BEHIND THE RAINBOW: The Story of Eva Cassidy

Born in February 1963, the pretty blonde songbird Eva Cassidy left this world in November 1996 after a brief performing career. Recognition only came after her death at the age of 33, much of it in the UK through the great broadcaster Terry Wogan's Radio 2 show. But although the Eva Cassidy phenomenon came too late for the woman herself to enjoy the fame, perhaps she would not have enjoyed it. Here was a shy and sensitive singer who preferred drawing and painting and wearing big baggy clothes to performing in front of audiences and who seemed disenchanted by the music business before she truly cracked it. But what is beyond doubt is the power of the recordings she has left behind. In this thoughtful and probing biography, Johan Bakker reveals the Eva Cassidy who had been a local performer in and around Washington DC through interviews with her friends, colleagues and family, to reveal her life, idealism and eventual disillusionment. In all it confirms that everyone who knew Eva Cassidy loved her in some way but few truly understood her. Hers truly was a voice from heaven and her timeless music is heralded here by the likes of Katie Melua who discusses the utterly beautiful recording Eva made of 'Over the Rainbow'. Paperback, 192pp, colour photos.