Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker, Gay Superstar

Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker, Gay Superstar
by Roger Edmonson, Roger Edmonson

Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker, Gay Superstar
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Book Summary Information

Author: Roger Edmonson
Principal: Drew Okun
Publisher: Alyson Publications
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-10-01
ISBN: 1555835295
Number of pages: 210
Publisher: Alyson Books

Book Reviews of Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker, Gay Superstar

Book Review: compelling portrait of porn pioneer
Summary: 5 Stars

As a long-time admirer of Al Parker, I was delighted to stumble across this account of his life. The author's access to intimate details of Parker's youth made for compelling reading, especially the macabre accounts of Al's losing his virginity to a knife-wielding psychopath! Al's experiences at Woodstock were a hoot. I also found the story of his entry into the porn world with the encouragement of his lover to be very interesting. I had always imagined Rip Colt to be as hot as the men he photographed. What an eye-opener that was!

The background info on the films themselves was very welcome to an aficionado like myself. I've seen them all a hundred times and the insider gossip and behind-the-scenes details make for interesting reading.

Most of all, I was delighted to discover just how ordinary this sexual icon of gay liberation really was. To know that he was involved in a serious relationship that spanned fifteen years, all the while fueling fantasy fires across the gay spectrum was quite a turn-on for me. It was also gratifying to read about his pioneering efforts in bringing safer sex to the gay, X-rated video screen.

While checking out this site, I couldn't help but notice that a couple of people had just the opposite opinion of this book. All I can think is that they didn't read it carefully, or that they expected Al Parker to be what he seemed to be on film. From all I gathered from the book, Drew Okun was a great guy. I wish I could have known him.

Read the book and you'll have a better sense of the gay porn industry from its early years through the AIDS crisis. Kudos to Roger Edmonson for giving substance to a legendary figure in underground gay culture.

Summary of Clone: The Life and Legacy of Al Parker, Gay Superstar

Al Parker's story, as uncovered by Edmonson, reveals a young man out of place in his world who would find his home in front of and behind the camera as the star of 21 adult films and the founder of Surge Studios, celebrating the rough and raw sexuality he came to symbolize. And like so many young men of his day, he would be cut down early in life by AIDS-but not before making an even more lasting impact as a crusader who was willing to put his career on the line to make a statement about safer-sex practices, a statement that would immortalize him finally as the personification of a more responsible gay sexuality.

Roger Edmonson is the author of Boy in the Sand: Casey Donovan, All-American Sex Star and Silverwolf He lives in Seattle.

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