Don Armstrong
@don-armstrong.bsky.social
Independent scholar and author of The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason (Bloomsbury, 2024).
A century and a half before writers like Lester Bangs reshaped music journalism, America's earliest music critics established the foundation.
America’s First Music Critics: Advocates of Change
Between 1790 and 1840, a growing number of American journalists wrote about the new nation’s music. Among them were the country's first music critics.
don-armstrong.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A century and a half before writers like Lester Bangs reshaped music journalism, America's earliest music critics established the foundation.
Printed using a wooden hand press with movable metal type, newspapers in Colonial America produced the nation’s first articles about music. This discourse evolved in the decades leading up to the Revolution.
Colonial America: Its Fascinating Music Discourse from 1750 to 1790
As Colonial America edged closer to revolution in the late 1700s, a fascinating discourse on music evolved and helped spread the fervor for liberty.
don-armstrong.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Printed using a wooden hand press with movable metal type, newspapers in Colonial America produced the nation’s first articles about music. This discourse evolved in the decades leading up to the Revolution.
There was a time when rock icon Bruce Springsteen struggled for recognition in the Jersey Shore music scene. Helping him kickstart his career was Joan Pikula, an insightful music writer for the Asbury Park Press.
Bruce Springsteen: His Fascinating First Reviews
It only takes one writer to launch an unknown musician's career. For Bruce Springsteen, that writer was Joan Pikula from the Asbury Park Press.
don-armstrong.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:49 PM
There was a time when rock icon Bruce Springsteen struggled for recognition in the Jersey Shore music scene. Helping him kickstart his career was Joan Pikula, an insightful music writer for the Asbury Park Press.
The first time I heard Nashville Skyline was on an 8-track tape player in a van headed for San Blas, Mexico. I was seventeen, and my buddies and I loved the album.
Over 2,000 miles away, the New Yorker’s Ellen Willis penned a review that remains a definitive statement about Dylan’s masterwork.
Over 2,000 miles away, the New Yorker’s Ellen Willis penned a review that remains a definitive statement about Dylan’s masterwork.
Nashville Skyline: Ellen Willis’s Fascinating Perspective
Nashville Skyline inspired Ellen Willis to bring a rare female perspective to the debates over that album. Willis wrote an insightful review relevant today.
don-armstrong.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The first time I heard Nashville Skyline was on an 8-track tape player in a van headed for San Blas, Mexico. I was seventeen, and my buddies and I loved the album.
Over 2,000 miles away, the New Yorker’s Ellen Willis penned a review that remains a definitive statement about Dylan’s masterwork.
Over 2,000 miles away, the New Yorker’s Ellen Willis penned a review that remains a definitive statement about Dylan’s masterwork.
In prewar Los Angeles, one of the best sources of coverage for Black jazz was the California Eagle, an African American newspaper. Located in the heart of the Central Avenue entertainment district, the Eagle worked to enhance its readers' appreciation of jazz.
Keeping Central Avenue Vibrant: Jazz Writings from the California Eagle
Central Avenue was the heart of Los Angeles' jazz and Black community, and was energized by the California Eagle, an African American newspaper.
don-armstrong.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:35 PM
In prewar Los Angeles, one of the best sources of coverage for Black jazz was the California Eagle, an African American newspaper. Located in the heart of the Central Avenue entertainment district, the Eagle worked to enhance its readers' appreciation of jazz.
What do Grace Slick, Sonny Rollins, and Jann Wenner have in common? All were interviewed for The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason.
The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason: Interviewees
Grace Slick, Sonny Rollins, and Jann Wenner are just a few of the leading music industry figures who contributed to The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason.
don-armstrong.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
What do Grace Slick, Sonny Rollins, and Jann Wenner have in common? All were interviewed for The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason.
Why has Blonde on Blonde withstood the test of time? For a handful of young critics in 1966, Dylan’s masterwork inspired a new way of experiencing and writing about rock music.
Bob Dylan: How Blonde on Blonde Inspired a New Sensibility
When Bob Dylan released Blonde on Blonde in 1966, it inspired a new generation of critics. A sampling of reviews shows the LP led them to new ways of thinking.
don-armstrong.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Why has Blonde on Blonde withstood the test of time? For a handful of young critics in 1966, Dylan’s masterwork inspired a new way of experiencing and writing about rock music.
