The Virgin Encyclopaedia of Rock

Forty years since Bill Haley and the Comets first cracked open the charts, “The Virgin Encyclopedia of Rock” captures the most influential moments and makers of the music that have dominated the back end of this century.

Much more than a simple who’s who, this is a reference book that delves into every aspect of the rock’n’roll circus. The acts, the performances, the venues. The labels, the producers, the studios. The culture, even the humour. After all, it is only rock’n’roll.

• Comprehensive and thematic, allowing in-depth, all-round coverage of the whole rock’n’roll phenomenon, illustrated with over 350 photos
• The musicians: profiles of over 750 acts including key listening and biographies, with easy to use icons for quick cross-reference
• The legends: special feature spreads on twenty of rock’s all-time greats – how, why and where they made their impact The music: detailed reviews of 150 classic albums and singles, with additional information on major producers and studios
• The performances: the tours, festivals, one-off events and venues that brought rock to life The culture: fashions, lifestyle, radio, TV and film
• The stats: charts, full chronology and music industry information