Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb

by Matthew Hild Narrated by Adam Hanin

Overview

Andy Gibb was one of the biggest pop stars of the disco era. His first three singles-“I Just Want To Be Your Everything,” “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water,” and “Shadow Dancing”-reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 during 1977-78, and he became a fixture on television specials, appearing alongside legends such as Bob Hope, George Burns, and Dean Martin. In 1981, he became the co-host of the iconic Solid Gold television series, and a year later he starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway. But despite his enormous success, he battled with insecurity, depression, and substance abuse, causing his career to flounder and leaving him bankrupt by 1987. By then, he seemed ready to start anew and launch a comeback, but he died suddenly in 1988, five days after his thirtieth birthday.

Despite the tragic brevity of his career and life, Andy Gibb still has a strong fan base around the world, but his story has never been told-until now. Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb draws upon extensive research, rare archival interviews with Andy Gibb and members of his family, and interviews conducted by the author with nearly fifty of Andy's friends and associates to examine the life and career of this beloved pop idol.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

08/12/2022

Historian Hild (Georgia Tech and the Univ. of West Georgia; Arkansas's Gilded Age) masterfully recreates Andy Gibb's career and personal life through extensive research (there is a 13-page bibliography) and interviews with family, friends, and associates in this first-ever full biography. Andy Gibb (1958–88) was a star—a shooting star who became famous quickly but burned out just as fast. As the younger brother of Bee Gees members Barry, Robin, and Maurice, Andy always felt in their shadow and wanted to join their group. That never happened, but he went on to become a successful solo artist with hit recordings ("I Just Want To Be Your Everything"; "Shadow Dancing"), and amassed a huge fan base partially due to his boyish good looks. But despite success, he battled insecurity, depression, and drug addiction and never got over his break-up with actress Victoria Principal. He hosted TV's Solid Gold and starred on Broadway in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat but was fired from both due to cocaine-related absences. In 1985, he got clean at the Betty Ford Center but restarting his career proved nearly impossible. He died bankrupt in 1988 at 30. VERDICT A sad but compelling cautionary tale that fans of Andy Gibb, the Bee Gees, and classic rock will want to read.—Rosellen "Rosy" Brewer

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178362389
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	02/07/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged