Synopsis:
Updated and revised edition of a detailed collection of biographies of rock stars. Charts the year-by-year histories of the most successful and influential acts of the last 50 years, and spans a diversity of popular music including rock, rhythm and blues, country, folk, reggae, punk, alternative, heavy metal, rap, and electronica. Arranged alphabetically according to soloists names or band names. approximately 200 of the entries include b&w photographs. Rees and Crampton are the co-founders of Media Research and & Information Bureau and have written several books. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Review:
Beware the person who tries to read this hefty reference cover to cover. And don't think they're not out there ... or rather, they're inside, attempting to fulfill their insatiable appetites for music and its attendant minutiae. Despite its rock-referencing moniker, Rock Stars Encyclopedia ranges from genre to genre, chronicling notable artists specializing in hip-hop, country, folk, reggae, electronica, and beyond. Organized first by artist and then by major events in the performer's career, the VH1-branded tome provides basic background in addition to milestones. Over 1,000 performers are spotlighted, ranging from the now-obscure (Brit pop pixie Lulu, for one) to the mega-star (Michael Jackson earns seven-plus pages, with an index of everything from his first meeting with Quincy Jones at age 10 to breaking his wrist in early 1999). The small type, great bulk, and roll-call structure makes Rock Stars Encyclopedia an essential thumb-through reference guide. And to those fanatics who plan on methodically working through the 1,100 pages, keep a bookmark handy and get some sun now and then. --Steven Stolder
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