Robert Hilburn
Robert Hilburn | |
|---|---|
 Hilburn in front of his personal library in 2010 | |
| Born | September 25, 1939 |
| Alma mater | California State University, Northridge |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | Kathy and Robert Hilburn[1] |
| Website | www |
Robert Hilburn(born September 25, 1939) is an Americanpop musiccritic, author, and radio host. As critic andmusic editorat theLos Angeles Timesfrom 1970 to 2005, his reviews, essays and profiles appeared in publications around the world.[2]Hilburn has since written a memoir and best-selling biographies ofJohnny CashandPaul Simon.He was a member of the nominating committee ofthe Rock and Roll Hall of Famefor more than twenty years, and lives in Los Angeles.
Early life
[edit]Hilburn was born inNatchitoches, Louisiana,and lived there until he was five, mostly on his grandfather’s cotton farm in nearbyCampti.During those years, and when visiting his grandparents in later summers, he was exposed to the blues andcountry musicstyles that eventually gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll. After a few years inDallas, Texas,he moved with his family toSouthern California,where he graduated fromReseda High Schoolin 1957 andCalifornia State University, Northridge(journalism degree) in 1961. He worked as a news reporter on a suburban Los Angeles newspaper (theValley Times TODAY) for two years, but tired of journalism and became apublic information officerfor theLos Angeles Unified School Districtin the mid-1960s. While there he began to miss writing around the same time he fell in love with the work ofBob Dylanandthe Beatles.Eager to write about music, Hilburn did a series of freelance pieces on such figures asJohnny CashandJanis Joplinfor theLos Angeles Timesbefore being hired full-time by the paper.[3]
The Los Angeles Times
[edit]Hilburn began writing at theLos Angeles Timesin 1966,[4]replacingPete Johnsonas rock critic in 1970.[5]While at theTimes,Hilburn accompanied several artists on landmark tours, including Johnny Cash for his celebratedFolsom Prisonconcert,Elton John's inaugural visit to Russia,Paul Simon's “Graceland” tour stop in Zimbabwe, and Bob Dylan's first concert swing through Israel. He spent a week on the road withthe Sex Pistolsduring the British band's first U.S. tour. At theTimes,Hilburn wrote about the new pop culture movements of punk, techno and rap.
He also wrote extensively about many major figures of pop-rock, including numerous significant interviews withBob Dylan,David Bowie,Bruce Springsteen,andU2.[3]Hilburn, too, has been widely credited with helping launch or advance the careers ofElton John,John Prine,Patti Smith,The Eagles,Tom Petty,Prince,Elvis Costello,Guns N' Roses,Rage Against the Machine,Nine Inch Nails,Ice Cube,Public Enemy,Eminem,The White Stripes,Arcade Fire,andX.[6]
Other work
[edit]In 1985, Hilburn published a Bruce Springsteen biography as one in a series ofRolling Stone Pressbooks. He releasedCorn Flakes with John Lennon,focusing on the work and influence ofJohn Lennon,Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash,Bruce Springsteen,Stevie Wonder,Phil Spector,Michael Jackson,U2,Kurt CobainandN.W.A.[7]
In 2013, Hilburn published a biography ofJohnny CashtitledJohnny Cash: The Life.[8][9]Michiko Kakutani,the chief book critic of theNew York Times,named the biography as one of her ten favorite books of the year.[10]Kirkus called it, "an instant-classic music biography with something to offer all generations of listeners."[11]
Five years later, Hilburn published a biography ofPaul SimontitledPaul Simon: The Life.[12]Author Stephen King praised the book as one of the few works that offered insight into "the creative development of a gifted artist." Rolling Stone declared the book "epic" and "definitive".
Hilburn hosts a weekly Tuesday evening music program,Rock 'n' Roll Times,onKCSN,a public broadcasting radio station in the Los Angeles area.[13]
References
[edit]- ^abHilburn, Robert (May 28, 2019).Paul Simon: The Life.Simon and Schuster. p. 395.ISBN9781501112133.
- ^Kinchen, David (November 3, 2013)."Book Review: 'Johnny Cash': Meticulous Attention to Facts Sets Robert Hilburn's Biography Apart".Huntington News.RetrievedDecember 12,2013.
- ^ab"CORN FLAKES WITH JOHN LENNON AND OTHER TALES FROM A ROCK 'N' ROLL LIFE".Kirkus Reviews.September 15, 2009.
- ^Camacho, Natalie L. (September 26, 2017)."Music Critic Thanks CSUN for Helping Him Land" The Best Job in the World "".CSUN TODAY.
- ^Robert Christgau."A History of Rock Criticism"(PDF).p. 140.RetrievedFebruary 21,2014.
- ^Bemis, Alec Hanley."What's happened to Robert Hilburn's rock'n'roll heroes?".Arcade.
- ^Boucher, Geoff (October 11, 2009)."Who is Robert Hilburn? A champion and an advocate".Los Angeles Times.
- ^Hilburn, Robert (2013).Johnny Cash: The Life (Deckle Edge).New York, New York: Little Brown and Company.ISBN978-0-316-19475-4.
- ^"Biography Doesn't Hold Back On Darkest Years Of 'The Man In Black'".Morning Edition.NPR. October 29, 2013.
- ^Kakutani, Michiko (December 19, 2013)."Michiko Kakutani's 10 Favorite Books of 2013".New York Times.
- ^"JOHNNY CASH - THE LIFE".Kirkus Reviews.
- ^Greene, Andy (May 8, 2018)."Inside Paul Simon's Definitive New Biography".RollingStone.
- ^"Rock 'n' Roll Times".KCSN.
Further reading
[edit]- Hilburn, Robert(January 1, 1991)."A Revitalized X Reunites: The pioneering '80s band returns to the L.A. rock scene for the first time in nearly two years with new-found energy. Can an album be far behind?".Pop Music Review.Los Angeles Times.
- Hilburn, Robert(May 17, 1987)."10 YEARS LATER: A Critic's List of the Best Albums of the Decade".Los Angeles Times.
External links
[edit]- Official website- roberthilburnonline.com
- "Cornflakes with John Lennon".Archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2009.
