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Collective Memories
Last of the Pops is the story of a rising musician who vanishes and leaves behind a timeless body of work that inspires and unites long after his mysterious disappearance. Where did the idea for this book come from?
Music is something that has really shaped a lot of aspects of my life, from helping me understand the world and connect with it, to shaping the relationships I form with people, even my writing process leans heavily on music. I build out soundtracks to help me set the tone and in some cases even get inside characters’ heads. But despite it being such a big part of my life, I’ve actually never written about music – it’s always just something that’s tangentially connected to what I write about. So, with Last of the Pops, I really wanted to dive in and explore my connection to music, and how a lot of different people connect to it.
Like, if you think about your favorite songs, they can be very personal things. You have this history tied to them, whether it’s some kind of emotional response or memory, but at the same time, these songs are a shared cultural experience. The songs don’t exist just for you (even if they can feel like that). So they end up carrying with them the collective memories of all the people who listen to them over the years. And I really wanted to play with what that could mean – especially now – at a time when streaming and the internet has made it so that pretty much all music is literally right at our fingertips.
What inspired you to take this story to the next level and create a graphic novel?
Last of the Pops really became a graphic novel for a couple of reasons. For starters, comics have always been kind of my default when it comes to writing. Most of my books are graphic novels. But, when I sat down to write Last of the Pops, I didn’t know what it was going to be. Initially I just really loved the name Last of the Pops, as a take on the old Top of the Pops show. I couldn’t believe no one had used it before and I just really wanted to be the one who did. So for a long time, I just had a Google Doc titled Last of the Pops on my phone and I’d jot down different ideas or musings about music. Every once in a while I’d go back to it and see if anything jumped out at me. For a long time, it was just a bunch of ideas. Over time though, I started to see different characters taking shape – different personalities in bits and pieces. And the more I started to hone in on that, the more a story started to build up. It wasn’t a clean narrative though, in a way it was taking shape more like an epistolary novel. All these ideas could be different character’s journal entries and you could piece together the story within the context of the letter.
As I worked on that though, I realized the book was missing something. It was a book about music, a book about the personal soundtrack to all these different people’s lives. In a way, it was like a mix tape I was writing, but there were no actual songs or lyrics. That’s when I realized why not play with that idea a little. I started thinking about all those old music videos where they were basically mini-movies with the song playing in the background and you had these two different experiences: the visual storytelling and the lyrical storytelling. It seemed like it would be something fun to try with sequential artwork. Each scene could be like a music video with part of the story playing out in the panels of the comics, with the other part told through these different narrative devices – like journal entries or podcast transcripts, interviews, letters – all the standard epistolary storytelling devices.
I tried doing some research on this kind of thing, find examples of stories that have merged sequential and epistolary storytelling, and with the exception of a few single-issue comics, it hasn’t really been done before. Especially not as a full-length graphic novel (though if anyone knows of any examples, I’m open to being proven wrong). But this just made me want to try it out even more – to see if it was possible. As it turned out, the format really clicked. Getting to play with these two different storytelling methods helped bring the story together in a totally unexpected way – especially exploring the harmony and dissonance between them – how sometimes they were completely aligned in what they were telling the reader, and sometimes not – it ended up adding a new layer to the entire storytelling experience that was so much fun to work with, and added to the musicality of the book using harmony and dissonance the same way a songwriter might.
The images in this novel are fantastic. Can you share with us a little about your collaboration with illustrators Dr. Demus and Dapit Jamur?
Sure! Initially, it was just Dr. Demus and I. We found each other online and I really loved his art style. It was completely his own, yet it had elements of all these great comic artists like Jamie Hewlett, Dan Hipp, the Hernandez brothers – all these artists who had done comics about music in the past. Which I thought would be a nice homage.
His style worked perfectly for the book, but as we were going through it, we couldn’t crack what to do with the one character, Penny. Everything I did for her felt forced and didn’t fit her character. It wasn’t till I took a step back and thought about where she was in the story. She’s closed off, she’s stuck in this situation she doesn’t want to be in. She’s not really going to open up. She wouldn’t be the type to keep a diary or be writing letters to someone. But she’s an artist, and artists keep a sketchbook.
