b. Shelby Silverstein, 25 September 1932, Chicago, Illinois, USA, d. 9 May 1999, Key West, Florida, USA. A former artist with Stars And Stripes magazine, Silverstein joined the staff of Playboy at its inception during the early 50s and for almost two decades his cartoons were a regular feature of the publication. He later became a successful illustrator and author of children's books, including Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book, Uncle Shelby's Zoo, The Missing Piece, A Light In The Attic, The Giving Tree and Giraffe And A Half. Silverstein was also drawn to the folk scene emanating from Chicago's Gate Of Horn and New York's Bitter End, latterly becoming a respected composer and performer of the genre. Early 60s collaborations with Bob Gibson were particularly memorable and in 1961 Silverstein completed Inside Folk Songs, which included the original versions of "The Unicorn" and "25 Minutes To Go", later popularized, respectively, by the Irish Rovers and Brothers Four. Silverstein provided "novelty" hits for Johnny Cash ("A Boy Named Sue") and Loretta Lynn ("One's On The Way"), but an association with Dr. Hook proved to be the most fruitful. A series of successful singles ensued, notably "Sylvia's Mother" and "The Cover Of Rolling Stone', and a grateful group reciprocated by supplying the backing on Freakin" At The Freaker's Ball. This ribald set included many of Silverstein's best-known compositions from this period, including "Polly In A Porny", "I Got Stoned And I Missed It" and "Don't Give A Dose To The One You Love Most", the last of which was adopted in several anti-venereal disease campaigns. The Great Conch Train Robbery, released on the traditional music outlet Flying Fish Records, was less scatological in tone. Silverstein adopted a less public profile in later years. His off-Broadway play Wild Life enjoyed good reviews in 1983, and seven years later he earned an Oscar nomination for "I'm Checking Out", written for the Mike Nichols movie, Postcards From The Edge. Silverstein was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
NME.com feature on including news, reviews, biography, youtube video, audio, concerts, tour dates, photos, pictures, commentary, album reviews and live reviews and cool facts.
YouTube Videos
Shel Silverstein (00:56)
Here he is with Johnny Cash, who had a monster hit with Shel's 'A Boy Named Sue'. Shel was a bizarre genius with a heart of gold.
Shel Silverstein - The Father of a Boy A Named Sue (03:01)
Here it is Cash fans, the "sequal" to the Johnny Cash smash hit, A Boy Named Sue (alos penned by Silverstein). This song is from the father point of view. It's a little weird, and in my opinion, doens't live up to the...
Shel Silverstein - A Front Row Seat to Hear Ole Johnny Sing (03:47)
the 1971 comedy song written and sang by Shel Silverstein (writer of A Boy Named Sue) about what a guy goes through to obtain a front row seat at a Johnny Cash concert. It even features the voice of the Man in Black...
Shel Silverstein on "The Johnny Cash Show" (05:40)
Outrageous! I can't believe I haven't posted this clip already, but if I did... I can't find it now. Here's Shel doing a quick duet with Cash on Silverstein's composition "Boy Named Sue," followed by an incredibly...
Live
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The Velvet Hearts
- Frog and Wicket, Eversley Cross
- Jan 10, 2009
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Animal Collective
- KOKO, London
- Jan 12, 2009
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The News - - Manchester - -
- See Myspace for gigs..., Manchester
- Jan 12, 2009
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Bruno Gallone
- Ducking Stool, Leominster
- Jan 14, 2009
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Soft Toy Emergency
- Academy, Liverpool
- Jan 17, 2009
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Soft Toy Emergency
- Carling Academy, Liverpool
- Jan 17, 2009
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Bruno Gallone
- Railway Hotel, Evesham
- Jan 18, 2009
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All That Remains
- Carling Academy 2, Birmingham
- Jan 19, 2009
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All That Remains
- Academy 2, Birmingham
- Jan 19, 2009
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All That Remains
- Academy, Manchester
- Jan 21, 2009
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Discography
albums.
- Hairy Jazz - 1959 (Elektra)
- Inside Folk Songs - 1961 (Atlantic)
- I'm So Good That I Don't Have To Brag! - 1965 (Cadet)
- Drain My Brain - 1966 (Cadet)
- A Boy Named Sue - 1968 (RCA Victor)
- Freakin' At The Freaker's Ball - 1969 (Columbia)
- Songs & Stories - 1972 (Parachute)
- Where The Sidewalk Ends - 1976 (Sony Kids)
- The Great Conch Train Robbery - 1979 (Flying Fish)
- A Light In The Attic - 1985 (Sony Kids)
