VH1 Rock Stars Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Dafydd Rees (Author), Luke Crampton (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up

The ultimate A-Z of rock history -- more entries, more photographs, more information than ever before.

Fully updated and revised, charting the history of popular music from its earliest roots to the millennium. The most accurate and detailed collection of rock biographies ever assembled, and for the first time illustrated throughout with over 200 photographs. Year-by-year biographies and chart histories of the most successful and influential acts of the last 50 years, from Elvis Presley and the Beatles to Jewel and Barenaked Ladies. VH1 rock Stars Encyclopedia spans the huge diversity of poplar music: rock 'n' roll, R & B, country, folk, reggae, punk, alternative, heavy metal, rap, and electronica. Written by two of the world's leading popular music historians, this is the rock bible other encyclopedias use for reference.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.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

From Booklist

In what year did the Artist Formerly Known as Prince change his name? Primary arrangement in this volume is alphabetical by musician or group, but information within each entry is chronological, providing a way to track careers.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 1042 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; Revised edition (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789446138
• ISBN-13: 978-0789446138
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #883,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot went into this DETAILED yet easy to reference gem!, May 26, 2000

By 

Knyte "To The Stars" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: VH1 Rock Stars Encyclopedia (Paperback)

I will keep this short. This is an excellent book, especially for those who may be aspiring music journalists like myself. For example, this book had more information about the late Donny Hathaway than any other work I've come across. When I flipped through it at my local bookstore and saw how big & detailed their Donny Hathaway section was, I was sold.

Refreshingly, this encyclopedia features a healthy balance of American and European popular acts, ultimately exposing you to many artists that you may have never heard of. Okay, I will concede that you may not find the most 'underground' musicicians in here, but hey - I was stunned to find the Brit pop/R&B group 'Five Star' in here. But then again - it's over 1000 pages - with pictures!

I have one question though - how could they forget Tony Toni Tone? They are one of the most influential soul/R&B BANDS (they played instruments) to come out of the 1980s and 1990s! But other than that major slip-up, this book will have a 95% chance of having what you're looking for, and those are pretty good odds if you ask me!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book, March 26, 2000

By 

D. H. OBrien (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: VH1 Rock Stars Encyclopedia (Paperback)

This is the one book that all music lovers should buy, whether you are just a music fan, the college DJ or the radio DJ because of all the detailed information that they give you about each artist. I found this book in Tower Records at I was ready to buy it right then and there, because it was awesome. They list all of the different artist alphabetically from David Bowie to Whitney Houston to Buddy Holly. It has almost, if not every artist ever to record a song. It has a time line detailing there life, which schools they went to, and all of their records. As a former college disc jockey, and someone that is trying to break into radio now as an intern, and a music lover with hundreds of CD's, I highly recommend this book. Satifaction is guaranteed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish there was more!, December 26, 2007

By 

Timothy W. Osius "rock zap" (Cape Canaveral, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: VH1 Rock Stars Encyclopedia (Paperback)

This is a fabulous reference book for anyone interested in the varied genre of rock and roll. Great source book and historical documentation of bands and individual musicians. Makes you wish there was a follow up for the period after that covered in this volume. A must for anyone curious about the evolution of rock and roll!