Once we realized this, it really opened up opportunities for us to tell her story in a very different way. I always refer to the sections of the book as the instrumental tracks, cause they’re no narrative like the other chapters. But we figured, some we’re already doing something different but her, we could switch things up and give Penny a style all her own to really let her stand out. That’s when we found Dapit. His artwork really brought a new level to the book. Penny was a seventeen-year-old wannabe street artist, and his style really brought her voice to life. It also opened the door for us to think about instances where maybe we could stretch the form a bit more – like the email newsletters from 45s on Main that helped to tell the part of the story we didn’t even think to include in the beginning but really helps add this very different layer to the mythos of Skylar Chase both in how we’re able to think about him and his music, but also I’m how it’s presented to the reader.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
At the moment, I’m teaming up again with S. Atzeni for a new anthology Disco Fries & Scenic Drives which is the third volume in the Life in the Garden State series we created to celebrate the untold stories about our home state of New Jersey. New Jersey is one of those places that often gets pigeonholed into very specific perspectives. But as people who have lived here all our lives, there’s something special about New Jersey. It’s completely one-of-a-kind while at the same time being incredibly universal and relatable to people from all over. So this anthology is designed to celebrate that. We’ll finish accepting submissions at the end of June and then the book will be hitting shelves in October.
After that, I have a new graphic novella I’ve just started writing for Read Furiously’s One ‘n Done series. It’s still in the very early stages, but it’s inspired by the band Good Luck who recorded two different versions of the same song on their album Into Lake Griffy. They’re both about stars falling from the sky with the same lyrics and chord progressions. But done in different styles with different singers. It’s not about the band or the songs though, but takes inspiration from some of the lyrics and more importantly, how there are two very different versions of the song. That one will take some time to get going though, so details on that are forthcoming. But I’m excited about it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
2025 Winner – Firebird International Book Awards for Comics and Graphic Novels
Not many people noticed the day the airwaves went silent. Thousands of radio stations across the country powered down for the last time. Twenty years on, even fewer noticed the day the towers came back to life, broadcasting on repeat, a handful of songs that don’t exist.
An experiment in sequential and epostolary storytelling, Wilson, Demus, Paratone, and Jamit present the soundtrack of a wannabe podcaster, a teen graffitti artist and her estranged brother, a former disc jockey, the newest owner of a vinyl legacy, and a tortured singer on the cusp of greatness.
Last of the Pops
Skylar Chase. A rising musician on the brink of stardom, until he vanished without a trace. Legally declared dead a decade later, his disappearance remains one of music’s great unsolved mysteries. Yet his limited body of work didn’t fade into obscurity. Instead, it evolved into legend. Even while he was still alive, his songs hinted at something timeless. Long after he was gone, they continued to inspire, to unite, to heal. Through melody, he created a legacy that outlived him, a legacy rooted in the enduring, transformative power of music.
Last of the Pops is a stunning collaborative graphic novel written by Adam Wilson, with illustrations by Dr. Demus, Dapit Jamus, and Erika Paratore. Subtitled A Mixtape for the Death of Radio, the book operates on multiple levels. At first glance, it’s a meditation on the fleeting nature of technology and how innovation renders even the most revolutionary ideas obsolete. But dig deeper, and it reveals a much more intimate reflection on the emotional resonance of music and the invisible threads it weaves between people.
Centered on the mythos of the fictional Skylar Chase, the story unfolds through a constellation of characters whose lives, at first seemingly disconnected, begin to intersect in unexpected, profound ways. What begins as individual narratives coalesces into a larger, more intricate tapestry. The pacing is deliberate, the writing precise, and the structure artfully cyclical, bringing the reader back to where it all began, but with renewed clarity.
True to the spirit of a mixtape, the novel is eclectic and layered. It blends poetic introspection with visual storytelling, balancing narrative complexity with emotional sincerity. At its heart, it’s about family, identity, belonging, and, above all, the shared experience of sound. Each chapter shifts perspective, and with it, both the visual and written style adapt accordingly. This shifting framework gives the book a dynamic rhythm, mirroring the diverse influences that shape each character’s journey.
More than just a tribute to music, Last of the Pops is a dialogue between artist and audience. It explores the deep, often invisible impact musicians have on the lives of their listeners. The artwork throughout amplifies this emotional depth, enhancing the tone of each scene with thoughtful variation and artistic flair. The visual transitions are not just aesthetic choices; they reflect the evolving inner worlds of the characters.
