📖 Overview
Ian McFarlane is an Australian music journalist, historian, and author who has made significant contributions to documenting Australian popular music history. His most influential work, The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop (1999, updated 2017), is considered the definitive reference guide to Australian popular music from the 1950s onward.
McFarlane's career began in 1984 as a writer for Juke newspaper, later expanding his work to include publications like The Edge and From the Vault. During the early 1990s, he worked at Roadrunner Records while publishing The Australian New Music Record Guide Volume 1: 1976-1980, followed by two music fanzines, Freedom Train and Prehistoric Sounds.
His expertise has been utilized by various record labels, including Raven Records and Aztec Music, where he contributed to compilation albums, wrote liner notes, and conducted musical research. Since 2013, McFarlane has maintained a regular column for Addicted to Noise, continuing his documentation of Australian music history.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight McFarlane's exhaustive research and attention to detail in documenting Australian music history. Music fans praise The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop for its comprehensive coverage and factual accuracy.
What readers liked:
- Thorough documentation of lesser-known bands and regional scenes
- Clear, accessible writing style
- Reliable source citations and cross-referencing
- Useful discographies and band member listings
What readers disliked:
- Limited coverage of post-2000 artists in earlier editions
- Some readers wanted more biographical details about artists
- Print editions can become outdated quickly
Ratings & Reviews:
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (87 ratings)
Amazon Australia: 4.5/5 (34 reviews)
Reader quote: "McFarlane manages to pack an incredible amount of information into each entry without sacrificing readability. This is the definitive reference for Australian music." - Goodreads reviewer
Note: Limited review data available online as many of his works were published pre-internet era.
📚 Books by Ian McFarlane
The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop (1999) - A comprehensive reference guide covering Australian popular music from the 1950s onward, documenting artists, bands, record labels, and significant events in chronological detail.
The Australian New Music Record Guide Volume 1: 1976-1980 (Early 1990s) - A detailed examination of Australian music releases during the late 1970s, cataloging recordings and providing historical context for the era's musical developments.
Freedom Train (Music Fanzine) - A periodical focusing on Australian music history and contemporary developments in the local music scene.
Prehistoric Sounds (Music Fanzine) - A publication dedicated to documenting and discussing various aspects of Australian popular music and its evolution.
The Australian New Music Record Guide Volume 1: 1976-1980 (Early 1990s) - A detailed examination of Australian music releases during the late 1970s, cataloging recordings and providing historical context for the era's musical developments.
Freedom Train (Music Fanzine) - A periodical focusing on Australian music history and contemporary developments in the local music scene.
Prehistoric Sounds (Music Fanzine) - A publication dedicated to documenting and discussing various aspects of Australian popular music and its evolution.
👥 Similar authors
Clinton Walker wrote comprehensive books about Australian music history including "Stranded: The Secret History of Australian Independent Music" and "Highway to Hell: The Life and Death of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott". His focus on underground music scenes and detailed research methods parallel McFarlane's documentation style.
David Nichols authored "The Go-Betweens" and "Dig: Australian Rock and Popular Music 1960-85". His approach combines cultural analysis with artist interviews and archival research similar to McFarlane's encyclopedic work.
Stuart Coupe produced "The Promoters" and "Roadies" chronicling the Australian music industry's behind-the-scenes players. His insider perspective and focus on industry documentation align with McFarlane's historical recording methods.
Ed St John wrote extensively about Australian music for RAM magazine and published several historical compilations. His work cataloging the development of Australian rock music shares McFarlane's commitment to preserving musical heritage.
Andrew Stafford created "Pig City: From The Saints to Savage Garden" documenting Brisbane's music scene. His regional focus and attention to historical detail mirror McFarlane's methodical documentation of Australian music history.
David Nichols authored "The Go-Betweens" and "Dig: Australian Rock and Popular Music 1960-85". His approach combines cultural analysis with artist interviews and archival research similar to McFarlane's encyclopedic work.
Stuart Coupe produced "The Promoters" and "Roadies" chronicling the Australian music industry's behind-the-scenes players. His insider perspective and focus on industry documentation align with McFarlane's historical recording methods.
Ed St John wrote extensively about Australian music for RAM magazine and published several historical compilations. His work cataloging the development of Australian rock music shares McFarlane's commitment to preserving musical heritage.
Andrew Stafford created "Pig City: From The Saints to Savage Garden" documenting Brisbane's music scene. His regional focus and attention to historical detail mirror McFarlane's methodical documentation of Australian music history.