ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the literary legacies of several journalists who influenced the beginnings of the sub-genre of rock and roll journalism. These include Nick Cohn, Richard Meltzer, Lester Bangs, Nick Kent, Greil Marcus, and Nick Tosches. The discussion focuses on elements of writing style that distinguish between literary music journalist and music critic, including first-person point of view; writing that situates the music culturally, socially and politically; and writing makes the reader “hear” or even “feel” the music, a form of synesthesia. The discussion ends with posing these questions: Has music journalism survived, or even, can it survive in the modern era, and who carries on the traditions today?