Coming August 21 in paperback!
August 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Coming August 21 in paperback!
How has Beggars Banquet held up for you over the years? Here’s how four top rock critics reacted after its release in December 1968:
Beggars Banquet: An Interesting Look Inside the Rolling Stones’ House
Four top rock critics of the late 1960s review the Rolling Stones' masterwork, Beggars Banquet. Their reviews illustrate the diversity of early rock criticism.
don-armstrong.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
How has Beggars Banquet held up for you over the years? Here’s how four top rock critics reacted after its release in December 1968:
Innovative saxophonist Ornette Coleman escaped media attention until he released his first album in 1958. Take a look at how that disc revealed the importance of open-minded music critics.
How Ornette Coleman Tested Critics' Broadmindedness
Free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman escaped media scrutiny until the release of his first album. The innovative record tested reviewers' broadmindedness.
don-armstrong.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Innovative saxophonist Ornette Coleman escaped media attention until he released his first album in 1958. Take a look at how that disc revealed the importance of open-minded music critics.
Before the term “rock critic” became part of common parlance, sharp young journalists penned insightful articles about the 1964-65 rock revolution.
Rock Criticism Before Critics: Breakthrough Readings
Did you know there was rock criticism BEFORE there were rock critics? Take a look at some great examples written in the 1964-65 period!
don-armstrong.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Before the term “rock critic” became part of common parlance, sharp young journalists penned insightful articles about the 1964-65 rock revolution.
Fans who are familiar with revolutionary saxophonist John Coltrane will be intrigued by his captivating coverage in the Pittsburgh Courier, a prominent Black newspaper.
don-armstrong.com/2025/08/05/j...
don-armstrong.com/2025/08/05/j...
John Coltrane: A New Perspective on His Amazing Journey
Discover how Black writers at the Pittsburgh Courier made an essential yet unrecognized contribution to the literature about John Coltrane!
don-armstrong.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Fans who are familiar with revolutionary saxophonist John Coltrane will be intrigued by his captivating coverage in the Pittsburgh Courier, a prominent Black newspaper.
don-armstrong.com/2025/08/05/j...
don-armstrong.com/2025/08/05/j...
By the time Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock, he was a cultural icon. However, when he arrived in England in 1966, he was still an unknown ex-R&B sideman. British music journalists recognized his talent and helped propel him to fame.
don-armstrong.com/2025/07/31/j...
don-armstrong.com/2025/07/31/j...
Jimi Hendrix: How the UK Media Helped His Breakthrough
Guitarist Jimi Hendrix was largely unknown when he arrived in England in 1966, but with help from young music journalists, he became a sensation.
don-armstrong.com
July 31, 2025 at 3:21 PM
By the time Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock, he was a cultural icon. However, when he arrived in England in 1966, he was still an unknown ex-R&B sideman. British music journalists recognized his talent and helped propel him to fame.
don-armstrong.com/2025/07/31/j...
don-armstrong.com/2025/07/31/j...
When John Lennon said the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus,” bonfires went up across the American South. Regional newspapers added kindling to the blaze.
The 1966 Beatles Ban: How American Media Fueled the Frenzy
Journalists typically support innovative musicians. However, in the summer of 1966, American writers fueled the notorious “Ban the Beatles” movement.
don-armstrong.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
When John Lennon said the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus,” bonfires went up across the American South. Regional newspapers added kindling to the blaze.
This is the first in a series of essays I'm excited to share about Ralph Gleason, his amazing writings, and my journey of writing my book.
Beyond the Biography: What Made Ralph J. Gleason Truly Remarkable?
Throughout his long career as a music writer, Ralph J. Gleason remained surprisingly open-minded to new ways of thinking and diverse forms of music.
don-armstrong.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
This is the first in a series of essays I'm excited to share about Ralph Gleason, his amazing writings, and my journey of writing my book.
Greetings,
Excited to announce the Aug. 21 paperback release of my book, The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason!
Notable music writers praised the book, and PopMatters and Best Classic Bands recognized it as one of the best music books of 2024.
Excited to announce the Aug. 21 paperback release of my book, The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason!
Notable music writers praised the book, and PopMatters and Best Classic Bands recognized it as one of the best music books of 2024.
July 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Greetings,
Excited to announce the Aug. 21 paperback release of my book, The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason!
