Barry Walters' 'Mighty Real' Chronicles LGBTQ Pop Music from 1969 to 2000
Barry Walters, a seasoned journalist, has released 'Mighty Real', a comprehensive exploration of LGBTQ pop music spanning from 1969 to 2000, featuring artists such as RuPaul and the Velvet Underground. This work intertwines music critique with personal narrative, drawing from Walters' upbringing in Rochester, N.Y., his encounters during the AIDS crisis, and discussions with various musicians. The book showcases talents like Madonna, Elton John, and David Bowie, alongside influential figures like Lavender Country and bands such as Green Day and Tina Turner. Inspired by Vito Russo’s 'The Celluloid Closet', Walters embarked on this project nearly ten years ago. The title pays homage to Sylvester's hit 'You Make Me Feel Mighty Real' and includes sections on Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston.
Key facts
- Book covers LGBTQ music from 1969 to 2000.
- Author Barry Walters is a veteran journalist for The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, The Advocate, and Out.
- Title inspired by Sylvester's song 'You Make Me Feel Mighty Real'.
- Walters interviewed Sylvester before his AIDS-related death in 1988.
- Each chapter focuses on a specific artist and LGBTQ themes.
- Includes both obvious LGBTQ icons and unexpected artists like Tina Turner and Green Day.
- Highlights pioneers Lavender Country and Olivia Records.
- Walters was inspired by Vito Russo's 'The Celluloid Closet'.
- Book took nearly 10 years to write.
- Walters followed Madonna from her early career in New York's club scene.
- Chapters on Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross discuss their closeted lives.
- Walters interviewed Houston in 2000 for Out magazine.
- Book aims to be accessible to all, like Kendrick Lamar's music.
- Walters is considering a sequel covering the internet era and political shifts.
Entities
Artists
- Barry Walters
- RuPaul
- David Bowie
- Donna Summer
- Elton John
- Melissa Etheridge
- Cher
- Michael Jackson
- Indigo Girls
- k.d. lang
- ABBA
- Village People
- Cyndi Lauper
- Boy George
- Tina Turner
- Bonnie Raitt
- Talking Heads
- Olivia Newton-John
- New Order
- Green Day
- Lavender Country
- Sylvester
- Madonna
- Whitney Houston
- Luther Vandross
- Robyn Crawford
- Brandi Carlile
- Lil Nas X
- Orville Peck
- Lucy Dacus
- Julien Baker
- Troye Sivan
- Chappell Roan
- Kendrick Lamar
- Vito Russo
Institutions
- The Village Voice
- Rolling Stone
- The Advocate
- Out
- Olivia Records
- Radio City Music Hall
- San Francisco Pride Parade
Locations
- Rochester
- New York City
- Times Square
- San Francisco
- United States