steveroby.com
Bio
Who is Steven Roby?
Steven 1967
Author Biography
Steven Roby previously worked for the family of Jimi Hendrix and was editor and publisher of the international Hendrix fanzine, Straight Ahead from 1989 to 1996. In 1996 he went to work for Experience Hendrix LLC, as editor of their fan magazine and contributor of their website.
His articles and interviews have appeared in numerous magazines, and Roby has produced annual radio tributes to Hendrix including the national syndicated show NBC's Source network. He has also promoted and produced several tribute concerts. In 1995, The Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Festival brought together all of the original band members together on stage for an amazing three-hour performance.
In 2002, his first book was published, Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix (Billboard Books). He has since lectured on Hendrix at three universities, and teaches a college course on the life and music of Jimi Hendrix.
Steven Roby and Al Hendrix - 1997
Janie Hendrix and Steven Roby
Television/Radio Interviews: Interviewed by over 80 TV and radio stations, US and international, (2002-2004).
CONCERT PROMOTER
and
ORGANIZER
The Jimi Hendrix 50th Birthday Bash - 1992
Writing and Publishing
Book Description
Author Steven Roby sifts through a wealth of unreleased and commercially unavailable studio, live, and home recordings to chronicle every stage of Jimi Hendrix’s legendary career. In each instance, he tells the reader whether the event was documented and if it is available. In several tragic instances, the recordings are lost forever.
Black Gold is the first book to offer a comprehensive analysis of Hendrix’s unfinished album, First Ray of the New Rising Sun. Three attempts have been made so far to “finish” it, and the author explains why none have succeeded. The book also explores Hendrix’s journeys into jazz with Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk; his excursions into blues with B. B. King, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy; and his backing of early rap pioneers The Last Poets.
Black Gold features a foreword by Noel Redding, Hendrix’s bass player from 1966 to 1969, as well as 45 photos, including several rare and never-before-published shots.
• Rolling Stone selected Jimi Hendrix as one of the 10 most influential artists and songwriters of the 20th century
• Although Hendrix has been dead for over 30 years, sales of his music are greater than ever, with 3 to 4 million of his official recordings sold worldwide each year
• The book contains previously unpublished information on hundreds of obscure Hendrix performances and lost tapes
To purchase the book on Amazon click here
Steven 1967
Steven Roby previously worked for the family of Jimi Hendrix and was editor and publisher of the international Hendrix fanzine, Straight Ahead from 1989 to 1996. In 1996 he went to work for Experience Hendrix LLC, as editor of their fan magazine and contributor of their website.
His articles and interviews have appeared in numerous magazines, and Roby has produced annual radio tributes to Hendrix including the national syndicated show NBC's Source network. He has also promoted and produced several tribute concerts. In 1995, The Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Festival brought together all of the original band members together on stage for an amazing three-hour performance.
In 2002, his first book was published, Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix (Billboard Books). He has since lectured on Hendrix at three universities, and teaches a college course on the life and music of Jimi Hendrix.
Praise for Black Gold
It's the best biography on Jimi Hendrix to date. I really loved it!
Richie Havens
Black Gold is an indispensable encyclopedia of Jimi Hendrix recordings.
Charles Cross, Seattle Times
Roby piles on revelation upon revelation - it's hard not be impressed.
Johnny Black, Mojo (U.K.)
To say that Roby knows his subject is a gross understatement. To catalog every known recording of an artist as prolific as Hendrix is a staggering achievement in itself, but to make it palatable for popular consumption is nigh on impossible, Roby has done just that.
Ian Fortman, Classic Rock (U.K.)
Archive exploration - dry, dusty, dull, rather sad? Not in the hands of Steven Roby. He has assembled an absolutely fascinating study of unreleased, rare and lost material by rock greatest guitarist. Even after a decade of in-depth Hendrix research on both sides of the Atlantic, this book is a revelation.
Peter Dogget, Record Collector (U.K.)
I've always marveled at books that collect and organize tons of all but forgotten data on a subject into a linear, entertaining, and illuminating whole -- and your book "Black Gold" does just that.
