Joel Selvin is an award-winning music journalist and author known for his weekly column in the San Francisco Chronicle which ran from 1972 to 2009. He worked as the senior pop music critic for the SF Chronicle and additionally has been published in the Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, Billboard, and Melody Maker. Joel can be read here & there by turning an album cover as he has written liner notes for dozens of recorded albums such as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Bayou Country and Pendulum and Journey’s Time3. He has written books covering various aspects of pop music – including the No. 1 New York Times best-seller Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock with Sammy Hagar.
In addition to his literary work, Joel has appeared in documentaries about the music scene and has occasionally taken the stage himself as a rock and roll singer. He also launched a podcast called Selvin on the City and has taught classes at San Francisco State University. Most importantly, he can make a mean gumbo.
Music informs the life of Joel Selvin, and through his writing Joel informs others about music – but culture and community and the human beings who make it make their appearance, too.