![]() Opal’s bold protest and the violence that ensues set off a chain of events that will not only change the lives of those she loves, but also be a deadly reminder that repercussions are always harsher for women, especially black women, who dare to speak their truth.ĭecades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. In early seventies New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records. Coming of age in Detroit, she can’t imagine settling for a 9-to-5 job-despite her unusual looks, Opal believes she can be a star. Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Listen: Dawnie Walton talks about her main character’s Detroit roots and much more.An electrifying novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic interracial rock duo in the 1970s, their sensational breakup, and the dark secrets unearthed when they try to reunite decades later for one last tour. “I hope that people come away with a love for the characters and imagine Sunny and Opal always having this bond.” ![]() “The book for me is about the importance of community, defining community and defining yourself within that community,” Walton says. Outside of Sunny’s storytelling intentions, “The Final Revival of Opal & Nev” strikes additional sociopolitical and racial chords with themes such as moral ethics and gender equality. The public and personal history is the impetus for Sunny being adamant about penning this rock ‘n’ soul oral history. From the riot, a specific image of Opal is captured. Years later, circa 2016, in the thick of political uprising and social media memes, this powerful image resurfaces and brings the rock band - Opal, specifically back to public consciousness, raising her to icon status. Her actions rile up the other band’s fans and chaos strikes. During one of their concerts in the early 1970s, a massive race riot broke out and he was killed.Īt this infamous New York concert, Opal, who Walton describes as an “amalgamation of many women” (think Betty Davis, Grace Jones, Tina Turner etc.) is fed up with racism and lodged a protest against a southern rock band attempting to go on stage waving a Confederate flag. Her father, Jimmy Curtis, was a drummer for the band and had an affair with Opal. The foundation of Sunny’s conflicted emotions toward Opal date back to when she was in her mother’s womb. “With Sunny, it’s definitely a lot more complicated, but I wanted to explore that very particular feeling when you are really in love with an artist and grappling with some of the things that they do or the decisions that they make.” It’s a very particular kind of heartbreak,” Walton says. Sunny idolizes her. But it’s also very taboo for her her family has this very complicated and personal relationship with Opal I wanted to explore how it feels to be a fan and when that person you idolize disappoints you. “Through music and lyrics, you feel like you understand who a person is. Sunny Curtis, the first Black editor-in-chief of Aural magazine and a longtime admirer of Opal Jewel - a Black, Detroit-bred singer and half of the famed and controversial 1970s Afro-punk rock duo Opal & Nev. In Dawnie Walton’s debut novel, “ The Final Revival of Opal & Nev” (37Ink/Simon & Schuster), the latter is experienced by one of her centered characters, S.
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