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New biography on JYD set for release

Posted: Apr 3rd 2012 By: mikeiles

April 2, 2012. Toronto. Fourteen years after his tragic death on June 2nd, 1998, the publication of a new book aims to commemorate the remarkable life achievements of Sylvester Ritter aka Junkyard Dog (JYD).

The King of New Orleans: How the Junkyard Dog Became Professional Wrestling?s First Black Superstar by Greg Klein (ECW Press, June 2012) is a fascinating biography that chronicles the early days of Ritter?s wrestling career, his most famous feuds as Junkyard Dog, the wrestling business back-stories, and his life outside the ring to describe how JYD became an African-American idol and a household name.

Greg Klein, a New York-based writer, actor and producer, explains his motive to research and write the book is personal, ?I went to school in the Deep South, and I am a student of the Civil Rights Era. The more I looked into the promoter?s decision to make JYD the star of Mid South, the more amazing I found it to be. This was the Deep South in 1979! It was an amazing decision and [Ritter] was an amazing man to be able to pull it off.?

The King of New Orleans is the most complete portrait of JYD to date and is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man still fondly remembered in the hearts of wrestling fans. JYD will be inducted in to the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame this year at their 11th annual Induction Weekend, May 18th and 19th, in Amsterdam, New York.

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