Timothy White
Encyclopedia
Timothy White was a noted American rock music
journalist
and editor
.
White began his journalism career as a writer for the Associated Press
, but soon gravitated towards music writing. He was an editor for the rock magazine Crawdaddy!
in the late 1970s and a senior editor for Rolling Stone
magazine in the early 1980s, where he wrote a ground-breaking article detailing the destruction of Bob Hope
's face in a logging accident when Hope was in his teens, accounting for Hope's unusual nose and jaw. White was editor-in-chief of Billboard from 1991 until his death at age 50 of a heart attack in 2002.
White wrote several music-related biographies, including books on The Beach Boys
, Bob Marley
and James Taylor
, as well as several collections of columns and short pieces.
He also hosted and co-produced a nationally syndicated radio series, "Timothy White's Rock Stars/The Timothy White Sessions".
Sometimes eccentric in appearance (he often sported bow tie
s at concerts), White seemed an unlikely rock writer but was well respected for his honest, meticulously documented, and lively writing.
White was also the subject of a lyric by Eminem
, in which he raps: "Let me recite 'til Timothy White, pickets outside the Interscope
offices everynight." This lyric appears in the song "Bitch Please II" featuring Xzibit
, Dr. Dre
, Nate Dogg
, and Snoop Dogg
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
.
White began his journalism career as a writer for the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, but soon gravitated towards music writing. He was an editor for the rock magazine Crawdaddy!
Crawdaddy!
Crawdaddy! was the first U.S. magazine of rock and roll music criticism. Created in 1966 by college student Paul Williams in response to the increasing sophistication and cultural influence of popular music, Crawdaddy! was self-described as "the first magazine to take rock and roll...
in the late 1970s and a senior editor for Rolling Stone
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...
magazine in the early 1980s, where he wrote a ground-breaking article detailing the destruction of Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
's face in a logging accident when Hope was in his teens, accounting for Hope's unusual nose and jaw. White was editor-in-chief of Billboard from 1991 until his death at age 50 of a heart attack in 2002.
White wrote several music-related biographies, including books on The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
and James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
, as well as several collections of columns and short pieces.
He also hosted and co-produced a nationally syndicated radio series, "Timothy White's Rock Stars/The Timothy White Sessions".
Sometimes eccentric in appearance (he often sported bow tie
Bow tie
The bow tie is a type of men's necktie. It consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner such that the two opposite ends form loops. Ready-tied bow ties are available, in which the distinctive bow is sewn into shape and the band around the neck incorporates a clip....
s at concerts), White seemed an unlikely rock writer but was well respected for his honest, meticulously documented, and lively writing.
White was also the subject of a lyric by Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, in which he raps: "Let me recite 'til Timothy White, pickets outside the Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
offices everynight." This lyric appears in the song "Bitch Please II" featuring Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
, and Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
.
Selected bibliography
- Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1983
- Rock stars, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York, 1984
- Rock Lives: Profiles and Interviews, Henry Holt & Co, 1990
- The Nearest Far Away Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern California Experience, Henry Holt, NY, 1994
- Music to My Ears: The Billboard Essays, Henry Holt & Company, New York, 1996
- The Entertainers, Billboard Books, NY, 1998
- Mellencamp: Paintings and Reflections, Harper Perennial, 1998
- James Taylor Long Ago and Far Away, Omnibus Press, 2001