Craig Marks

Craig Marks is an American music journalist and editor who has held senior positions at several major music publications, including serving as the executive editor of Spin magazine and editorial director of Billboard. He worked as an editor at Spin during its influential period in the 1990s. Marks co-authored "I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution" (2011) with Rob Tannenbaum. The book provides an oral history of MTV's first decade through extensive interviews with musicians, executives, and MTV personalities, becoming a definitive account of the network's early years. His writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and GQ. Marks has covered various aspects of popular music and culture, with particular focus on alternative rock and the evolution of music media. In addition to his editorial work, Marks served as Vice President of Music Editorial for BlogTalkRadio and has contributed commentary on music industry topics for various media outlets.

Readers consistently note Marks' insider access and thorough research in "I Want My MTV," his main published work. The book's oral history format receives praise for capturing MTV's chaotic early culture through direct quotes. What readers liked: - Comprehensive interviews providing multiple perspectives - Behind-the-scenes details about music video production - Clear chronological organization of MTV's evolution - Balance of business insights and entertainment anecdotes What readers disliked: - Some repetition between interview subjects - Focus mainly on 1981-1992 period - Limited coverage of certain genres and artists - Occasional confusion about who is speaking Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 from 3,800+ ratings Amazon: 4.5/5 from 450+ reviews Sample reader comment: "The oral history approach lets you hear directly from people who were there, with all the contradictions and messiness intact" (Goodreads reviewer) Critical consensus views Marks as a knowledgeable music industry chronicler who effectively compiled MTV's origin story through primary sources.

I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution (2011) An oral history of MTV's first decade, based on over 400 interviews with VJs, musicians, directors, and network executives.

How To Rock: The Ultimate Guide To Rock & Roll Success (1985) A how-to manual covering music industry basics, from forming a band to securing record deals and managing tours.

Rock Almanac: The First Four Decades of Rock 'n' Roll (1989) A chronological compilation of rock music milestones, events, and statistics from the 1950s through the 1980s.

Chuck Klosterman writes about popular culture through observations on music, sports, media and society. His essays blend analysis and interviews to explore cultural phenomena in a similar investigative style to Marks.

Rob Sheffield focuses on music criticism and personal memoir writing centered around rock and pop. He brings music industry knowledge and cultural context into his work while maintaining a focus on key moments and personalities.

Steven Hyden examines music history through deep analysis of rivalries, genres, and cultural movements. His focus on connections between artists and broader trends parallels Marks' approach to music journalism.

Alex Ross reports on music through a blend of historical research and critical analysis. His work combines industry insight with social context to document musical movements and scenes.

David Browne chronicles musicians and bands through research-based narratives and interviews. He emphasizes the cultural context and behind-the-scenes details of musical developments like Marks.