Pérez Prado: King of the Mambo | An Evening with John Radanovich
September 9 @ 7:00 pm
Author John Radanovich visits Books & Books for the release of his new biography, “Pérez Prado: King of the Mambo,” which traces the life, career, and influence of the Cuban bandleader best known for helping popularize mambo internationally.
The book follows Prado from Cuba to Mexico City and Los Angeles, covering his work in Mexican cinema during the 1940s and 1950s, his recordings, and hits including “Mambo No. 5.” It also examines the role Prado and his contemporaries played in the development of mambo, early R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, and later popular music.
Radanovich is also the author of “Wildman of Rhythm: The Life and Music of Benny Moré” and has written about jazz, Cuban music, world music, and entertainment for publications including DownBeat, OffBeat, the Bergen County Record, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune.