📖 Overview
Marc Spitz (1969-2017) was an American music journalist, author, and playwright who made significant contributions to music journalism and pop culture writing. His work appeared in prominent publications including Spin magazine, where he served as Senior Writer, as well as The New York Times and Vanity Fair.
As a biographer, Spitz authored several notable music books including "We Got the Neutron Bomb: The Untold Story of LA Punk," "Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life, Times and Music of Green Day," and biographies of David Bowie and Mick Jagger. His novels "How Soon Is Never" and "Too Much, Too Late" further established his presence in music literature.
Beyond music journalism, Spitz was an accomplished playwright in New York's Downtown theater scene, emerging from the Ludlow Street scene in 1998. His numerous plays, including "Retail Sluts," "Shyness Is Nice," and "The Hobo Got Too High," earned critical recognition, with "Shyness Is Nice" being selected as one of NY Theatre's Best Plays of 2001.
A graduate of Bennington College, Spitz's work has been translated into multiple languages including French, Danish, German, and Dutch, demonstrating his international impact on music and cultural writing.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Spitz's music journalism expertise and insider knowledge, particularly in his biographies of David Bowie and Mick Jagger. His writing style connects with music fans through its conversational tone and deep cultural references.
Common praise:
- Research depth in "Bowie: A Biography"
- Personal anecdotes that illuminate subject matter
- Clear understanding of music scenes and subcultures
Common criticisms:
- Tendency to insert himself into narratives unnecessarily
- Sometimes meanders from main topics
- Writing can feel unfocused or scattered
Ratings averages:
Goodreads:
"Bowie: A Biography" - 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings)
"Poseur: A Memoir of Downtown New York City" - 3.6/5 (200+ ratings)
"Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life of Green Day" - 3.7/5 (1,800+ ratings)
Amazon:
"Bowie: A Biography" - 4.1/5 (120+ reviews)
"Nobody Likes You" - 4.2/5 (90+ reviews)
📚 Books by Marc Spitz
Bowie: A Biography - A comprehensive biography examining David Bowie's life, career, and cultural impact, covering his rise to fame through his final years.
Jagger: Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rogue - A detailed account of Mick Jagger's life, exploring his role as the Rolling Stones' frontman and his influence on rock music culture.
Too Much, Too Late - A novel following the story of a fictional aging punk rocker attempting to stage a comeback while confronting his past.
We Got the Neutron Bomb - A historical documentation of the Los Angeles punk rock scene from the 1970s through the 1980s, featuring firsthand accounts from musicians and scene figures.
How Soon Is Never - A novel about a music journalist who attempts to reunite his favorite band The Smiths while examining his own life choices.
Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life, Times and Music of Green Day - A biographical account of Green Day's journey from Berkeley punk scene to mainstream success, including band interviews and historical context.
Jagger: Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rogue - A detailed account of Mick Jagger's life, exploring his role as the Rolling Stones' frontman and his influence on rock music culture.
Too Much, Too Late - A novel following the story of a fictional aging punk rocker attempting to stage a comeback while confronting his past.
We Got the Neutron Bomb - A historical documentation of the Los Angeles punk rock scene from the 1970s through the 1980s, featuring firsthand accounts from musicians and scene figures.
How Soon Is Never - A novel about a music journalist who attempts to reunite his favorite band The Smiths while examining his own life choices.
Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life, Times and Music of Green Day - A biographical account of Green Day's journey from Berkeley punk scene to mainstream success, including band interviews and historical context.
👥 Similar authors
Lester Bangs wrote raw, unfiltered music criticism for Rolling Stone and Creem that influenced generations of music writers. His collected works share Spitz's mix of personal perspective and cultural critique, particularly in examining punk and rock culture.
Nick Kent documented the 1970s rock scene as both journalist and participant, writing for NME and authoring "The Dark Stuff". His immersive style and focus on both mainstream and underground music parallels Spitz's approach to music journalism.
Nick Tosches wrote biographies of Dean Martin and Jerry Lee Lewis that redefined music biography writing. His work combines deep research with literary style, similar to Spitz's biographical approaches.
Caroline Sullivan covered punk and alternative music scenes for The Guardian and wrote extensively about youth culture. Her work connects music journalism with broader cultural analysis in ways that mirror Spitz's cross-genre writing.
Charles R. Cross authored definitive biographies of Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix that balance journalistic research with cultural context. His examination of artists' lives and their impact on popular culture reflects Spitz's biographical methodology.
Nick Kent documented the 1970s rock scene as both journalist and participant, writing for NME and authoring "The Dark Stuff". His immersive style and focus on both mainstream and underground music parallels Spitz's approach to music journalism.
Nick Tosches wrote biographies of Dean Martin and Jerry Lee Lewis that redefined music biography writing. His work combines deep research with literary style, similar to Spitz's biographical approaches.
Caroline Sullivan covered punk and alternative music scenes for The Guardian and wrote extensively about youth culture. Her work connects music journalism with broader cultural analysis in ways that mirror Spitz's cross-genre writing.
Charles R. Cross authored definitive biographies of Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix that balance journalistic research with cultural context. His examination of artists' lives and their impact on popular culture reflects Spitz's biographical methodology.