Book release event for Dave Marsh’s Kick Out the Jams to drum up support for music critic’s anthology

Courtesy Simon & Schuster

Next Tuesday the Warwick Theater will host a book launch event for the release of the first large-scale anthology of the work of acclaimed music critic Dave Marsh.

Kick Out the Jams is a collection of essays on 20th-century popular music by Marsh, a founding editor for the rock magazine Creem and featured writer for Rolling Stone and other publications. Even in the 50s and 60s when genres like rock weren’t taken seriously or even demonized, Marsh held space for the value of rock, soul, and rap music—a sentiment reflected in his anthology officially on sale August. 15.

Music lovers and history buffs are invited to attend the book release party at 7 p.m. at the Warwick. The free event will include a cash bar and free food, with drinks provided.

The anthology will feature a collection of essays from some of his best work from the 1980s through the 2010s, a press release said. Covering three decades of music—including artists like Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, the Beatles, and Green Day—his work also delves into the politics and social issues of the era.

Despite Marsh’s portfolio and influence on the industry, he is often overlooked. Adding further to his body of work, Marsh has also written 25 books, including the bestselling biography of Bruce Springsteen Before I Get Old: The Story of Who.

Springsteen, among other renowned artists, expressed praise for Marsh’s work: “I connected to Dave because I knew he felt about music the way I felt about it. It was life-sustaining. It was central to your existence.”

Marsh’s book is available for pre-order now through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.