Well-known for their regional books on everything from travel and natural history to sports, gardening, astronomy and country living, Minneapolis-based Voyageur Press—founded in 1972—has amassed an eclectic and dynamic catalog of high-quality music related books since becoming an imprint of UK based Quayside Pubishing Group in 2007. While the stated goal on its Facebook profile is to “be America’s regional publisher,” the publisher’s offerings cater and are sold to music fans and musicians around the world.
Two highly anticipated titles typify the diversity of the richly illustrated music related books—from histories of legendary rock bands to fascinating tomes about musical instruments and gear. Rush: The Illustrated History, penned by veteran music journalist Martin Popoff, is a 192-page hardback volume featuring 376 color and 90 black & white photos and retailing for $35. Dave Hunter’s 365 Guitars, Amps & Effects You Must Play: The Most Sublime, Bizarre and Outrageous Gear Ever is a 320-page paperback featuring 656 color and 31 black & white images. It retails for $21.99.
Steve Roth, Voyageur’s Marketing Manager and a 20-year music industry veteran, says, “All of our books are lavish, high quality, extremely well researched works by big name rock journalists. The band and artist books are heavily illustrated histories which are like Hall of Fame exhibits as they feature rare personal photos, concert photos and memorabilia, including tickets and posters, all presented in a chronological format.
“The musical instrument books are for folks who are passionate about the instruments they own and play. The recent Fender Telecaster: The Life and Times of the Electric Guitar That Changed The World tell the story of the instrument’s creation and its influence on rock music, and includes profiles of players who have been known to use them,” he adds. “The Fender book has illustrated features on Springsteen, Billy Gibbons, Keith Richards, Vince Gill, Syd Barrett and Clarence White, to name a few.”
Scrolling the catalog pages on the website (http://voyageurpress.com/categories/113/Music.html) leads to exciting discoveries dating back to 2007. Also by Hunter is Amped: The Illustrated History of the World’s Greatest Amplifiers, a 2012 hardback (208 pages, 339 color and 57 black & white photos, $35). Neil Daniels wrote Iron Maiden: The Ultimate Unauthorized History of the Beast (224 pages, 421 color and 39 black & white photos, $40). Daniel Durchholz and Gary Graff wrote 2010’s Neil Young: Long May You Run: The Illustrated History (224 pages, 291 color and 118 black & white photos, $30) as well as 2012’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Myths (240 pages, 102 color and 55 black & white photos, $22).
Another popular title is The Replacements: All Over But the Shouting: An Oral History) by Jim Walsh (304 pages, 81 black & white photos, $21.95). The rock legends list extends to Richard Bienstock’s Aerosmith: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Boston Bad Boys (224 pages, 378 color and 71 black & white photos, $35); Chris Welch’s Clapton: The Ultimate Illustrated History (256 pages, 347 color and 53 black & white photos, $40); Phil Sutcliffe’s Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock (288 pages, 456 color and 77 black & white photos, $24.99) and Jon Bream’s Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin: The Illustrated History of the Heaviest Band of All Time, now available in paperback.
While Voyageur Press focuses on rock & roll, their catalog includes such titles as 2012’s Miles Davis: The Complete Illustrated History, Rockabilly: The Twang Heard Round The World and The Art of Punk.
Voyageur Press’ parent company Quayside Publishing Group represents a dynamic group of imprints dedicated to quality print and ebooks. Formed in 2004 upon Rockport Publishers’ acquisition of Creative Publishing international, the Quayside Publishing Group now encompasses Cool Springs Press, Fair Winds Press, Motorbooks, MVP Books, Quarry Books, Quayside Distribution Services, Quiver, Race Point Publishing, Rockport Publishers, Zenith Press and Walter Foster Publishing.
Contact Voyageur Press, 612-344-8156