As a lifelong believer in music’s power to connect, heal, and transform, I found Last of the Pops to be a deeply moving experience. The narrative avoided sentimentality, instead grounding its emotional moments in authenticity. What I expected to be a series of fragmented vignettes emerged as a unified, resonant story. That cohesion made all the difference.
This graphic novel isn’t just about the mysterious Skylar Chase. It’s about all of us, the ways we connect, the memories we hold in song, and the legacies we carry forward through the art we love.
Pages: 234 | ISBN : 978-1960869081
My Legacy
From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall is a captivating journey through a life filled with dramatic contrasts, remarkable resilience, and a passion for music. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In the beginning, I wrote From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall for my family as a legacy to keep after I am gone. Later, it evolved as a kind of therapeutic release recalling my life, especially once I graduated from my college, The Curtis Institute of Music. Can you imagine going to college to learn how to master the clarinet to make a living?! It’s not the most sensible way to go.
Along with the funny stories and occasional glamorous, glorious moments performing with the greatest musicians all over the world it seems when I think about it now, I went from one challenge to another: child abuse, having little money, driving a cab, selling welding supplies, having my life threatened more than a few times. I suppose, after keeping my life a secret from friends and colleagues after all these years, I also wanted people to know some of what I went through to survive.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
My life was about hard work, setting goals, overcoming obstacles. I realize now that those small steps I made each day toward both the short and long – time goals I set for myself, really paid off. I didn’t like selling welding products – getting up at 4AM each morning to be at the shipyards when the welders were arriving for work and getting them to try my welding products was no picnic. Sometimes the welders would set their welder at the wrong polarity and ask me to weld something. Of course, I got a terrible shock when the welding rod touched the metal. That game is called “Lighting up the Welding Rod Salesman” and it never fails to end in uproarious laughter, at least for the welders. For me it was life and death. I had to make money for my daughter and me to eat and pay the rent.
I read a book called “What Color is Your Parachute” and discovered that my passions are music and children. I got the idea to create a program called “Music Magic”, sold it to many schools, including my daughter’s pre – school in Seattle and never looked back to those shipyards. Implementing “Music Magic” in the early childhood schools in Seattle and later in NYC enabled my daughter and me to move back East and where I could restart my performing career.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
A challenging thought, even before I began was the idea (which began as a notion) that I could write a book; it seemed far- fetched, as my last class in English and/or writing was when I was a Junior in high school.
How has writing your memoir impacted or changed your life?
It continues to be a great learning experience.
I now have more appreciation for my wife, Barb, who is so very supportive and a great partner in this project. I consider my wife to be a large part of my targeted audience – someone who loves music, especially classical music, and is NOT a professional musician.
I am also so very grateful to be living close to my daughter, Laura and her partner, Deryn, both of whom work with me in promoting our book, From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook-Personal | Facebook-Business | Website
From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall is more than a musician’s story; it’s an inspiring narrative that resonates with anyone who has faced life’s challenges head-on. An ode to the power of never giving up and giving oneself every chance to succeed. This book will not only entertain but also encourage and inspire, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a story of triumph, perseverance, and the transformative power of music.
From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall
David Singer’s memoir, From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall, is a captivating journey through a life filled with dramatic contrasts, remarkable resilience, and a passion for music. The story begins with Singer’s strikingly surreal day of performing at the White House before returning to drive a taxi on the gritty streets of New York. The book seamlessly weaves together the grandeur of international concert halls with the harsh realities of survival, creating an inspiring story of a life lived in extremes. His story also ventures deeply into family history, exploring themes of trauma, perseverance, and the transformative power of art.
What makes this memoir truly shine is Singer’s ability to bring to life the dichotomy of his experiences. He vividly describes performing with the Vienna Philharmonic while still grappling with the scars of a tumultuous upbringing. One of the most compelling sections recounts his relationship with Rudolf Jettel, a mentor who helped shape his artistic journey while also standing as a hero who saved lives during the Holocaust. These stories add layers of depth and humanity to the story. His accounts of working odd jobs, like selling welding supplies at dawn, make the glamour of Carnegie Hall feel earned.
