Pioneering Voice in Rock Music Journalism Passes Away

Dave Marsh, the highly influential and widely respected rock critic for Creem, The Village Voice, and Rolling Stone, as well as the acclaimed author of the foundational Bruce Springsteen biography ‘Born to Run’, has passed away at the age of 76. Marsh’s death was confirmed by his friend Jim Rotolo on Facebook, following an extended period of declining health.

Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Marsh was instrumental in launching the Detroit-based Creem magazine, where he wrote for the publication through the early 1970s. He later began a multi-year tenure as an editor and critic at Rolling Stone, where he shepherded the first edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide in 1979.

Marsh’s writing career spanned over 25 titles, including two books about Bruce Springsteen: ‘Born to Run’ and ‘Glory Days’, which chronicled the singer-songwriter’s life story through the peak MTV era. In 2003, Marsh combined the two biographies into a single-volume work, ‘Bruce Springsteen: Two Hearts’, which included an additional chapter to update the story.

In addition to his Springsteen biographies, Marsh wrote ‘Before I Get Old’, a biography of The Who, and ‘The Heart of Rock & Soul’, in which he named the 1,001 greatest singles ever. His #1 choice was Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine.’

Marsh also collected his reviews and essays in several volumes, including ‘Fortunate Son’ and ‘Kick Out the Jams’. His 1993 book ‘Louie Louie: The History and Mythology of the World’s Most Famous Rock ‘n’ Roll Song’ chronicled the cultural impact of that 1963 hit song.

Along with his old Rolling Stone boss and colleague Jann Wenner, Marsh helped found and maintain the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Marsh joined SiriusXM in 2004 and hosted the weekly ‘Kick Out the Jams’ show for 19 years, launching the Springsteen-centric programs ‘Live from E Street Nation’ and ‘Live From the Land of Hopes and Dreams’.

Marsh is survived by his wife, Barbara Carr, a longtime Springsteen co-manager as a partner in Jon Landau Management. He was predeceased by his daughters, Kristen Ann Carr and Sasha Carr.

A native of Pontiac, Michigan, Marsh was a devotee of Detroit’s Motown and Motor City scenesters Iggy Pop and the Stooges. He was instrumental in launching the Detroit-based Creem magazine and wrote for the magazine through the early 1970s. Marsh was a true pioneer in rock music journalism, known for his intelligence, passion, and dead-serious intent.