Austin Sun
Encyclopedia
The Austin Sun was a bi-weekly counter-culture newspaper, similar in nature to Rolling Stone
during the latter's formative years, that was published in Austin, Texas
, between 1974 and 1978. It is notable for being the newspaper that started the careers of many persons who later became well-known in journalism and other media. It was also a precursor to the L.A. Weekly, which commenced publication in 1978, and the Austin Chronicle
, which commenced publication in 1981. Both the L.A. Weekly and the Austin Chronicle continue to publish. Both also remain associated with persons who were originally with the Austin Sun. The social and cultural impact of the Austin Sun is recognized through being indexed by the Library of Congress
, as well as through ongoing reunion activities.
in New York City
and associated with The Rag
underground newspaper in Austin. Nightbyrd established the paper with Michael Eakin, a former editor at the Daily Texan, the student newspaper
of the University of Texas at Austin
. They were later joined by J. David Moriarty as managing editor, and considered to be the only person at the paper with business expertise.
The paper's first issue was published on October 17, 1974. Its last issue was published on June 29, 1978. Unlike underground newspapers, which published much counter-culture social and political commentary by way of volunteer submissions, the Austin Sun was intended to be a commercially viable enterprise, with formal advertising programs and paid staff positions.
Despite intentions in relation to commercial viability, most staff members of the Austin Sun needed to have full-time jobs elsewhere to provide for themselves. Jeff Nightbyrd regularly offered employees stock in lieu of salaries, though the stock, being printed paper in relation to a private company, bore no relationship to the actual value of the business.
The Austin Sun was instrumental in advancing the careers of many artists. It is considered to be the first newspaper to advance to a wider audience the careers of Stevie Ray Vaughan
, Joe Ely
, Marcia Ball
and Butch Hancock
, among others. It also covered the first American performances of Elvis Costello
, at the Armadillo World Headquarters
, and the Sex Pistols
, in San Antonio.
Following the cessation of publication of the Austin Sun in 1978, several of its writers relocated to Los Angeles, forming the core first editorial group of the L.A. Weekly, which commenced publication that same year. Some of those same writers became key contributors to the Austin Chronicle
, when it commenced publication in 1981. A reunion of Austin Sun staff members was held in October, 2009. A website was established by former staff members Bill Hood and Deborah Stall, where former staff members and readers of the Austin Sun regularly share recollections and updates.
Protection of the Austin Sun name appears to have been lost, in that the name is currently used by an internet news site with no evident association with the original Austin Sun ownership.
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
during the latter's formative years, that was published in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, between 1974 and 1978. It is notable for being the newspaper that started the careers of many persons who later became well-known in journalism and other media. It was also a precursor to the L.A. Weekly, which commenced publication in 1978, and the Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle
The Austin Chronicle is an alternative weekly, tabloid-style newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demographic...
, which commenced publication in 1981. Both the L.A. Weekly and the Austin Chronicle continue to publish. Both also remain associated with persons who were originally with the Austin Sun. The social and cultural impact of the Austin Sun is recognized through being indexed by the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
, as well as through ongoing reunion activities.
History
The paper was co-founded by Jeff Nightbyrd (formerly Jeff Shero), who had been the editor of The RatRat (Newspaper)
Rat Subterranean News, New York's second major underground newspaper, was created in March 1968, primarily by editor Jeff Shero, Alice Embree and Gary Thiher, who moved up from Austin, Texas, where they had been involved in The Rag.-Beginnings:...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and associated with The Rag
The Rag
The Rag was an underground paper published in Austin, Texas from 1966-1977. The sixth member of the Underground Press Syndicate, The Rag was one of the most influential of the early underground papers, known for its unique blend of radical politics, alternative culture and humor.- Early history...
underground newspaper in Austin. Nightbyrd established the paper with Michael Eakin, a former editor at the Daily Texan, the student newspaper
Student newspaper
A student newspaper is a newspaper run by students of a university, high school, middle school, or other school. These papers traditionally cover local and, primarily, school or university news....
of the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. They were later joined by J. David Moriarty as managing editor, and considered to be the only person at the paper with business expertise.
The paper's first issue was published on October 17, 1974. Its last issue was published on June 29, 1978. Unlike underground newspapers, which published much counter-culture social and political commentary by way of volunteer submissions, the Austin Sun was intended to be a commercially viable enterprise, with formal advertising programs and paid staff positions.
Despite intentions in relation to commercial viability, most staff members of the Austin Sun needed to have full-time jobs elsewhere to provide for themselves. Jeff Nightbyrd regularly offered employees stock in lieu of salaries, though the stock, being printed paper in relation to a private company, bore no relationship to the actual value of the business.
The Austin Sun was instrumental in advancing the careers of many artists. It is considered to be the first newspaper to advance to a wider audience the careers of Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
, Joe Ely
Joe Ely
Joe Ely is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist whose music touches on honky-tonk, Texas Country, Tex-Mex and rock and roll....
, Marcia Ball
Marcia Ball
Marcia Ball is an American blues singer and pianist, born in Orange, Texas but who grew up in Vinton, Louisiana. She was described in USA Today as "a sensation, saucy singer and superb pianist.....
and Butch Hancock
Butch Hancock
Butch Hancock is a country/folk music recording artist and song writer. He was born July 12, 1945 in Lubbock, Texas. Hancock is a member of The Flatlanders along with Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, but he has principally performed a solo career....
, among others. It also covered the first American performances of Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, at the Armadillo World Headquarters
Armadillo World Headquarters
The Armadillo World Headquarters was the premier music hall and entertainment center in Austin, Texas, United States from 1970 to 1980.-History:...
, and the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
, in San Antonio.
Following the cessation of publication of the Austin Sun in 1978, several of its writers relocated to Los Angeles, forming the core first editorial group of the L.A. Weekly, which commenced publication that same year. Some of those same writers became key contributors to the Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle
The Austin Chronicle is an alternative weekly, tabloid-style newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demographic...
, when it commenced publication in 1981. A reunion of Austin Sun staff members was held in October, 2009. A website was established by former staff members Bill Hood and Deborah Stall, where former staff members and readers of the Austin Sun regularly share recollections and updates.
Protection of the Austin Sun name appears to have been lost, in that the name is currently used by an internet news site with no evident association with the original Austin Sun ownership.
External Links
- Austin Sun Reunion
- Austin Sun Photographs by J.R. Compton Photographs from 1975-1976.
- Austin Sun Reunion Photographs by J.R. Compton Reunion photographs, 2009.