“Musician …was a monthly magazine that covered news and information about American popular music. Initially called “Music America”, it was founded in 1976 by Sam Holdsworth and Gordon Baird. (…) Subtitled “The Art, Business and Technology of Making Music,” it became known for its extended and thorough articles about the stars of rock music. “Musician” was not intended to be a fan magazine—the founders envisioned it as a publication about the musician’s craft, and as a result, it earned it the respect of people in the music business. As Holdsworth told an interviewer in 2003, the magazine “…created a level of trust that made the musicians feel they were talking with peers.” In that same article, he noted that “Musician” was also known for finding out the little things that the average magazine did not—such as why a musician chose a particular brand of instrument, or what was the inspiration for a certain song.”
I have always been struck by how much more candid musicians are when speaking to musician-oriented publications rather than the popular or music-fan press. Old issues of Guitar Player magazine come to mind in this regard. MUSICIAN mag offers much of the same. The intended audience here is musicians, specifically; not recording engineers; but there is still some interesting historical bits for audio fans. If you chance upon a pile of old issues, pick em up. Some revealing advertising from the August 1985 issue:
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I have a copy encased in plastic in excellent condition, a MUSICIAN's magazine Dec/Jan 1980 issue that displays John Lennon's passing. It is a complimentary issue with a pic of the Beatle w/ guitar sitting on stool. Is this worth anything? Does it have much value due to the content of JL's death?
unlikely that it has any value. check eBay to confirm. good luck. c.