Last update: December 21, 2007 - 18:12
This "Global Rock Discography" shall be different from the books which record collectors and dealers have known for a long time. The mass of artists who have published albums in the area of Rock over decades is gigantic and almost incredible. I have already been working at this project for years and spent innumerable hours designing the book as extensively as possible. But I recognize faults all the time which still must be corrected; quite a number of entries still shall be enlarged and completed.
Therefore every user shall have the possibility of carrying out additions, corrections or also cut out parts; so a basis will be created to produce a Rock Discography according to individual needs and ideas. To make this possible, this work will not only be published in the form of a book; it will also appear on compact disc as a programme to furthermore be able to work on it actively.
It is my intention to name all groups and soloists listed worldwide who have published albums from the area of Rock music. Since there are many variations in this area, the styles of Beat, Blues, Jazz, Psychedelic, Country, Folk and others are also included, if the roots of Rock are still roughly recognizable. Only pressings on vinyl will be mentioned, that is no compact discs, cassettes or tapes; also no Compilations, EPs, Best-Ofs, records with Various Artists, one-sided albums. Only Stereo first pressings are mentioned from the native country of the individual artists. Of course, exceptions occur which were pressed only in Mono or not in the native country.
The period of about 1964 to this day is included. Generally it is quite difficult to describe single styles exactly, since as of the end of the seventies more and more features have influenced Rock music from other areas. The areas of pure Beat, Pop, Reggae, Soul, Funk, New Wave, Metal, Electronics, Punk are not mentioned in this book. This also due to the fact that I do not know enough of them and surely other reference books can give more exact information here.
The data are taken from the individual albums and covers or taken from other media. I have noticed that often only the basic line-up is noted down on the cover or supplements such as inner-sleeves or inserts with many albums; windplayers, strings or other guest musicians have often not been mentioned. I tried to include this where possible. At the end of the book a name index will be made with the alphabetical enumeration of all entries of the groups, soloists and musicians who are included; this shall make possible a cross-reference to other entries, where the individual artists also have played a part.
The unusual feature of this book is hopefully the fact that many record covers are shown. The covers of records which are rare by now and have a high collector's value are shown in a larger size within the pages of every single letter. Other album covers are shown in a smaller size at the end of every letter, most possibly of every entry. The more albums a group or a soloist has published, the more covers are shown. To give a more varied and interesting view to the purely discographic data, pictures are enclosed among well-known artists.
I would be happy if a publishing house or company can be found this way which supports this project and carries out the publication. The size and design has been almost completed. The book contains more than 3000 pages and will probably come in three volumes.
It should have been finished already quite a long time ago as I announced with big mouth to several friends. But unfortunate circumstances and my not quite explosive determination made it impossible to come to a speedy completion. However, I got many inquiries from all sorts of countries meanwhile who asked when this "Rock Bible" will be finished and published. Unfortunately, I can not predict this exactly yet, but of course, will inform about it here on my web-site as soon as possible.
To get a better view of the book I have included seven pages here (see below) at the example of letter A, which will be used in this form for the entire work.
Regarding this "Global Rock Discography" book I would be very grateful for comments, suggestions, reviews or any help. Please contact me by E-mail or by the Forum. And concluding i have to ask for pardon: of course my bad English from old schooldays still has to be corrected. Many thanks for visiting...
Page 1: Discographic Data (see page 3 and 4)
Into first line (black background) name of the group or soloist, alphabetical order. No articles like "La", "El", "Los", "A" or similar which corresponds to the English "The".
Numbering of the respective entries on the right outside. Numbers are left out in her order from time to time to make possible additional entries.
Next section (grey background) for remarks like music style (e.g. "Folkrock") or short biographical notes.
Pictures among the individual entries of important or famous artists (here for Edip Akbayram and Jan Akkerman). Mainly photos of concerts or also cuts of record covers or supplements.
Page 2: Covers (large size)
Covers of records are shown in greater format within the section of every letter and near the entry in question which are very rare or have a high collector's value nowadays. If possible original covers of first pressings.
Number on the right below every picture refers to the respective entry, behind the crossline to the respective record.
Page 3: Discographic Data (see page 1 and 4)
Next to the grey field comes listing of albums published officially. Titles of the albums are taken from the covers. In some cases titles are not on the cover but there is a note on the round label. If there is no title it becomes the name of the artist.
Right besides that is stated the record company and record number of the first stereo pressing from the native country of the artist. Specials like gatefold-cover, poster or all types of inserts will be stated in abbreviations.
The year of first release follows. If an album was released only considerably later than shortly after the recording, then the corresponding date is indicated in brackets in front of that.
On the right outside comes abbreviation of the country in which the record was pressed or released; this is the native country of the artists mostly. There are, however, exceptions primarily in the European area.
Page 4: Discographic Data (see page 1 and 3)
The last double-columned section contains the alphabetical listing of the musicians playing a part. Name behind a bracket mostly means that the musician only played on one or two tracks or only did a subordinate part. The abbreviation "a.o." means that further musicians are playing a part, however, unknown.
Numbers behind a bracket according to the name indicate the respective albums on which the person has played a part. No number behind the name means that the person has played on all albums.
Instruments which the musicians play are indicated with abbreviations on the right side of the column.
Page 5: Covers, small size (see page 6 and 7)
Further covers of records are shown in a smaller size at the end of the period of every letter. If a group or soloist has published 10 albums, then at least 3 covers will be included; the more albums have been published the more covers are shown. Here also if possible original covers of first pressings.
The number on right side below cover refers to the respective entry, behind the dash to the respective album.
Page 6: Covers, small size (see page 5 and 7)
Page 7: Covers, small size (see page 5 and 6)