Rob Tannenbaum

Rob Tannenbaum is an American journalist, author and music critic known for his coverage of popular music and culture. His work has appeared in major publications including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, GQ, and Playboy. Tannenbaum co-authored the 2011 book "I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution" with Craig Marks, which chronicles the early years and cultural impact of MTV through extensive interviews with musicians, executives and VJs. He also wrote "Going Grey in LA," a collection examining aging in Hollywood culture. As a contributing editor at Details magazine and later Billboard, Tannenbaum developed a reputation for insightful profiles and commentary on musicians and entertainment figures. His writing style combines deep cultural analysis with sharp humor and observation. Beyond print journalism, Tannenbaum has appeared as a pop culture commentator on television networks including VH1, CNN, and NBC. He has also taught journalism at New York University's graduate school of journalism.

Readers appreciate Tannenbaum's humor and interview-driven approach, particularly in "I Want My MTV." Many note his ability to weave together multiple perspectives into a coherent narrative about MTV's rise. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "The oral history format works perfectly - you feel like you're getting the real inside story." Readers liked: - Dense historical detail and research - Effective use of first-hand accounts - Balance between entertainment and analysis - Clear writing style that avoids music industry jargon Common criticisms: - Some sections drag with too many quotes - Occasional repetition between chapters - Limited coverage of MTV's later years - Focus mainly on executive perspectives rather than artists Review Metrics: Goodreads: 4.1/5 from 5,200+ ratings Amazon: 4.5/5 from 480+ ratings "I Want My MTV" maintains strong ratings across platforms, with 85% of reviews being 4 stars or higher. "Going Grey in LA" has fewer reviews but similar ratings at 4.2/5 on Goodreads.

I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution (2011) An oral history of MTV's first decade told through interviews with executives, VJs, artists, and industry figures who shaped the channel from 1981-1992.

Going Down on Me: The Life and Music of Adam Schlesinger (2023) A biography covering the career of Fountains of Wayne songwriter Adam Schlesinger through interviews with bandmates, collaborators, and family members.

The Porter's Quarter (2020) A memoir detailing the author's experiences growing up in Queens, New York during the 1970s.

Chuck Klosterman writes about pop culture, music, and relationships with a blend of memoir and cultural criticism. His books examine the intersection of personal experience and mass media, similar to Tannenbaum's approach to music journalism.

Robert Christgau provides analytical music criticism and personal narrative about the rock era and beyond. His work combines industry knowledge with firsthand accounts of the music scene, focusing on both mainstream and alternative artists.

Simon Reynolds chronicles music movements and subcultures through sociological and historical perspectives. His books connect musical developments to broader cultural shifts, examining how trends emerge and evolve.

Greil Marcus connects rock music to literature, politics, and American cultural history. His writing traces the links between popular music and social movements, exploring how songs shape cultural identity.

Bill Flanagan combines insider music industry knowledge with narrative storytelling about artists and bands. His work provides behind-the-scenes accounts of musicians and music business figures from direct experience.