Elliott Murphy, legendary rock troubadour and a true pioneer of independent recording artists has finally published his long-awaited memoir, JUST A STORY FROM AMERICA. This rock and roll storyteller, who has been cited by artists as inspirational as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and the late Lou Reed, and whose career now spans nearly five decades, was promoted by Columbia Records in 1977 with a full-page ad in Rolling Stone reading, “He could write a book, but he chose rock and roll instead.” The truth is that he has been doing both for years and in the process achieving international success and acclaim. Finally, his amazing story is told.
In 1973 posters were plastered all over New York City’s subway system proclaiming, “Elliott Murphy is going to be a monster,” when his critically-praised debut album, AQUASHOW, was first released. Perhaps his major label career didn’t take off as predicted, but his unique journey did include him becoming a rock star monster, before ultimately finding redemption in Paris, France with a thriving career, loving family and a trove of rock ‘n roll anecdotes and wisdom to fill this unforgettable and highly readable memoir.
In his honest, gripping and often humorous telling, Elliott describes a childhood of show biz affluence, the tragic loss of a famous father, a European sojourn where he encountered Federico Fellini and a love for the old world, and perhaps most provocatively, his journey through the mine-fields of rock stardom in which he fittingly calls true success in the music business as best measured in terms of survival. From the glam world of 1970’s Manhattan and fabled LA recording studios and on to what was left of swinging London before finally finding his home, love and a faithful public in Europe, Elliott Murphy’s memoir is a valuable addition to a growing essential cultural genre that now includes Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run, Patti Smith’s Just Kids and Bob Dylan’s Chronicles.
JUST A STORY FROM AMERICA takes the reader on an insightful journey into the daunting world of the music business from the unique perspective of an internationally acclaimed artist you may never have heard of, even while songs such as Last of the Rock Stars, Drive all Night, and A Touch of Kindness travelled on radio-airwaves all around the world for decades. A moving and not often heard story told from the perspective of an artist who has gone from celebrity to anonymity and back again and lived to tell the tale.
Elliott Murphy has released over 35 albums of original music since his debut album AQUASHOW (1973) and continues to perform concerts in Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA. He stars in the upcoming feature film, BROKEN POET based upon his 1980’s short story which includes a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. The award winning 2016 documentary, THE SECOND ACT OF ELLIOTT MURPHY was selected for the prestigious Stony Brook Film Festival and his journalism has appeared in Rolling Stone (U.S.), Vanity Fair (France), and other international publications. He is the author of three novels, two poetry books, and numerous short-story collections.
In 2015 Elliott Murphy was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture and in 2018, Billy Joel inducted Elliott into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, stating, “His songs are honest and literate and pure, and those songs have attracted audiences far beyond his country. I’ve long envied his bravery and integrity, and I’ve always admired his lyric skill.”
Elliott Murphy’s latest novel TRAMPS takes place in the legendary 1980’s era New York City blues bar of the same name, where ex-punk musician Hoover has found his muse in the basement standing among the rat poison snorting cocaine with his best friend, bartender and drug dealer Jacky, while trying to make sense of a post-Elvis world, burying himself in the black shawl of the blues and looking for redemption in the rarified uptown elegance of the Frick Collection. Home is a call girl with a heart of gold as the Mafia and nihilism closes in from all sides. TRAMPS is the second in Elliott’s trilogy of rock novels, and his 3rd published novel. Available on Amazon.com and www.elliottmurphy.com.
Elliott’s previous novels include the rock tragicomedy MARTY MAY and the neo-western: POETIC JUSTICE. Other published works include the short story collection PARIS STORIES, and two collections of poetry FORTY POEMS IN FORTY NIGHTS and THE MIDDLE KINGDOM. In a career spanning over 45 years, Elliott has released 36 albums, his most recent being ELLIOTT MURPHY IS ALIVE!
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” an earlier story, has been made into the feature film Broken Poet, starring Elliott Murphy in his first major acting role. Cast members include the legendary Marisa Berenson, Academy Award nominee Michael O’Keefe, and acclaimed French actress Joana Preiss as well as rare cameo appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. The film is directed by award-winning Spanish Director Emilio Barrachina and is scheduled for a Spring 2019 release.
