There are some voices in the Canadian musical canon that paint entire cinematic landscapes. Marc Jordan is one of those rare, essential artists. Today, he is thrilled to announce the release of Rhythm of My Heart: The Authorized Biography of Marc Jordan, a deep-dive exploration of a career that has shaped the sound of popular music for over fifty years. Written by Don Breithaupt and available now, this book offers an unprecedented look at the Brooklyn-born, Toronto-raised legend whose songs have sold over 35 million units and defined the uncompromising quality that is the hallmark of a true visionary. It’s now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indigo.
To chronicle such a sophisticated journey, Jordan enlisted a fellow traveler who understands the DNA of a great melody. Don Breithaupt is an Emmy-winning composer and the creative force behind the Juno-nominated project Monkey House. In his own words, Breithaupt found it a profound honour to put into print the story of a born storyteller and a famous wordsmith. The author, an alumnus of Berklee College of Music, previously penned the definitive volume on Steely Dan’s Aja, and states that he took pains to keep myself out of the story to ensure Jordan’s unbending commitment to originality remains the focal point of this narrative.
The scope of the biography is nothing short of a guided tour through the high-water marks of pop culture. Readers are given exclusive access to Jordan’s cauldron of popular music over the last half-century, featuring a Foreword by Marc Jordan himself and an array of exclusive photos documenting his life from 1951 to the present. The book features secondary interviews with an army of famous collaborators, including industry titans like David Foster and Rob Dickins, providing a who’s-who perspective on the high-stakes L.A. and Toronto music scenes.
Among the many milestones celebrated in the book, Rhythm of My Heart highlights Jordan’s meteoric rise following his 1978 signing to Warner Brothers, which was the biggest deal any Canadian had ever had in America at the time. The narrative details the creation of his global #1 hit, “Rhythm of My Heart,” and his scribe relationship with Rod Stewart, who has recorded five of Jordan’s compositions. The book also illuminates Jordan’s inspiring journey of overcoming profound dyslexia through creativity, transforming a childhood challenge into a savant-like ability to visualize music in three dimensions.
Beyond the solo hits like “Marina Del Rey” and “Survival,” the biography explores Jordan’s profound impact as a songwriter for iconic stars across multiple genres, including Diana Ross, Chicago, Cher, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, The Manhattan Transfer and more than a half-dozen for Rod Stewart. It tracks his artistic evolution from the slick, slippery West Coast sound of the late seventies to his recent, critically acclaimed orchestral and jazz albums like Both Sides. This creative resurgence has solidified his legacy as a recent inductee into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Rhythm of My Heart: The Authorized Biography of Marc Jordan is a celebration of redemption through art and the unwavering dedication to the craft of songwriting. Whether you are a devotee of the Yacht Rock era or a lover of intimate, jazzy solo works, this book is the definitive account of a songwriter’s songwriter.