The Beat of My Own Drum: A Memoir
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The Beat of My Own Drum: A Memoir Hardcover – September 2, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Extraordinary…Sheila E. has produced a standout celebrity memoir…In what is ultimately an inspiring story of survival over adversity and fulfilling her potential as an artist, Escovedo’s disarming honesty, humble nature, and level-headed sweetness are the memoir’s steady beat.” (Publishers Weekly (starred))
"Candid and uplifting." (Kirkus)
"Engrossing...the memoir has an arresting rhythm...after reading Sheila E.'s moving and restorative story, you will have an even greater appreciation for her as an artist and as a woman." (Essence.com)
"Candid and uplifting." (Kirkus)
"Engrossing...the memoir has an arresting rhythm...after reading Sheila E.'s moving and restorative story, you will have an even greater appreciation for her as an artist and as a woman." (Essence.com)
About the Author
Emmy and Grammy Award–nominee Sheila E. is one of the most talented percussionist/drummers in the world, performing and/or recording with Prince, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Con Funk Shun, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Ringo Starr, Hans Zimmer, and countless others. She maintains a heavy involvement in charitable organizations as a philanthropist by promoting music and arts education as an alternative form of therapy.
Wendy Holden is an author of more than thirty books, nine of which were international bestsellers. She also worked as a journalist for eighteen years.
Wendy Holden is an author of more than thirty books, nine of which were international bestsellers. She also worked as a journalist for eighteen years.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
Sam M
on September 8, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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As a long time fan (since The Glamorous Life era), I was excited to purchase this and get some more insight into Sheila E's life and creative process. It's a very easy, fast read, although the writing is a bit amateurish as you'd expect from an autobiography (but this one has a co-author!). If you are exclusively looking for details on her professional and personal relationship with Prince, it's not worth the money (very little new info revealed here), but there are some interesting tidbits: her playing on MJ's "Don't stop til you get enough"; her romantic relationship with Carlos Santana; a bit of info on how her niece, Nicole, came to be adopted by Lionel Richie and his then wife; the physical toll her playing had on her in the late '80's. All in all, a good overview of the life and talent of this amazing percussionist/performer.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By
taranote
on September 5, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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Sorry, this will be kind of long:-(
Okay, so let me start by saying that growing up, I was the BIGGEST Sheila E. fan! Anyone in my family could tell you this. We're talking posters, every magazine she was in, every tv program I knew she would be on, I was there; saw Krush Groove a million times and knew all the lines (my family hated me:-)) I had no idea why, that's the thing. I mean, with the exception of Glamorous Life (which I love) I wasn't even a big fan of her music (but I bought it because it was her). But it was something about when I saw the video for GL and saw that the woman singing it was playing the drums, I was in awe. Fast forward twenty something years later, I found out that Sheila and her family were having this big show in Oakland to celebrate her parents' 50th (I think) wedding anniversary. I took the money I'd been saving for something else and bought a ticket to the show, a rt plane ticket from NY and booked a hotel & rented a car. I was going! By myself!!
On the night of the event, I had a brief encounter with my idol when she walked past me. She was pleasant, but I couldn't wait till after the performance to hopefully get a picture with her. The show was great, she and her family were amazing! I decided to take a taxi to the event to avoid parking, so while I was waiting for the taxi to pick me up, I struck a conversation with two local women. They were amazed that I'd flown all the way there for this experience and were sad for me that I didn't really get to tell Sheila how big a fan I was and get a picture with her. Well, my taxi was late and Sheila's manager walked out and after the ladies asked on my behalf if I could meet Sheila, she said Sheila had gone home. I was disappointed, but oh well. A few minutes later, an angel walked out. It was Sheila's mother!Read more ›
Okay, so let me start by saying that growing up, I was the BIGGEST Sheila E. fan! Anyone in my family could tell you this. We're talking posters, every magazine she was in, every tv program I knew she would be on, I was there; saw Krush Groove a million times and knew all the lines (my family hated me:-)) I had no idea why, that's the thing. I mean, with the exception of Glamorous Life (which I love) I wasn't even a big fan of her music (but I bought it because it was her). But it was something about when I saw the video for GL and saw that the woman singing it was playing the drums, I was in awe. Fast forward twenty something years later, I found out that Sheila and her family were having this big show in Oakland to celebrate her parents' 50th (I think) wedding anniversary. I took the money I'd been saving for something else and bought a ticket to the show, a rt plane ticket from NY and booked a hotel & rented a car. I was going! By myself!!
