In Memory of Jim Crockett, 1937-2023

The Visionary Publisher of Guitar Player Magazine

Jim Crockett, 1979. Photo by Jon Sievert.

Jim Crockett, the visionary creator of the modern “guitar magazine,” passed away on December 16. Among other wide-ranging accomplishments, “JC,” as we fondly called him, orchestrated the rise of Guitar Player in the 1970s and 1980s; founded Frets, Keyboard, and Drums and Drumming magazines; and authored several books.

I always found him wonderful to work with. We stayed friends through the years, and he played a huge role in my career as a music journalist. I’ll miss him.

For more details, here’s a link to the obit I wrote yesterday for Guitar Player’s website and print magazine:

In Memory of Jim Crockett, 1937-2023