Andrew Helfer, award-winning graphic-novel editor behind Road to Perdition and The History of Violence
I can't tell you how much I've been enjoying Black Gold. My son, the seven-year-old Jimi Hendrix aficionado, has gone through it several times, as have I. Great research and well-written.
Steve Vogel, author of The Pentagon
Steven Roby should be congratulated for Black Gold...It's a good entry to the Hendrix cannon."
Jimpress - The Jimi Hendrix Collector's Magazine (U.K.)
Richie Havens
Black Gold is an indispensable encyclopedia of Jimi Hendrix recordings.
Charles Cross, Seattle Times
Roby piles on revelation upon revelation - it's hard not be impressed.
Johnny Black, Mojo (U.K.)
To say that Roby knows his subject is a gross understatement. To catalog every known recording of an artist as prolific as Hendrix is a staggering achievement in itself, but to make it palatable for popular consumption is nigh on impossible, Roby has done just that.
Ian Fortman, Classic Rock (U.K.)
Archive exploration - dry, dusty, dull, rather sad? Not in the hands of Steven Roby. He has assembled an absolutely fascinating study of unreleased, rare and lost material by rock greatest guitarist. Even after a decade of in-depth Hendrix research on both sides of the Atlantic, this book is a revelation.
Peter Dogget, Record Collector (U.K.)
I've always marveled at books that collect and organize tons of all but forgotten data on a subject into a linear, entertaining, and illuminating whole -- and your book "Black Gold" does just that.
Andrew Helfer, award-winning graphic-novel editor behind Road to Perdition and The History of Violence
I can't tell you how much I've been enjoying Black Gold. My son, the seven-year-old Jimi Hendrix aficionado, has gone through it several times, as have I. Great research and well-written.
Steve Vogel, author of The Pentagon
Steven Roby should be congratulated for Black Gold...It's a good entry to the Hendrix cannon."
Jimpress - The Jimi Hendrix Collector's Magazine (U.K.)
Steven Roby and Al Hendrix - 1997
Media Experience
Radio
- KQKE-AM, San Francisco, Assistant Producer, (2007).
- Radio Sausalito-FM, Sausalito, CA. Music Director, Show Host, (2003-2004).
- KWMR-FM, Pt. Reyes, CA. Host of the Morning Show, (1998-1999).
- KKCY-FM, San Francisco, CA. Co-host, (1998).
- KFOG-FM, San Francisco, CA, Co-host, (1986-1992).
- KTIM-AM, San Rafael, CA, Assistant Program Director, (1983).
- NBC Radio, Producer, Jimi Hendrix, nationally syndicated documentary (1982).
- Hiatus Productions, San Francisco, CA, Radio Voice Talent (1982).
- KPFA-FM, Berkeley, CA, Co-host/Producer, The Secret’s Out (1973-1996).
Janie Hendrix and Steven Roby
PUBLIC SPEAKING
AND
DVD INTERVIEWS
AND
DVD INTERVIEWS
- Instructor (2007) for Jimi Hendrix: His Life and Music at the College of Marin, Kentfield, CA.
- Guest Lecturer: Paul Green's School of Rock, San Francisco (2007-2008), University of Indianapolis, Indiana (2003); University of California, Santa Cruz (2003); University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (1995).
- Presenter: Presentations at over 30 bookstores along the US West Coast and at The Experience Music Project, Seattle WA; The Egyptian Theater, Hollywood, CA; Marin County Civic Center Library, San Rafael, CA; Belvedere/Tiburon Library, Tiburon, CA (2002-2005).
DVD Documentary Interviews
Swinging ‘60’s Vol. 3: Jimi Hendrix: Bold as Love (Silver Screen Video) 2006
Jimi Hendrix: The 24 Hours (2004)
Jimi Hendrix: The 24 Hours (2004)
- Presenter at Book Passage (Corte Madera, CA), authors have included Chuck Barris (Gong Show), Al Gore, Garison Keiller, and Mike Farrell (M.A.S.H.) Amy Tan, and Ann Lamont. 2007-
CONCERT PROMOTER
and
ORGANIZER
The Jimi Hendrix 50th Birthday Bash - 1992
- The Jimi Hendrix 65th Birthday Bash, Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA. Promoter, organizer, presenter (2007).