Singer-songwriting superstar Billy Joel is also a fan and in his November 2018 induction of Elliott into the Long Island Music Hall of fame, he said—“I’ve long envied his bravery and integrity, and I’ve always admired his lyric skill” and invited Elliott to join him and his band on stage at Madison Square Garden to sing Walk on the Wild Side by the late Lou Reed, a fellow Long Islander and also an early admirer of Elliott’s music.
In 2015 Elliott Murphy was awarded the Chevalier des arts et des lettres medal by the French minister of Culture.
Elliott Murphy first rose to national prominence with the release of his debut 1973 album Aquashow,
Elliott Murphy’s Has More Concerts, Nov. 15, 16, 17, 23, 24 (Long Island Rock Troubadour Surprises Billy Joel Fans, and Vice Versa)
Billy Joel has been cheerleading for Elliott Murphy for decades.
The two have been spotted together in favorite showcase venues this past week.
On Thursday night, Nov. 8, Billy inducted Elliott and Jimmy Webb into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame at Westbury Space. He said, “His songs are honest and literate and pure, and those songs have attracted audiences far beyond his country. I’ve long envied his bravery and integrity, and I’ve always admired his lyric skill.”
On Saturday night, Nov. 10, Elliott joined Billy live onstage at Madison Square Garden to sing Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.”
Elliott’s tour includes an anticipated performance at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, plus shows in Manhattan, Piermont (Nyack), Port Jefferson, and Amaganset. Tour dates below.
Originally from Garden City, Long Island, Elliott Murphy rose to national prominence with the release of his debut 1973 album Aquashow, when critics declared him, along with Bruce Springsteen, John Prine and Loudon Wainwright III, the new Bob Dylan, even though the original was still only in his mid-thirties. When asked if he considered the “New Dylan” tag to be a curse, Murphy often reminds interviewers that, “… all of us singer-songwriters, who were pushed into that estimable club, seems to be still working. So more than a curse it’s a guarantee of lifetime employment!”
As well as having released over 35 albums in a career spanning 45 years, Elliott Murphy is a prolific writer of fiction with two novels and numerous collections of short stories published in Europe. One of his earlier stories is currently being made into the film Broken Poet and will feature Elliott Murphy in his first major acting role. Cast members include the legendary Marisa Berenson, Academy Award nominee Michael O’Keefe, and acclaimed French actress Joana Preiss. A Spring 2019 release is projected for Broken Poet by award-winning Spanish Director Emilio Barrachina. Elliott’s most recent album, PRODIGAL SON, (Murphyland Records) garnered 4 stars in French Rolling Stone.
In 2015 Elliott Murphy was awarded the Chevalier des arts et des lettres medal by the French minister of Culture.
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ELLIOTT MURPHY U.S. TOUR DATES
November 8 Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Westbury, NY
November 9 My Father’s Place, Roslyn, NY
November 11 Ray’s House Concert, Staten Island
November 13 World Café, Philadelphia, PA
November 15 The Turning Point, Piermont, NY
November 16 The Sail Loft, Port Jefferson, NY
November 17 Rockwood 3 ***5PM Show***
November 23 Stephen Talkhouse, Amagansett, NY
November 24 Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Wash DC
Secret listening link for Elliott’s album: THE PRODIGAL SON:
Elliott Murphy, singer-songwriter and long-time Paris resident, returns to the East Coast this November for an autumn season of touring, events and filming.
Elliott will be inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame on November 8 at a gala ceremony to be held at the Space in Westbury… Long Island, of course. Former inductees of the LIMHOF include Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and Lou Reed.
Originally from Garden City, Long Island, Elliott Murphy rose to national prominence with the release of his debut 1973 album Aquashow, when critics declared him, along with Bruce Springsteen, John Prine and Loudon Wainwright III, the new Bob Dylan, even though the original was still only in his mid-thirties. When asked if he considered the “New Dylan” tag to be a curse, Murphy often reminds interviewers that, “… all of us singer-songwriters, who were pushed into that estimable club, seem to be still working. So more than a curse it’s a guarantee of life-time employment!”
