Rock critic Dave Marsh dies at 76

Renowned rock critic and biographer Dave Marsh has died at the age of 76 at his home in Norwalk, Connecticut, following a multi-year battle with a degenerative brain disease.

Marsh was a pivotal figure in music journalism, having helped launch Creem magazine and contributing to Rolling Stone and the Village Voice. He is perhaps best known for his early and influential championing of Bruce Springsteen. In the early 1970s, Marsh wrote extensively about Springsteen, and in 1974, he introduced critic Jon Landau to the musician, leading to the influential review that helped launch Springsteen’s career. Marsh also authored the first major Springsteen biography, ‘Born to Run: The Bruce Springsteen Story’, in 1979.

Bruce Springsteen issued a tribute to his longtime friend, describing him as a ‘true Rock ’n’ Roll lifer’ who was ‘soulful, intelligent, heartfelt, opinionated, bruising and often fantastically argumentative.’ Marsh also hosted ‘Kick Out the Jams’ on SiriusXM E Street Radio for 19 years.