Singer’s writing is raw and unflinching when delving into his personal struggles. His reflections on a childhood filled with parental abuse and the long shadow it cast over his life are both heartbreaking and hopeful. The honesty in these moments feels brave, especially when he revisits painful family dynamics. However, he also balances this with humor and warmth, particularly when recounting his adventures as a young clarinetist or his mischievous childhood escapades, like sneaking his dog DeeDee into his room at night.
The book’s pacing is engaging, though at times the transitions between major events in Singer’s life feel abrupt. While this approach mirrors the chaos and unpredictability of his journey, it occasionally left some anecdotes feeling underexplored to me. Despite this, Singer’s voice remains earnest and compelling, drawing the reader into his world with vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion.
I recommend From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall to anyone who loves music, tales of perseverance, or stories of triumph over adversity. It’s a particularly enriching read for musicians or anyone navigating a challenging creative path. Singer’s life is a testament to the power of grit and artistry, offering inspiration to those daring enough to dream big, no matter the odds.
Pages: 320 | ASIN : B0D6TH9XG6
Leaving a Lasting Impression
Catalina Plays the What? follows a young girl getting ready for show-and-tell day at school who is nervous about sharing her passion for her favorite instrument, the double bass. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for Catalina Plays the What? stems from my personal connection to the world of double basses through my husband, Gary Upton, who is a luthier and has been manufacturing double basses for years. Before meeting him, like many people, I had little knowledge of this remarkable instrument, which is often overlooked in schools and society despite being the foundational cornerstone in nearly all music worldwide. Many people say, “Oh, it’s a big cello, right?” I wanted to shed light on the double bass, an instrument that deserves far more recognition, especially among young learners.
Additionally, the field of double bass is predominantly male and Caucasian, so it was important to me to feature a young girl of color as the protagonist. Representation matters deeply—when children see themselves reflected in various fields, they are more likely to feel inspired and motivated to pursue their interests. Through Catalina’s journey, I hope to encourage more girls, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to explore and embrace the double bass.
Catalina starts out nervous but builds confidence as she goes along, in part thanks to the help of her grandpa. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
The themes of perseverance, self-confidence, and the importance of supportive relationships drive Catalina’s character development. Her initial nervousness reflects a universal experience for many children who feel uncertain when sharing something they are passionate about. However, as Catalina progresses through her presentation, her confidence builds, largely due to the steady encouragement from her grandpa. This relationship, which highlights the significant role that mentors and family members play in empowering young people to overcome their fears, is a key element in the story. I wanted to convey that with support, determination, and a belief in oneself, even the most daunting challenges can be met with success.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
As a former elementary school teacher, I have a deep passion for making learning enjoyable and accessible for children. In Catalina Plays the What?, I aimed to introduce the fundamentals of the double bass in an engaging and easy way for young readers to understand. The story breaks down the different parts of the bass, its various names, and its role in different genres of music, all within the context of a fun and relatable narrative. My goal was to create an educational experience that would not only entertain but also inform children about this incredible instrument, leaving a lasting impression that learning can be both informative and entertaining.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Catalina Plays the What? is not currently part of a series, but I’ve been considering the possibility due to readers’ positive feedback and interest. Many have expressed a desire for more stories educating about musical instruments. While I haven’t yet committed to a series, I am finishing another story, Thea and Her Purple Dragon. This upcoming book delves into the complex and often painful topic of Parental Gatekeeping, exploring the deep emotional impact on children and parents when an adult fails to work together in the child’s best interest. This book aims to open a dialogue about the importance of cooperation and understanding within families, especially for the child’s well-being.
In addition to Thea and Her Purple Dragon, new readers can also explore my other works. Jayla Spreads Loving Kindness introduces children to the peaceful mindfulness practice of loving-kindness meditation, following a young girl as she practices sending love to those around her throughout her day. The book aims to teach that the more loving-kindness you send out, the happier and more peaceful you will feel. My other book, You Are Loved, tells the story of a little girl entering foster care and aims to teach children that, despite difficult circumstances, they can always find love and support in the world around them.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon
Dinosaur Symphony: A Book of Poetry and Pictures about Dinosaurs and Classical Music
In A Dinosaur Symphony, author S.P. Somtow masterfully intertwines the realms of time travel, music, and paleontology, creating a unique and engaging experience for young readers. This imaginative tale follows a time-traveling conductor who ventures into the Jurassic Era only to find an orchestra of dinosaurs struggling with their musical tempo. Through this narrative, Somtow cleverly introduces children to the intricacies of a symphony orchestra, with each dinosaur character representing a different musical instrument and section of the orchestra.