Along with his virtuoso French guitarist Olivier Durand, Elliott Murphy will be performing shows in New York and New Jersey in November along with a highly coveted performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington DC.
As well as having released over 35 albums in a career spanning 45 years, Elliott Murphy is a prolific writer of fiction with two novels and numerous collections of short stories published in Europe. One of his earlier stories is currently being made into the film Broken Poet and will feature Elliott Murphy in his first major acting role. Cast members include the legendary Marisa Berenson, Academy Award nominee Michael O’Keefe, and acclaimed French actress Joana Preiss. A Spring 2019 release is projected for Broken Poet by award-winning Spanish Director Emilio Barrachina. Elliott’s most recent album, PRODIGAL SON, (Murphyland Records) garnered 4 stars in French Rolling Stone.
In 2015 Elliott Murphy was awarded the Chevalier des arts et des lettres medal by the French minister of Culture.
ELLIOTT MURPHY U.S. TOURDATES
November 8 Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Westbury, NY [Duo]
November 9 My Father’s Place, Roslyn, NY [Duo]
November 11 Ray’s House Concert, Staten Island [Duo]
November 13 World Café, Philadelphia, PA [Duo]
November 16 The Sail Loft, Port Jefferson, NY [Duo]
November 17 Rockwood 3 ***5PM Show*** [Duo]
November 18 Drews, Ringwood, NJ [Duo]
November 23 Stephen Talkhouse, Amagansett, NY [Duo]
November 24 Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Wash DC [Duo]
For further information on show dates please visit: www.elliottmurphy.com
The Second Act of Elliott Murphy Trailer w/ Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Willie Nile:
Rolling Stone listed two of Elliott’s albums in their list of 10 Singer-Songwriter Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s You’ve Never Heard: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/10-singer-songwriter-albums-rolling-stone-loved-in-the-1970s-youve-never-heard-77702/elliott-murphy-lost-generation-165711/
Elliott Murphy’s classic 1983 album PARTY GIRLS & BROKEN POETS will be released by MURPHYLAND RECORDS on high-quality 180g Vinyl on 9 March 2018 in Europe and the USA and expect both MURPH THE SURF (1982) and Milwaukee (1986) in re-mastered vinyl editions later this year. Order the vinyl albums at www.elliottmurphy.com/store.
Completely re-mixed from the original analog 24 Track tapes and re-mastered, PARTY GIRLS & BROKEN POETS is ready to be rediscovered by both new and old fans from one of the most original and classic American rock singer-songwriters.
PARTY GIRLS & BROKEN POETS was recorded in New York City at Battery Sound Studios in the shadow of the fallen World Trade Center and features guest appearances by David Johansen (New York Dolls), Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes) and avant-garde saxophonist Peter Gordon. Elliott’s regular band at the time was monumental in itself: Richard Sohl (Patti Smith Group), Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers) and Tony Machine (The Heartbreakers).
PARTY GIRLS & BROKEN POETS
Murphyland ML0002LP
TRACK LISTING
SIDE ONE:
THREE COMPLETE AMERICAN NOVELS
WINNERS/LOSERS/BEGGARS/CHOOSER
DOCTOR CALABASH
BLUES RESPONSIBILITY
SAVING TIME
SIDE TWO:
PARTY GIRLS AND BROKEN POETS
LIKE A ROCKET
LAST CALL
SOMETHING NEW
THE STREETS OF NEW YORK
Critics praised Elliott’s 2017 album, PRODIGAL SON (4 **** Rolling Stone France) which was produced and mixed by Elliott’s son Gaspard Murphy, an outstanding producer in his own right. Gaspard utilized hi-tech procedures to restore the original tapes of PARTY GIRLS AND BROKEN POETS to pristine condition, making it possible for him to re-mix this legendary record using all the modern technology available while keeping the integrity of the original recording.
Also recently released: AQUASHOW DECONSTRUCTED (2016) – a new version of the classic Elliott Murphy album Aquashow (1973) which will surely go down in rock history as an important work from the golden age of rock ’n roll that marked the beginning of a storied musical career that continues strong thirty-five years later.
Elliott will be on tour in the USA in Autumn 2018.
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