Nothing's Bad Luck

The Lives of Warren Zevon

By: C. M. Kushins

Narrated by: Fleet Cooper

Length: 16 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Biography of legendary singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, spanning his nomadic youth and early recording career to his substance abuse, final album, and posthumous Grammy Awards

As is the case with so many musicians, the life of Warren Zevon was blessed with talent and opportunity yet also beset by tragedy and setbacks. Raised mostly by his mother with an occasional cameo from his gangster father, Warren had an affinity and talent for music at an early age. Taking to the piano and guitar almost instantly, he began imitating and soon creating songs at every opportunity. After an impromptu performance in the right place at the right time, a record deal landed on the lap of a teenager who was eager to set out on his own and make a name for himself. But of course, where fame is concerned, things are never quite so simple.

Drawing on original interviews with those closest to Zevon, including Crystal Zevon, Jackson Browne, Mitch Albom, Danny Goldberg, Barney Hoskyns, and Merle Ginsberg, Nothing's Bad Luck tells the story of one of rock's greatest talents. Journalist C. M. Kushins not only examines Zevon's troubled personal life and sophisticated, ever-changing musical style but emphasizes the moments in which the two are inseparable and ultimately paints Zevon as a hotheaded, literary, compelling musical genius worthy of the same tier as that of Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

In Nothing's Bad Luck, Kushins at last gives Warren Zevon the serious, in-depth biographical treatment he deserves, making the life of this complex subject accessible to fans old and new for the very first time.

©2019 C. M. Kushins (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"The best of the books written thus far about Warren Zevon is Nothing's Bad Luck. C. M. Kushins follows the legendary singer/songwriter down streets mostly Californian and mean; like a good detective, he sifts through the relationships and songs left behind. What he uncovers makes for compelling reading." (Kevin Avery, author of Everything Is an Afterthought: The Life and Writings of Paul Nelson) 

"[Kushins] captures the essence of the brooding yet wickedly witty singer." (Booklist) 

"[An] appreciative but honest biography." (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) 

Great Content ......but

The reader mispronounced characters' names at almost every given opportunity. Sounds like a nit, but this really annoys me. Makes it seem as though the reader did no homework at all, since the correct pronunciation of "Tule", (not "Tool" but "Toolie" ), "Frey" -as in Glen (not "fray" but "fry") and Zapata (accents on incorrect syllables) are either very well known or accessible. Glen Frey was founder of the Eagles, who had the best selling album of the 20th century. Surely one can find out how to pronounce his name. And the song "Tule's Blues" is available on youtube.

A must read for fans of Mr. Bad Example

I have spent the better part of the last few years immersing myself in the catalog of Warren Zevon. I have come to realize that he may very well be the face of tortured soul rock ‘n roll.

Kushins does an excellent job of weaving the musical talent of Zevon with his personal tales of mind numbing upheaval and crippling addictions. It was this way of life that provided the fuel for such songs as “Desperadoes Under the Eaves” and “Lawyers, Guns and Money.”

I’ve been waiting for a complete biographical account of Warren Zevon, and this is it. I recommend this book to all fans of Zevon and music fans.

<shakes head>

awesome story about an incredible artist, however Fleet Cooper mispronounces the simplest names. So much so that I want to reach in and grab him.

There is a lot more to Warren than Werewolves,..

A very thought provoking book opn one of the greatest lyrysists of our time. Highly recommended.

Kushins captured the true essence of WARREN ZEVON

The most comprehensive biography of the man, the myth, the legend known best as The Werewolf of Los Angeles!

From the earlier years as an Excitable boy, through his mid-life acceptance of his demons as Mr. Bad example, to his sobriety as the Mutineer!
Mr. Kushins has accomplished the exhaustive task of 10 years worth of research in interviewing family and friends. His work sums up the dirty Life and times of WARREN ZEVON as a traveling troubadour and his legacy of prophetic music that outlines and captures Warren's spirit and relatable dark sardonic wit that the truest of fans have come to honor and cherish!

A Must for Zevon Fans

If you are even a casual fan of Warren Zevon’s you will devour Nothing’s Bad Luck. It’s a terrific telling of a fascinating life. A detailed, warts and all account of one of music’s true legends. You won’t be disappointed.

a story of my favorite person

This encompasses all I needed to know about the journey of WZ. Beautifully written with great dignity to himself, his friends ,and family. Wonderful.

A Warm & Heartfelt Life & Times of a Great Artist

Loved spending time in the life of Warren Zevon, one of my favorite songwriter / poet / musician / singers. I suggest taking breaks from the book to listen to Warren's music. Truly masterful !!

The book is great !!!!

Thoughtful Account Marred by Underprepared Reader

Kushins' detailed and often insightful account of one of the best--if one of the least popularly appreciated--songwriters/singers/composers/rockers of the late 20th and early 21st century mostly comes through here. This is in spite of a reader, Mr. Fleet, who while he has an agreeable voice, show scant knowledge of Zevon's work or the musical culture he came from. As others have noted, the names of the late Glenn Frey (of the Eagles) and of Zevon's first major romantic partner (and mother of his sin, Jordan) are consistently mispronounced, and other lapses are sprinkled throughout the work (including confusing the late, great John Belushi with his brother Jim in the last chapter). While it is worth remembering how long this audio book is, noting that a few errors in reading are understandable in so many hours, some of these mistakes could have easily been avoided (though one or two usage issues may be in the text itself, which I have not read myself). If you can tolerate these mistakes, and the way Fleet attempts to voice female characters, this is a passable job, though I think Kushins and I know Warren and others deserve better.

Nitpicking

Who in America doesn’t know Glenn Frey? He pronounced it Glenn Fray; He mispronounced Karla Bonoff’s name and Ray Manzarek. I don’t understand why someone didn’t correct him? Aside from that, he did a good job narrating.

Sad

I will probably always love Warren Zevon's music but this biography only serves to underline what a difficult, unpleasant, nasty person he could be without really focusing on his talents . Not an enjoyable listen and written without any of the imagination or flair which typified Zevon's work. To be fair to the author, he was a singular person and presumably a challenging subject... Crystal Zevon's "I'll Sleep when I'm Dead" is not much better.