All That Glitters

Former fashion model, charismatic vocalist and devoted lover of David Bowie during his 1970s golden era, Chicago-born Ava Cherry waited for just the right moment to tell her story, and that moment is now...

All That Glitters begins with Ava's musical inspirations, family allegiances, Catholic education and reaction to living on Chicago's South Side. Donning faded denim and "lots of fringe" during her early teen years, she frequents the all-black, opulent Regal Theater, where she dreams about performing live after watching Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson. The free-spirited Ava finds an early path into the world of fashion and entertainment as a young model.  

Fast forward to a New York after-party, where Ava's then-manager introduces her to flame-haired David Bowie; he's instantly attracted to Ava's short-cropped, dyed hair and down-to-earth persona. What he doesn't suspect is that Ava has spent hours staring at the rock star's image on the Ziggy Stardust cover while dropping the needle on each track and memorizing all the lyrics.

Bowie asks Ava to tour in Japan with his backing band, The Spiders from Mars. She hurriedly packs up her apartment, gives notice to her employer and says goodbye to her parents, but when a telegram from Bowie's camp arrives alerting her that the tour had fallen through, Ava sets into place an intrepid plan... 

Ultimately, Ava and Bowie have a multi-year affair during which time Ava influences Bowie's own career vis a vis trips to New York's Apollo Theater, thereby setting the stage for the award-winning Young Americans project. During this time, she also befriends young backup singer Luther Vandross.

In the 1980s, Ava becomes a Versace-clad international backing singer for Vandross. Life is exciting, but rehearsals prove grueling. The pressure to succeed is on, as Ava feels constantly judged by her contemporaries-she sweats bullets when Diana Ross occupies a front row seat. On the other hand, Ava enjoys mentoring the likes of a young Whitney Houston.

Finally, Ava returns home to embark on her debut recording project, Ripe, helmed by producer Curtis Mayfield (Super Fly). She then works on the follow-up, Streetcar Named Desire, with producer Bob Esty (Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer). While Ava is grateful for the opportunity to work with such gifted producers, there is a dark side; she sadly discovers that talent is not enough-Ava faces discrimination on the airwaves. She is championed by former Blood, Sweat and Tears drummer/producer Bobby Colomby for one of her breakout albums, but Ava's solo career struggles, nonetheless.

Throughout this memoir, Ava recounts fascinating tales of memorable times spent in the orbit of a multitude of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Bob Marley, among many others. She also has a heartwarming moment with Frank Sinatra and a humorous encounter in England with the Queen Mother.

What will quickly become apparent to the reader is Ava's resilience, as she branches out into rap and contemporary dance music and forges an enviable collaboration with a world-class Portuguese guitarist and Chicago "House" icon Frankie Knuckles. Ava's appearances at major Bowie fests and museum exhibits around the world keep her name front and center in the post-Bowie/Vandross years.  

As Ava's contemporary dance records continue to soar up the international charts, she enjoys reconnecting with her longtime fans as well as inspiring the next generation of artists.