Band in the Wind
Band in the Wind by William John Rostron, published on November 29, 2018, is a fiction saga that spans 324 pages. The narrative begins with the discovery of the “Journal of Johnny Cipp” on a beach in Key West, Florida, more than twenty-three years after the author vanished from his home. Through Johnny’s cryptic journal entries, readers are drawn into the story of a band formed in 1967 Southeast Queens, New York, amidst chaos and turmoil, as they strive for fame while grappling with the harsh realities of their environment.
The book explores the lives of five young men who use their music as a means to escape the violence and poverty surrounding them. As they bond through their shared experiences and aspirations, each member’s personal motivations for success emerge, revealing deeper themes of loyalty and ambition. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the story captures the turbulence of adolescence during a transformative period in American history, making it a poignant reflection on friendship and the pursuit of dreams.
Official synopsis Publisher
1990
On a moonlit evening in Key West, Florida, the “Journal of Johnny Cipp” is found on a secluded beach. It has been more than twenty-three years since the author disappeared from his home 1500 miles away. His opening journal entry is cryptic in its message.
“Unlike the lyrics to the rock classic, ‘The Summer of ’69, ‘ the Jimmy in my band didn’t quit, and my Joey didn’t get married. In my life, they died. In fact, except for me, they all died . . . and I have never before told our story.” Thus begins the saga of the lone survivor of a series of tragic events decades earlier.
1967
Southeast Queens, New York is in turmoil. Amid the escalating chaos, five young men form a band in hopes of escaping the mounting violence, poverty, and drugs surrounding them. Johnny Cipp, the driving force behind the group, wants to lead them to fame and fortune. Instead, he takes them down a path where one misstep can result in destruction.
It is said that if you remember the 1960’s you were not really there. However, this was not a time of peace and love for everyone. In Johnny Cipp’s neighborhood, it is a time of violent upheaval – and he remembers every moment of it. His journal weaves an intricate tale of five young men who attempt to escape their chaotic situation with their only available weapons–their love and loyalty for each other . . . and their music. As the band bonds both musically and personally, they come to realize what success means to each of them. To one, it will be a release from the abusive beatings of his father. For another, it will be a chance to be with the girl of his dreams. A third member’s goal is a secret. For all of them, their music holds the promise of a brighter future. With each motivated to escape their present situation, they push toward establishing themselves as a professional band.
In June of 1967, they got their big break, and it was the beginning of the end.
Band in the Wind takes place during the mounting racial tensions of the decade, in a time when New York City’s identity is under transformation. At its heart, this is a story about the turbulence of adolescence unfolding during an equally turbulent period in America’s history.
Steeped in 1960s rock and roll atmosphere, and outfitted with a killer soundtrack, this novel will be perfect for fans of A Bronx Tale, Not Fade Away, Stand by Me (“The Body”), The Commitments, and Eddie and the Cruisers.
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