Author. In his autobiography, "The Naked Soul of Iceberg Slim: Robert Beck's Real Story," Maupin credits his mother's hard work and devotion in providing him a good early life including college at Tuskegee University. Unfortunately, his bootlegging on campus got him expelled. His attraction to street life, led him into a thirty year career as a pimp. He confessed also to being both calm in some situations and ruthless in others especially as it applied to his stable of prostitutes. His sometimes cold demeanor earned him the name "Iceberg Slim." After serving ten months in jail in 1961, he gave up the criminal life and moved to Los Angeles, changing his name to Robert Beck. He met Betty Shue, his common law wife, with whom he would have three daughters. She encouraged him to write the story of his life. Since many of his former employees and fellow pimps were still alive, he changed names or created composite characters, but he did not sanitize his experiences. "Pimp: The Story of My Life" was published in 1967 as a brutally honest, at times, horrifying view of criminality and prostitution. The book sold nearly two million copies by 1973 and had been translated into many different languages. The album "Reflections" was released in 1976 which featured Maupin reciting part of his autobiography. His second novel, "Trick Baby" was adapted for the screen in 1972 and was a success at American cinemas. He married Diane Millman in 1982. In total he wrote ten books, and sold over six million copies before his death. His last three novels were published posthumously. He became more reclusive in his final years and he died from liver failure. He remains one of the best selling African-American writers. A film "Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp" opened to limited release in 2012.
Author. In his autobiography, "The Naked Soul of Iceberg Slim: Robert Beck's Real Story," Maupin credits his mother's hard work and devotion in providing him a good early life including college at Tuskegee University. Unfortunately, his bootlegging on campus got him expelled. His attraction to street life, led him into a thirty year career as a pimp. He confessed also to being both calm in some situations and ruthless in others especially as it applied to his stable of prostitutes. His sometimes cold demeanor earned him the name "Iceberg Slim." After serving ten months in jail in 1961, he gave up the criminal life and moved to Los Angeles, changing his name to Robert Beck. He met Betty Shue, his common law wife, with whom he would have three daughters. She encouraged him to write the story of his life. Since many of his former employees and fellow pimps were still alive, he changed names or created composite characters, but he did not sanitize his experiences. "Pimp: The Story of My Life" was published in 1967 as a brutally honest, at times, horrifying view of criminality and prostitution. The book sold nearly two million copies by 1973 and had been translated into many different languages. The album "Reflections" was released in 1976 which featured Maupin reciting part of his autobiography. His second novel, "Trick Baby" was adapted for the screen in 1972 and was a success at American cinemas. He married Diane Millman in 1982. In total he wrote ten books, and sold over six million copies before his death. His last three novels were published posthumously. He became more reclusive in his final years and he died from liver failure. He remains one of the best selling African-American writers. A film "Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp" opened to limited release in 2012.
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
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TRUTH, STILL SHINING DOWN
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