VIA PRESS RELEASE | Vol. 9: 1992 and Vol. 10: 1983 of On Record, a comprehensive series of award-winning books celebrating popular music from 1978 to 1998, have just been published. “I’m thrilled and grateful to see this 21-book series arrive at the halfway point,” says author and Colorado Music Experience director G. Brown.
Vol. 9: 1992 sees the rise of the grunge movement (Nirvana’s Nevermind) and the continued emergence of hip-hop, plus controversial recordings (from Ice-T’s “Cop Killer” to Madonna’s Erotica) and the performances at MTV’s Unplugged. Also the year in country (the first No. 1s for Wynonna, Collin Raye and Tracy Lawrence) and heavy metal, shoegaze, and riotgrrrl.
Vol. 10: 1983 covers bands at their commercial peak (Genesis, The Police), U2’s first global hit (War) and David Bowie’s biggest success (Let’s Dance), plus acts finally making it big (Prince, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard). Kiss appearing sans makeup (Lick It Up), Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All breaking ground for the thrash-metal genre, and Quiet Riot’s Metal Health becoming the first heavy-metal album to hit No. 1. Also acts of the second British Invasion, plus country, hip-hop and jazz.
Marking more than 50 years as one of America’s foremost popular music writers, G. Brown has interviewed more than 3,000 musicians, ranging from superstars to one-hit wonders in every genre—pop, rock, country and hip-hop to punk, folk, alternative and beyond. Each edition overflows with rare, powerful and informative editorial photographs from Brown’s personal archive of close to 15,000 images amassed over decades. These beautifully crafted, reader-friendly volumes, presented in a lively, engaging style, invite perusing at any point within the book.
“G. Brown is one of the premier historians and writers of our generation. His On Record books give readers insight and access to those who have made history in the world of popular music, and you get a glimpse into his unique and personal style of interviewing. This great series belongs in everyone’s music library!” says Richie Furay, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
“G. Brown’s passion for and knowledge of all things music have always made interviews and conversations with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band a distinct pleasure. Do yourself a favor and check out his On Record book series,” says Jeff Hanna, Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | G. Brown has navigated the world’s musical landscape for decades as a journalist, broadcaster and historian. He contracted with The Denver Post for 26 years, interviewing more than 3,000 musicians—from Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen to Bono and Kurt Cobain. Published in numerous national magazines including Rolling Stone and National Lampoon, Brown also covered music news and hosted and programmed for myriad Denver-based radio stations.
He is the author of Red Rocks: The Concert Years, a comprehensive history of America’s most iconic outdoor music venue, as well as Colorado’s Rock Chronicles and Telluride Bluegrass Festival: The First Forty Years. He was the founding director of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame beginning in 2011; he then launched and now oversees Colorado Music Experience, a non-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to preserving musical legacies. Proceeds from On Record book sales benefit CoME.