Notable music writers praised the book, and PopMatters and Best Classic Bands recognized it as one of the best music books of 2024.
Excited to announce the Aug. 21 paperback release of my book, The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason!
Notable music writers praised the book, and PopMatters and Best Classic Bands recognized it as one of the best music books of 2024.
Maybe if you’re asking an author to reprint something they wrote, you shouldn’t start by saying, “I think you’re full of shit in places.”
On This Date: Remarkable Moments in the Life of Ralph J. Gleason
On this date in 1965, eminent music journalist Ralph J. Gleason wrote a remarkable letter to his colleague, Beat writer Seymour Krim.
don-armstrong.com
June 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Maybe if you’re asking an author to reprint something they wrote, you shouldn’t start by saying, “I think you’re full of shit in places.”
Pioneering Bandleader Bennie Moten and the Kansas City Sun don-armstrong.com/2025/06/06/p...
Pioneering Bandleader Bennie Moten and the Kansas City Sun
Bandleader Bennie Moten pioneered the rise of Kansas City jazz in the 1920s. He did this with the help of the Kansas City Sun, a prominent Black weekly.
don-armstrong.com
June 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Pioneering Bandleader Bennie Moten and the Kansas City Sun don-armstrong.com/2025/06/06/p...
Protest Songs Hard to Find? Plus Monday's Cartoons
Thanks to Greg Mitchell for mentioning me and the Music Journalism History group in his essay. Greg's Substack site is an excellent source of informative and lively writing!
Thanks to Greg Mitchell for mentioning me and the Music Journalism History group in his essay. Greg's Substack site is an excellent source of informative and lively writing!
Protest Songs Hard to Find? Plus Monday's Cartoons
Music from Neil Young, Lucinda Williams and Taj Mahal.
open.substack.com
March 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Protest Songs Hard to Find? Plus Monday's Cartoons
Thanks to Greg Mitchell for mentioning me and the Music Journalism History group in his essay. Greg's Substack site is an excellent source of informative and lively writing!
Thanks to Greg Mitchell for mentioning me and the Music Journalism History group in his essay. Greg's Substack site is an excellent source of informative and lively writing!
Jesse Colin Young: How Columnists Fueled His Remarkable Rise
Jesse Colin Young: How Columnists Fueled His Remarkable Rise - DON ARMSTRONG
When a 20-something singer named Perry Miller changed his name to Jesse Colin Young and began playing gigs in Greenwich Village, music journalists took notice.
don-armstrong.com
March 27, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Jesse Colin Young: How Columnists Fueled His Remarkable Rise
The Fascinating World of Early African American Music Journalism
The Fascinating World of Early African American Music Journalism - DON ARMSTRONG
From 1880 to 1920, African American music journalism became a force that celebrated the rising popularity of ragtime, plantation songs, and jazz. From 1880 to 1920, Black music journalism became a for...
don-armstrong.com
March 27, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The Fascinating World of Early African American Music Journalism
Did you know that Tony Barrow, the Beatles’ publicist, was also the pop music critic for the band’s hometown newspaper?
If you’d like to learn more, here’s the first installment of my series on Tony Barrow, the ultimate Beatles critic.
If you’d like to learn more, here’s the first installment of my series on Tony Barrow, the ultimate Beatles critic.
How Tony Barrow Became the Ultimate Beatles Critic (Part 1) - Don Armstrong
Explore the fascinating journey of Tony Barrow, whose career as a pop music critic uniquely influenced his role as the Beatles’ publicist.
don-armstrong.com
February 11, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Did you know that Tony Barrow, the Beatles’ publicist, was also the pop music critic for the band’s hometown newspaper?
If you’d like to learn more, here’s the first installment of my series on Tony Barrow, the ultimate Beatles critic.
If you’d like to learn more, here’s the first installment of my series on Tony Barrow, the ultimate Beatles critic.
I am excited to share that PopMatters and Best Classic Bands named my book, The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason, one of their best music books of 2024. A special thanks to Chris Ingalls and Jeff Tamarkin for their excellent reviews. Great to see books about music criticism being recognized!
December 31, 2024 at 4:19 PM
I am excited to share that PopMatters and Best Classic Bands named my book, The Life and Writings of Ralph J. Gleason, one of their best music books of 2024. A special thanks to Chris Ingalls and Jeff Tamarkin for their excellent reviews. Great to see books about music criticism being recognized!