Rock ’n’ roll legend Willie Nile gives a shout-out to 'The Show Won’t Go On’! (video)

Willie Nile is a self-proclaimed soldier with a guitar, a critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter and a bonafide rock ’n roll legend.  So it was a thrill when he gave a shout-out onstage last night to Burt Kearns and Jeff Abraham’s new book, The Show Won’t Go On: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage.

“You're not in it!” someone in the crowd shouted out.

“Not yet, I’m not,” Willie replied. “Wait, the night is young! I could be in it by the end of the night. And there would be worse places to go!"

Coincidentally or not, Willie Nile has recorded a version of Jim Carroll’s People Who Died.  It’s a highlight of his high-energy rock 'n' roll set.

Bassist Johnny Pisano is a star in his own right with his Punk Pizzeria

Burt’s sister Anne Fers is friends with Willie and his band. She got Burt and Jeff to send personalized copies of the book to Willie and bass player Johnny Pisano. So they’ve both got some reading to do!

Click here for Willie Nile’s website and his tour schedule.

Wilie Nile is a man who’s lived onstage for decades.  Here's hoping his show goes on for a long... long... time!

First bookstore appearance! Authors Jeff Abraham & Burt Kearns to discuss & sign 'The Show Won’t Go On’ at Book Soup on Sunday, Sept 15

The Show Won’t Go On: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage, the first comprehensive study of that show business phenomenon, is selling briskly and has been getting great coverage and rave reviews from the likes of Vanity Fair, The New York Daily News, The Daily Mail and the Telegraph.

Authors Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns have been hitting the podcast and radio circuit, beginning with a side-splitting ninety minutes on Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast.

Next up: appearances and book signings. The first takes place at 3 pm this Sunday, September 15, at the legendary Book Soup on The Sunset Strip.  Author, critic and authors' pal Ray Richmond will moderate what promises to be a lively discussion about the deadly topic.

Future appearances include

Dark Delicacies in Burbank, hosted by truly legendary television and comic book writer Mark Evanier,  4 pm  on Saturday September 21

The Dearly Departed Articaft Museum in Hollywood on Saturday October 19

and Stories Books and Cafe in Echo Park on  Tuesday October 22.

The boys are sticking close to home in this first go-round.

Watch this space for updates and more appearances.

THE SHOW WON’T GO ON: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage

This just in! Pre-order now at THESHOWWONTGOON.COM!

September 3rd is the official publication date for the sensational and much-anticipated new book by Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns.

(published by Chicago Review Press’s A Cappella Books)

The Show Won’t Go On, the new book by Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns, is now on sale!

The long-awaited book from Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns is now available!

The book is The Show Won't Go On: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage, and according to the publisher:

"There has never been a show business book quite like The Show Won't Go On, the first comprehensive study of a bizarre phenomenon: performers who died onstage. From the comedy magician who dropped dead on live television to the amateur thespian who expired during a play called The Art of Murder, the book is a celebration of lives both famous and obscure, as well as a dramatic and accurate recounting of events leading to the moments they died "doing what they loved." The Show Won't Go On covers almost every genre of entertainment, and is full of unearthed anecdotes, exclusive interviews, colorful characters and ironic twists. With dozens of heart-stopping stories, it's the perfect book to dip into on any page.”

The Show Won't Go On will be published September 3 by Chicago Review Press’ A Cappella Books.  It's available now as a pre-order at a reduced price from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and other sites.

We’ll keep you posted on developments like events and signings. In the meantime, Jeff and Burt have been contributing similar-themed stories to the literary-pop culture website, PleaseKillMe.com.