- Jimi Jam '07. Hendrix tribute concert, Bananas at Large, San Rafael CA, Promoter, organizer, presenter (2007).
- The Jimi Hendrix 60th Birthday Bash/Tribute Concert, Studio Z, San Francisco, CA. Promoter, organizer, presenter (2002).
- The Jimi Hendrix Guitar Competition, Transmission Theater, San Francisco, CA. Promoter, organizer, presenter (1997).
- The Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Festival, Bumbershoot Festival, Seattle WA. Co-producer and music consultant in partnership with Experience Hendrix (1995).
- The Jimi Hendrix 50th Birthday Bash/Concert, New George’s Nightclub, San Rafael, CA. Organizer, promoter, and MC (1992).
- The Jimi Hendrix Memorial Concert, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. Organizer, presenter in partnership with The Electric Church Foundation (1980).
For a complete list of media appearances, email Steve: l o s t a r c h i v e s @ yahoo.com
Writing and Publishing
- Author -Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix
Book Description- Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix is the first comprehensive biography to authenticate
the lost sessions, previously unknown recorded collaborations, and rare
film/video documents of one of the most innovative and influential rock
guitarists in music history. Hendrix’s life is
celebrated through exclusive interviews with people who knew him well,
including his father, Al Hendrix, musicians Carlos Santana and John
McLaughlin, his lover and close companion Kathy Etchingham, and many
others.
Author Steven Roby sifts through a wealth of unreleased and commercially unavailable studio, live, and home recordings to chronicle every stage of Jimi Hendrix’s legendary career. In each instance, he tells the reader whether the event was documented and if it is available. In several tragic instances, the recordings are lost forever.
Black Gold is the first book to offer a comprehensive analysis of Hendrix’s unfinished album, First Ray of the New Rising Sun. Three attempts have been made so far to “finish” it, and the author explains why none have succeeded. The book also explores Hendrix’s journeys into jazz with Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk; his excursions into blues with B. B. King, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy; and his backing of early rap pioneers The Last Poets.
Black Gold features a foreword by Noel Redding, Hendrix’s bass player from 1966 to 1969, as well as 45 photos, including several rare and never-before-published shots.
• Rolling Stone selected Jimi Hendrix as one of the 10 most influential artists and songwriters of the 20th century
• Although Hendrix has been dead for over 30 years, sales of his music are greater than ever, with 3 to 4 million of his official recordings sold worldwide each year
• The book contains previously unpublished information on hundreds of obscure Hendrix performances and lost tapes
To purchase the book on Amazon click here
- Editor and Website Contributor - Experience Hendrix and www.jimihendrix.com, Experience Hendrix LLC, a Jimi Hendrix family-authorized bi-monthly magazine and website (1996-1998).
- Contributer to Univibes: The International Jimi Hendrix Magazine (2008).
- Feature article contributor and CD/DVD reviewer - Goldmine magazine (2003-present).
- Archive Research Consultant: Are You Experienced Ltd., the official production company for Jimi Hendrix releases on Warner Bros., Ryko, and MCA (1992-1994).
- Research Consultant – Jimi Hendrix: The Ultimate Experience (1999); Hendrix: The Final Days (1997); Eyewitness: The Illustrated Jimi Hendrix Concerts (1997); Cherokee Mist: The Lost Writings of Jimi Hendrix (1994); Jimi Hendrix: A Visual Documentary – His Life, Loves, Music (1992); Electric Gypsy (1989).
- Research Consultant – CD Liner Notes (1993-2003): Chicago: The Box Set (Rhino 2003); Chrome, Smoke & BBQ: The ZZ Top Box (Rhino/ Warner 2003); Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Soup (MCA, 1994); Jimi Hendrix: Blues (MCA, 1993).
- Editor and Publisher - Straight Ahead: The International Jimi Hendrix Fanzine (1989-1996). Contributors included: Carlos Santana, Eric Burdon, Randy California, and former Jimi Hendrix band mates.