SHAME, SHAME ON THE JOHNSON BOYS!

by Joel Oliansky ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 17, 1965

It's one big hootenanny. All the folks are here, the good, the bad, the pure, the bitter, the true. Half Dead Hawkins is the classic primitive (discovered in jail) currently being exploited by his manager; Merle Conroy is the ex-con but noble soul who doesn't go for the public image--he's a purist. Then there are the Johnson Boys, a trio who are busy building their public image a la The Kingston Trio. They include Gil Quigley, unofficial top cat who just came out of the army equipped with banjo and a voice ""like old Vachel Lindsay poems"" and his slightly neurotic partners Dave and Ben. Ever present in the audience is Sonia Brietbart, self-annointed nymphomaniac (""My wonderful bitched up body that goes on and on without me"") who has made it with the whole trio and is currently working on Gil--""seduction by electrical transmission."" Her refrain occasionally goes like this- ""My darling, darling Johnson Boys, your finkiness is awesome."" Mr. Oliansky seems to know his subject and if this is the way the life is, don't buy your daughter that guitar for Christmas. It's interesting, very readable and you don't have to look for an audience...just follow the music.

Pub Date: Feb. 17, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1965

Categories: FICTION