The author’s background as a composer is evident, as he enriches the story with an original orchestral piece that reflects his dual passions for music and dinosaurs. This auditory element, along with the AI-assisted illustrations, provides a modern and interactive layer to the storytelling, making it an enjoyable and educational read. The author includes a note explaining the use of AI assistance in creating the illustrations. Although a few images might display minor imperfections, they do not detract from the story’s captivating narrative. This book is an educational tool, seamlessly blending fun facts about dinosaurs with insights into various musical instruments and their sounds. This approach captivates the young reader’s imagination and serves as a springboard for discussions about music and paleontology in classroom settings, particularly in music education.
A Dinosaur Symphony opens up opportunities for meaningful conversations between children and parents about diverse music genres, the role of different instruments, and, intriguingly, the prehistoric creatures that once roamed our planet. This inventive and informative book is an excellent resource for nurturing young minds to appreciate music and natural history.
Pages: 80 | ASIN : B0CPDJZ3RH
God’s Love Never Fails
Genesis of a Genre: The Birth of Christian Rock explores the origins of the Christian Rock genre and the history of the group that called themselves Agăpē. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The story is important because it fills a hole in the history of Contemporary Christian Music. As an industry, CCM tends to ignore or discount any musical contributions prior to 1973, and that obscuring of history needed to be challenged. It was also important to note that the music now presented as Christian Rock began with raw edges and pure motives.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
In all, it took 16 months to write the book. The first three months were for contacting the original members of Agape, building a larger contact list, and, from the initial interviews, deciding where the story was going to go. It took the full 3 months to come up with a working outline.
Research was done every day until the project was completed. Every time I spoke to someone new, there was research to be done.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Failure, pain, and joy have molded my writing because they have molded my life. Moving me to be more patient, introspective, and compassionate, I’ve learned to look deeper than surface issues in hopes of discovering the energies at work behind our choices.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Genesis of a Genre: The Birth of Christian Rock?
That insight is found in the final words of the story: God’s love never fails.
Genesis of a Genre: The Birth of Christian Rock
Prayer serves as a bridge for communicating with God, and it’s remarkable how each individual can tailor this communication in a way that resonates with them. Just as there are diverse forms of prayer, there are equally diverse expressions of love. The term “Agape” captures God’s unfaltering love for humanity. This very essence inspired the inception of a Christian rock band named Agape. Their primary mission? To convey God’s boundless love through music. However, navigating the world of alternative music presented its own challenges, impacting their journey to recognition.
Joe Markko masterfully chronicles the band’s odyssey, painting a vivid picture of the hurdles, transformations, and milestones experienced by the band members. Through Genesis of a Genre: The Birth of Christian Rock, readers embark on an enlightening journey, exploring how the teachings of the Bible influenced and molded the lives of the band members.
To curate this narrative, Markko diligently conducted interviews and collated first-hand accounts. A noteworthy feature of the book’s conclusion is the collection of letters from individuals who personally interacted with the Agape members. These letters highlight the transformative power of living by Christian principles. The book provides a comprehensive glimpse into the band’s journey, revealing the societal prejudices they faced, their unwavering commitment to exemplifying God’s teachings, and their adaptive evolution in songwriting.
While the book offers a captivating retelling, it’s essential to acknowledge its nature: a retrospective narrative, and with that comes the potential for historical inconsistencies. Markko is transparent about this, ensuring a genuine representation of the gathered information. The anecdotes—centered on a group of friends growing and maturing together—offer an enriching reading experience.
Genesis of a Genre: The Birth of Christian Rock is more than just a foray into a musical genre; it’s an exploration of friendship, spiritual growth, and the profound propagation of divine love. A must-read for those seeking a heartwarming narrative on faith, music, and unity.
Pages: 230 | ISBN : 9798218235444
LITERARY TITAN 