Glenn A. Baker
Glenn A. Baker | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 28, 1952 Coogee, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, commentator, author, broadcaster |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Known for | Expertise in rock music; managing musical acts including Ol' 55; Australian editor for Billboard; Australian Travel Writer of the Year (1995, 2000) |
| Notable work | Numerous books and articles on rock and travel; co-founder of Raven Records; radio and TV appearances |
Glenn A. Baker (born 28 July 1952) is an esteemed Australian journalist, commentator, author, and broadcaster, widely recognized for his profound expertise in rock music. He has penned numerous books and articles focusing on rock and travel, managed musical acts including Ol' 55, and organized tours for international artists. During the mid-1980s, Baker earned the BBC's "Rock Brain of the Universe" accolade three times. For over two decades, he held the position of Australian editor for Billboard, and was honored twice as Australian Travel Writer of the Year in 1995 and 2000.
Life and career
Baker was born in 1952 and spent his early years in Coogee, New South Wales before moving to Canberra. Following his education across several schools, he joined the Department of the Media, contributing to a project that culminated in the creation of radio station 2JJ (which later became Triple J). There, he met Geoff Plummer, drummer of the 1950s-style band Fanis, whom Baker began managing in 1975, rebranding the group as Ol' 55. His management style fused retro aesthetics with rock music and theatrical elements, resulting in national chart successes such as "On the Prowl" and the triple platinum album Take It Greasy. Additionally, Baker managed Punkz, guiding their transformation into pop ensemble Cheek, which also achieved chart recognition.
In 1979, Baker co-established Raven Records, an Australian label dedicated to reissues and retrospective collections. His radio career commenced with hosting a music trivia show on Sydney’s 2JJ before transitioning to Triple M. Beyond radio, Baker has authored sixteen books, contributed articles to over two hundred magazines, and provided annotations for more than five hundred music albums. He has co-written film scores and frequently appears on television programs including The Today Show, Mornings With Kerri-Anne, and 20 to 1. For more than twenty years, he has served as an in-flight presenter for Qantas.
Having traveled to over one hundred countries, Baker currently resides in Sydney’s Hills District. He is a father to six children; his son Rudi Baker is an actor known for roles in Australian film and television productions. Glenn Baker and his wife Lorelle ended their marriage in 2009.
As part of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame advisory panel, Baker has inducted prominent musicians such as Max Merritt, Australian Crawl, the Masters Apprentices, and Billy Thorpe. In September 2010, he simultaneously published two volumes: Best of Baker: Music and Best of Baker: Travel.
Bibliography
Baker’s extensive literary contributions include writing, co-writing, or editing a wide range of works such as:
- The name game : (their real names revealed) (1984, Kevin Weldon & Associates)
- External combustion : Glenn A. Baker on music (1990, Horwitz Grahame)
- Perpetual motion : travels with Glenn A. Baker (1993, Allen & Unwin)
- Faces, places and barely human races (1995, Random House)
- On the road to Damascus and other fabulous thoroughfares (2001, Viking)
- Somewhere in Sydney : 30 Songs from the Harbour City (2000, Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
- Rock Australia : the 80s & 90s (2001, Australia Post)
- Editor of The explosive hits '76 songbook (1976, J. Albert & Son)
- Editor of The rocka souvenir song book (1976, J. Albert & Son)
- Editor of Disco inferno (1979, Summit Books)
- Co-author of The new music alongside Stuart Coupe (1980, Bay Books)
- Co-author with Stuart Coupe of The new rock 'n' roll (1983, Omnibus)
- Monkeemania : the true story of the Monkees, co-written with Tom Czarnota and Peter Hogan (1986, St. Martin's Press)
- Co-author with Roger Dilernia of The Beatles down under : the 1964 Australia & New Zealand tour (1983, Wild & Woolley)
- Co-author and editor with Bob King of Australian made, gonna have a good time tonight : the authorised documentary of the event (1987, Fontana Collins)
- Contributor to Rock, the year that was '85 with Stuart Coupe (1985, Omnibus)
- Editor alongside David Day and Tim Parker of SA great it's our music 1956–1986 (1987)
- Co-author and editor with Bob King of Rock lens (1981, Cassell Australia)
- Contributor to Rock'n'roll royalty, edited by Donald Robertson (1983, Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
This comprehensive bibliography highlights Baker’s significant role in chronicling music history and culture throughout his professional journey.
External links
- Glenn A Baker on Global Travel Writers