Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton – A Biography of Jazz Era Music That Reads Like a Detective Story

This is the true story of jazz pianist Billy Tipton. A talented but little known pianist outside of the club circuit.Billy had a "secret" that no one would discover until his death. Did Billy become this person to break into a male dominated business or was it because this was who he really was?It is an interesting story of the era, his life, and what was deemed acceptable. As a reader, I had more questions about the life he either chose to or had to live. The secrets, the lies, who knew, why wasn't his career more profound.These are the answers he took to his grave.

I am familiar with Billy Tipton through his two records and a few magazine articles I had read in my early teens. When I found out this book existed I was very eager to get my hands on a copy. Even though I am well aware that there is no way to get a completely accurate picture of a man who died in 1989, I still had a few expectations: Small facts about his gigs, perhaps a well educated opinion piece on transgender issues, stuff like that. The author delivered on facts, though I can't say that they would be too interesting to anyone who wasn't already interested in the first place. Personally I found the author's writing style to be a tad too dry, but I was still satisfied with that aspect of the book. If Middlebrook had stuck to the facts, I might have rated it a 4.Unfortunately, as I should have guessed from the title, the author felt it would be appropriate to sneak in her uneducated opinion on Tipton's story. Really early on in the book (page 8) Middlebrook insinuates that Billy, living as a married/divorced straight man (complete with a male gender marker on his ID) with adopted children who saw him as a father, was simply an act for the sake of an intentional low-key career in Jazz and that "she" wanted "her" accomplishments to be brought to light in the end, as if his death was all part of the show. I'm no expert, but not only is this theory unlikely, it makes for annoyingly poor reading.There isn't a lot of information on Billy Tipton out there, so if you are really interested in him get the book. If you are looking for an informed and educated opinion on transgender issues and how they could have applied to Tipton, walk the other way and don't look back.

It really shouldn't have taken me as long as it did to get through this book. Dorothy "Billy" Tipton's life was fascinating, bold, joyous, sad and unusual. Her life as a talented male jazz musician, at a time when it was challenging for women to get gigs as serious jazz musicians is well chronicled in this book. But despite all the facts, occasional speculation, and details of Billy Tiptons life, this was a very dry read and at times a chore.Yes, I was fully engaged in the STORY because on it's own it is quite powerful and intriguing. It was expertly researched, but Ms. Middlebrook's prose leaves something to be desired. Read this book to learn how this woman spent most of her life as a man, and had wives, lovers and children (adopted), many who didn't know she was a man. However, if you are looking for exciting reading, this book will leave you dissapointed.

Billy Tipton, the product of flamboyant parents, was exposed to the Depression Era's rich jazz scene via radio. Knowing her options were limited as a female, she took the guise of a male for the rest of her days, living with various clueless women who were willing to settle for a celibate relationship. Alas, her success was both initiated and limited by her masquerade. There were simply too many people who remembered her as "Dorothy" back in Oklahoma, and she had to turn down many high profiloe musical gigs as a result. Ironically, her big break in the Fifties that she had to turn down was the opening spot for Liberace! "Suits Me" is a fine example of detective work and offbeat 20th Century history.

This is a well-written biography of an amazing person. Billy Tipton was a trailblazer and went as far as he could given his circumstances. I wasn't expecting much from the writing, but it was engaging, well researching, and left my heart aching for Billy.

I couldn't believe it when I found this book. Billy Tipton was one of my great great uncles. This book is an exceptional story about a woman, who couldn't be a jazz performer, just because she was a woman, back in the day when men were the source of playing in a band. She, Dorothy Tipton, changed her looks and her name to Billy, found a way to perform on stage, without the ridicule of being a woman.Living the rest of her life as a man, was a surprise to even his adopted children, when he died. Great book.

I am always on the lookout for interesting books. I got the recommendation from Bob Dylan's show "Theme Time Radio" and I have to admit that I was a bit sceptical about Tipton's dual role and the attempted coverup and whether this book would end up being a dull one.It was neither, the story was fascinating and apparently true and the writing was vibrant.I came in with few expectations and ended up with no regrets. Enjoy it.

It arrived very slowly but it was exactly as shown and described. I has the dustcover and is in excellent condition.

A book about a trans man shouldn't open with "this is a story about a woman called Billy Tipton". Kinda tells you everything you need to know...