On the night of the event, I had a brief encounter with my idol when she walked past me. She was pleasant, but I couldn't wait till after the performance to hopefully get a picture with her. The show was great, she and her family were amazing! I decided to take a taxi to the event to avoid parking, so while I was waiting for the taxi to pick me up, I struck a conversation with two local women. They were amazed that I'd flown all the way there for this experience and were sad for me that I didn't really get to tell Sheila how big a fan I was and get a picture with her. Well, my taxi was late and Sheila's manager walked out and after the ladies asked on my behalf if I could meet Sheila, she said Sheila had gone home. I was disappointed, but oh well. A few minutes later, an angel walked out. It was Sheila's mother!Read more ›
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
Duane Tudahl
on September 3, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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Just downloaded my copy and I'm really enjoying it. Thank you for sharing your story with us Sheila. It is a pretty amazing tale of a pretty amazing person. It covers her time with Prince, but that is only part of her story. Painful at times and optimistic in other sections, it is a rollercoaster ride worthy of your time. Great book and I highly recommend it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
danyg27
on September 22, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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A very honest and forthright read. I knew Sheila and she knew me from back in the day and I would run into her every now and then and the last time was @ Yoshi's in Oakland. She mentions so many places and names of people that was the circle we ran in. The Godinez family was one I had personal relationships with and was the musical family she mentioned along with the the Floreses & Guzmans. When she mentions how she was molested and raped it had a familiar sad vibe to it for I too was molested by a cousin although I was'nt raped he still robbed me of my innocence. I found out later that I wasn't the only cousin he made do sexual acts either. I turned to the arts as well and now teach dance to children which for me has been my therapy and for the kids as well. Her book is a great inspiration for anyone who wants to know how someone can rise above the harsh challenges that life presents itself to. I applaud her for her honesty and the realization that she could be better even when she was misguided by her fame or fears. She's right about her loving family and in so many ways they were her saving grace and of course her music. I loved her mom Juanita who I used to visit after taken classes at the Oakland Ballet in that health food store she worked at across the street. I remember at the Greek theater way back then, how she told the security guard that I was her son so he'd let me in. I saw Zina, Juanita, Pete & sons play 3 years ago on New Year's Eve with Angela Davis in the house @ Yoshis and they are still that tight loving family, I believe Sheila was on tour. But the book, Sheila's "The Beat Of My Own Drum" is the book to read and I'm not saying it because I know her and the family. This truly is a great read and she had a great collaboration with Wendy Holden to express herself...Thank You Sheila for sharing your story and for all your heart-felt help with your work and love...Daniel Giray
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
D. Hudson
on September 6, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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This memoir is about love. Love of music. Love of family. Love of God and loving yourself after being broken by wicked acts. Sheila's story is poignant at times, honest and respectful. If you're looking for a tell-all-book about a love affair with Prince, look elsewhere. Sheila does not "dish" on her relationships with world-famous superstars. She discusses her feelings, keeping the most private details private. I respect her for that. She wasn't out for attention in writing this book. She wanted to tell her story of a vibrant and colorful childhood, filled with music and the love of a close family. She writes about her entrance into the world of professional musicianship at a very young age and to explain what she learned along the way. She also writes of her painful and horrific experience of sexual assault and her journey to healing. If you love Sheila E, this book will make your adore her!
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