Totally Wired: The Rise and Fall of the Music Press

Totally Wired offers a raucous yet reflective look back at the evolution of the music press and the passionate rock and pop journalists who defined the music of the 20th century. This definitive story traces the rise and fall of music journalism on both sides of the Atlantic, from its humble beginnings nearly 100 years ago. This potent creative breeding ground for countless writers, publishers, photographers, designers, and music-makers pushed the boundaries of journalistic endeavour and influenced the wider worlds of film, media, and pop culture.

Focusing on developments from the 1950s to the 2000s—a period that saw rock 'n' roll, mod, the Summer of Love, glam, punk, pop, reggae, dance music, R&B, and hip-hop—Paul Gorman chronicles the stories of individual magazines. He starts with their Tin Pan Alley origins and the countercultural foundations of Rolling Stone and the underground press. He then explores the 1970s heyday of NME, Melody Maker, and Sounds, as well as punk-rock publications like Sniffin' Glue and Temporary Hoarding. The book tracks the emergence of dedicated monthlies such as Q, The Face, and Mojo, alongside dance-culture independents like Boy's Own and Jockey Slut. It also spotlights feminist and Riot Grrrl 'zines like Ben Is Dead and Girlfrenzy, along with the rise of media by and for people of colour, from Black Music and Black Echoes in the 1970s to The Source, Vibe, and XXL in the 1990s.

Evoking the music press's kaleidoscopic visual identities, Totally Wired is illustrated throughout with rare and legendary magazine artwork. Painting a complete picture of the scene, Gorman discusses the role played by writers such as Lester Bangs, Charles Shaar Murray, and Nick Kent in the development of careers for artists including David Bowie, The Clash, and Led Zeppelin. He also addresses the entrenched sexism and racism faced by women and those from marginalised communities, highlighting publications and individuals whose contributions have been unfairly overlooked. The resulting narrative, containing stories of boundless talent, blind ambition, and sometimes bitter rivalry, makes Totally Wired a riveting and roller-coaster read.