Library Staff Love #16: Rock’s Backpages

As anyone who has listened to our latest Spotify playlist knows, Librarians have excellent taste in music. We’re not common people. We know our Bachs from our Back for Goods.

What we librarians also have excellent taste in is our selection of online resources, which is why for Library Staff Love #16 Alex, our Subject Librarian for Arts, has chosen to highlight Rocks Backpages.

Here’s why:

“Rock’s Backpages lets you explore rock and pop music history with over 30,000 articles of music journalism including interviews, feature articles and reviews. The articles are sourced from magazines such as Rolling Stone, Cream, NME, Mojo and Melody Maker with all genres covered from Country to Glam Rock and Trip-Hop. Coverage goes back to the early 1950s and is updated every week.

Some of my own personal favourites from the archive:

• A 1986 interview with Pulp that manages to cover dogs, wheelchairs and baked beans: http://0-www.rocksbackpages.com.wam.city.ac.uk/Library/Article/pulp-canine-revenge
• Nick Cave being a journalist’s nightmare in 1988: http://0-www.rocksbackpages.com.wam.city.ac.uk/Library/Article/nick-cave-the-needle-and-the-damage-done (“That’s what I am – a beautiful creep”)
• A classic 1963 interview with Leonard Cohen: http://0-www.rocksbackpages.com.wam.city.ac.uk/Library/Article/leonard-cohen-beautiful-creep

For anyone researching popular music or music writing this database is an essential resource. Search for “Rock’s Backpages” via City Library Search, then select the link to go directly to the site where you can browse and search by artist, publication, genre or journalist. The website itself also includes bonus audio and visual materials.”

When you access the link to Rock’s Backpages you’ll be prompted for your City Username and Password and then… hallelujah! You’ll have access to a treasure trove of musical matter.

Thanks for the suggestion Alex (such a good egg, definitely not a bad seed…)