Florida's Famous & Forgotten
by Kurt "King of the Oldies" Curtis
Softcover, (2) Book Set with over 1024 pages

Think back to those teenage years, when everyone looked forward to Friday night dances, hanging out with friends, and listening to the latest 45s recorded by popular singers and spun by favorite DJs.

As the years pass, it's harder to remember the song title, artist, group or even the name of favorite dance clubs. Kurt "King of the Oldies" Curtis, radio DJ, grand Mixmaster, and rock, soul and dance music connoisseur, made documenting the history of Florida music his life's work. His passion produced Florida's Famous & Forgotten: An Illustrated Encyclopedia History of Florida's Rock, Soul & Dance Music, The First 30 Years: 1955-1985.

Famous & Forgotten chronicles the years of the struggling Florida garage bands and singers looking for their big break and the recording studios and producers looking to sign talent.

K.O.T.O. spent the last 21 years of his life researching and compiling the careers of Florida's musical greats and obscure. He explored the venues of the artists and the places they performed. With discographies, biographies and histories, Famous & Forgotten is the most comprehensive compilation of Florida's rock n' roll era. Musician photos, top charts, flyers, posters and other memorabilia—many from the author's personal collection—scattered throughout the 1,000-plus pages resurrect memories long-forgotten. Cross references, footnotes and additional indexes chronicle how groups, artists, studios and venues touched, influenced and intertwined with each other.

It's an entertaining read, threaded with fascinating trivia, recording industry drama, and knowledgeable and humorous observations by K.O.T.O.

Who sang "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo?" Who were the members of K.C. and the Sunshine Band? With which group did Ray Charles get his big break? Who sang the theme song for Charles in Charge TV show? What was The Miami Sound? Why were there two Mercy bands at the same time singing the same single? Where did disco originate? What Sarasota radio station, with its Surf Row Radio, charted more Florida artists and groups than any other station?

Tom Petty, Jim Morrison, Steve Alaimo, .38 Special—even James Brown, Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones experienced career-altering inspiration and events in the Sunshine State.

K.O.T.O.'s Famous & Forgotten celebrates Florida's contribution to an important era in music evolution and, when possible, gives updates and whereabouts for these groups, individuals and locales.

Elusive song titles, forgotten artists, old record labels and recording studios can all be resurrected with a trip through this two-volume edition.

Famous & Forgotten is a must-have for music enthusiasts, record collectors, libraries and Florida history buffs.

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