paired his artistic endeavors with a spirit for social reform. Before a tour of South Africa in the 1970s, McKuen demanded “mixed seating” among white and black concert-goers, opening the doors for successful tours by a variety of African-American performers, including Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald. He also spearheaded efforts to raise AIDS awareness and fund charities for children and senior

Reviews

[Jessaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

He was a bastard, his mother said. Still, hey ask questions about his father, but his mother would never say a word. In later years he learned that maybe his father was a salesman or maybe she was raped. Maybe they loved each other and just wouldn't get married. Whoever the man was. He had to know. So when he became famous and had the money he searched for his father for a very long time.

It was his stepfather who was the real bastard. He was mean, he was vicious, rod kept running away from home And When he got to where he was going, he found work. But the law caught up with him and sent him home. Once he was even sent to a reform school.

It was in 1961 when I met my 1st husband. His mother moved him away and soon I followed. I was also writing poems at the time, even in earlier years. When Dwayne was Leaving I wrote this poem.dot. As you go your way, and I go mine, Remember, I will love you til The end of time. And even after that my dear, for these words you will always hear. We have a love so good and true, even after death I will still love you.

Young love Can be so innocent.We divorced and I moved to Berkeley and I went to San Francisco state university. I took a creative writing course. I handed in this poem and some of my other poems. The professor called me up to her desk and said. You WRITE like ROD MCKUEN. Her tone made me think that something was wrong with that, perhaps his poetry is simple
perhaps it rhymes and that is what is wrong with it. She wanted me to write more abstract. I tried riding abstract, I received a B. in that class, and I know for sure that ROD would have received an A. plus. But then again, maybe not from her for she liked ALLEN GINSBERG.

[Phair · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the author died earlier this year I was saddened. He was so much a part of my college days. I had many of his albums and his poetry, although often dismissed by critics, spoke to me in those days. He wrote of longing and loneliness and the ongoing search for "something" just out of reach. He also spoke of the beauty of nature to be found even in city streets. His words evoked all the senses and his raspy voice was soothing. I was surprised at how well this memoir flowed. There was none of the ego that shows in so many celebrity memoirs. Naturally most of the book was about his long-term search to find his biological father until he finally found an answer that satisfied him. So much has changed since 1976. "Bastard" children are almost the norm these days and no longer the stigma they were in decades past. I do wonder if he ever resorted to DNA testing to be certain if his answer was really correct. Besides his music and poetry he was involved in many causes from animal rights to adoptee rights, women's rights, gay rights. And the array of people among his friends was broad and unexpected. This paperback edition included revisions since the first publication.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES YES YES
Mckuen has a wonderful line in this book, "bastards are made, not born."
as a kid "w/out" a father he suffered for his father's action at the hands of others. powerful book

[Michael Hopf · Rating 4 out of 5]

McKuen has emerged recently as one of my favorite poets. Such an interesting voice, and a voice I can understand completely with little to no effort. This made me laugh and cry. A man’s search for his father becomes something so much more. Epic!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tall tales.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first non-fiction books to read as a kid. I know I read the whole thing.

[Kimberly]

This was a true story of Rod's search for his father .... I just found it different from his poetry.