Dynomite!, Jimmie Walker
Dynomite!, Jimmie Walker
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Dynomite!
Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times -- A Memoir

Bestseller

Author: Jimmie Walker, Sal Manna

Narrator: Jimmie Walker

Unabridged: 9 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download (DRM Protected)

Published: 06/26/2012


Synopsis

Raised in the South Bronx projects, Jimmie Walker made his way out of the perilous ghetto thanks to an ability to make people laugh. Performing in small clubs alongside friends such as Richard Pryor, Freddie Prinze, David Brenner, and Richard Lewis; opening for Black Panther rallies; and emceeing at the Apollo and for Motown tours, he was a young, brash stand-up comedian for a new generation.By landing the role of J.J. Evans on Good Times, Walker became an icon of the ’70s and beyond. The first young black sitcom star — dubbed “the black Fonzie” — his catchphrase “Dyn-o-mite!” remains an often-quoted indicator of the era. As the show’s breakout star, he navigated the pressures of a pop culture popularity that rendered J.J. into a talking doll (pull the string!). At the same time, he was the epicenter of a major controversy over black stereotypes. Walker candidly remembers the communication breakdowns on the set that contradicted the show’s image of a close-knit, blue-collar family. Meanwhile, he worked at his craft, including hiring then-unknowns David Letterman and Jay Leno to write jokes for him. When the Late Night War erupted, Walker had a uniquely personal perspective that he writes about here for the first time.In Dyn-o-mite! he also reveals, in characteristic bemused if lacerating fashion, the lessons he’s learned along the way about self-reliance, freedom of speech (the n-word and more), and belief in the individual — subjects he frequently talks about on talk radio and television. Imparting a vivid, insiders’ look at the edgy scene of the ’70s and ’80s, perhaps the most groundbreaking and vibrant era in comedy history, Walker paints a portrait of the life and times of a quintessential road comic.

About Jimmie Walker

Jimmie Walker was born in 1947 in New York City. He began performing during the golden age of stand-up comedy before reaching pop culture immortality on the landmark sitcom Good Times. He continues to tour the country doing stand-up while living in Las Vegas. DynomiteJJ.com


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kimberly on July 18, 2012

OUTSTANDING! Did I say OUTSTANDING? Let me just say I laughed my a*s off reading this book! Who couldn't remember Jimmie Walker's famous character on the popular 70s sitcom, J.J. Evans on Good Times and his favorite word that put him on the map--DYN-O-MITE! I tuned in every week to hear that word co......more

Goodreads review by Nandi on August 14, 2015

What a book!!! plus he's a no lie originally from the Boogie Down like myself, I really enjoyed this......more

Goodreads review by Bjornv on May 30, 2013

For some reason been reading a fair amount of biographies and autobiographies lately, especially of actor types, and this was one of the best. Charming, funny, touching, and very honest without being rude or ruthless. Also his early days hanging out with and opening for the Black Power movement is e......more

Goodreads review by David on September 29, 2012

Loved it! A top notch autobiography by a truly unique entertainment personality. Walker lived through an important time in comedy's history, in America's history. If the only side you know of Walker is JJ, think again! Reading this book will not only make you laugh...it may also make you a better pe......more

Goodreads review by Tari on August 06, 2013

I learned so much about Jimmie Walker. He was so much more than just J.J. Evans the dyn-o-mite kid. He really was a class act. I was surprised to learn the parts he played in the starts of the careers of many talented people. He was so much more than I thought he was. To quote him, "I don't mind bei......more