{"product_id":"perez-prado-king-of-the-mambo-9798216368687","title":"Pérez Prado: King of the Mambo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis is the story of how Cuban music captivated the world in the 1950s, told through the life of mambo's most famous musician, Pérez Prado.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e A riveting tour through rich moments in Cuban, Mexican, and American cultural history, this book captures Prado's colorful life and surprising influence, including his famous hit \"Mambo No. 5.\" Not only did Prado and his contemporaries ignite an American passion for the thrilling dance music of mambo, but they also played an essential part in early R\u0026amp;B and rock 'n' roll. Their influence can even be seen in much popular music of today, from Shakira and Jennifer Lopez to Karol G and Michael Bublé. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Born in Cuba, Prado landed in Mexico City when music and cinema were soaring, starring in classic films of the Cine de Oro and writing for noir musicals in the 1940s and 1950s. He lived in Los Angeles for more than a decade, creating some of his most notable artistic works that earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As Cuban music rose, audiences could not resist the startling horns, percussion, and rhythms of his hits. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Prado had his quirks and an extreme attraction to kitsch. He regularly wore jewels, heavy gold chains, and flamboyant suits and drove a Cadillac with tiger stripe upholstery. This book dives into the story and legacy of this larger-than-life figure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e John Radanovich\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bloomsbury Academic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/11\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.33lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.08h x 6.41w x 0.93d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798216368687\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Radanovich\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of \u003ci\u003eWildman of Rhythm: The Life and Music of Benny Moré \u003c\/i\u003e(2015). He has covered jazz, Cuban, and world music and entertainment topics for \u003ci\u003eDownbeat\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOffbeat\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eBergen County Record\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew Orleans Times-Picayune \u003c\/i\u003eand other newspapers and magazines.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"John Radanovich \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":48752170696861,"sku":"9798216368687","price":66.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_4fd1ed3c-72a7-4190-8cd8-2bf79d121163.jpg?v=1785920558","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/perez-prado-king-of-the-mambo-9798216368687","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}