Jim Bessman Explained

Jim Bessman
Birth Date:19 July 1952
Birth Place:Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Death Place:New York City, U.S.
Occupation:Journalist

Jim Bessman (July 19, 1952 – June 22, 2021) was an American writer and music journalist. He is best known as a music journalist, having written for Billboard magazine and numerous other publications, liner notes for albums, covering the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, and as an author of "The Ramones – An American Band"[1] and "John Mellencamp – The Concert at Walter Reed".[2] [3]

Bessman was a voting member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[4] [5]

Early life and education

Bessman was born July 19, 1952, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up in Madison and began writing freelance for Variety while in Wisconsin.

Career

Bessman relocated to New York to work at Cashbox. He was hired by Timothy White at Billboard to write the Songwriting and Publishing column, and continued to contribute stories for over twenty-five years, later preferring to remain freelance. He wrote for Spin, Country Rhythms, CenterlineNews.com, his own website blog and other publications.[6] [7] [8] [9]

Bessman wrote liner notes for ore than eighty albums. Ann Powers refers to Bessman's liner notes in her New York Times review of Jane Siberry's 1997 album Child.[10]

Death

Bessman died from an aneurysm in Manhattan on June 22, 2021.

Reception

Linda Moran, president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame was quoted as saying: "...he was a great historian...he knew hidden facts about everything. He was a great fan of songwriters..."[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nonfiction Book Review: Ramones by Jim Bessman, Author St. Martin's Griffin $18.95 (202p) ISBN 978-0-312-09369-3. June 23, 2021. PublishersWeekly.com. en. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204319/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-09369-3. live.
  2. Web site: Trakin. Roy. June 22, 2021. Jim Bessman, Music Journalist for Billboard and Other Trades, Dies at 68. June 23, 2021. Variety. en-US. June 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210622215232/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/jim-bessman-music-journalist-billboard-dead-1235002696/. live.
  3. Longtime Billboard Contributor Jim Bessman Dies at 68. June 23, 2021. Billboard. en. June 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210623002000/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/9590788/jim-bessman-dead-billboard-contributor/. live.
  4. May 31, 2009. 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. June 23, 2021. Rolling Stone. en-US. July 16, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120716042339/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/simon-and-garfunkel-bridge-over-troubled-water-19691231. live.
  5. Web site: Wyman. Bill. March 25, 2019. Every Artist in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ranked From Best to Worst. June 23, 2021. Vulture. en-us. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624210149/https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-artists-ranked-from-best-to-worst.html. live.
  6. Web site: Alex. John. July 9. er •. July 9, 2019. Hello Again: Neil Diamond . . . from Brooklyn to Broadway. June 23, 2021. The Brooklyn Home Reporter. en-US. June 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210622182808/https://brooklynreporter.com/2019/07/hello-again-neil-diamond-from-brooklyn-to-broadway/. live.
  7. Web site: August 23, 2011. A Tribute to Nick Ashford of songwriting team Ashford & Simpson. June 23, 2021. Performing Songwriter Ent., LLC. en-US. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211635/https://performingsongwriter.com/farewell-nick-ashford/. live.
  8. Web site: Bessman February 21, 2003. Jim. Alison Krauss: Mountain Mama. June 23, 2021. CMT News. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204159/http://www.cmt.com/news/1470071/alison-krauss-mountain-mama/. dead.
  9. Web site: 10 Questions with ... Charlie Monk. June 23, 2021. All Access. en. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203511/https://www.allaccess.com/country/10-questions/archive/8983/10-questions-with-charlie-monk. live.
  10. News: Powers. Ann. December 5, 1997. From Sacred to Silly: Chestnuts Roasting on the CD Player. en-US. The New York Times. June 23, 2021. 0362-4331. June 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625022811/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/05/movies/from-sacred-to-silly-chestnuts-roasting-on-the-cd-player-463663.html. live.
  11. Web site: Billboard. Melinda Newman. June 22, 2021. Longtime Billboard Contributor Jim Bessman Dies at 68. June 23, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. en-US. June 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210623000642/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/jim-bessman-dead-billboard-1234972344/. live.
  12. Web site: SongHall Spotlight On: Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater Songwriters Hall of Fame. June 23, 2021. www.songhall.org. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203804/https://www.songhall.org/news/view/songhall_spotlight_on_duncan_sheik_and_steven_sater. live.

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