Fifty years after his first book on Jesus Christ Superstar, Ellis Nassour returns to the world of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to complete the fascinating story of how the recording of Jesus’ last six days on earth pushed boundaries in the world of rock – and eventually become a worldwide phenomenon, not only on record but also stage and screen.
Nassour goes behind the scenes to show the evolution of two young English writers and their success with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to a controversial 45rpm record that just wouldn’t fly out of music bins, but which became their equally controversial rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. He explores not only the frustrations and pitfalls, but also the breakthrough to a mega-selling album, concert tours, much-hyped and controversial Broadway and Los Angeles stagings, and a blockbuster film (celebrating its 50th anniversary). With never-before-seen B&W and color photos, new interviews, and costumes and scenic sketches, Superstar presents a detailed account of the rock opera from 1969–1973 to today – where it continues to be beloved around the world.
Ellis Nassour is an international arts journalist and playwright, a veteran of the New York Times and New York Daily News and former director of artist relations at MCA Universal Pictures/MCA Music. He worked closely with Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber from the earliest stages of the rock opera and later was an assistant to casting director Michael Shurtleff on the official concert tours, and Broadway and Los Angeles productions. He is the author of the bestselling biography Honky Tonk Angel – The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline — the first on the legendary singer (in print 40 years and counting); and Rock Opera: The Creation of Jesus Christ Superstar, from Record Album to Broadway Show and Motion Picture.
