Breaking: Australian rock music journalist Glenn A Baker dies

Glenn A. Baker, a highly respected Australian music journalist and broadcaster, has passed away at the age of 74. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of music history and facts, Baker's death was announced on Friday, July 31, 2026, following a "period of illness," according to his son, Orson.

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somebody who absolutely grabbed life, throttled it, and did everything that he wanted to do

Baker's contributions to the music industry were vast and varied. In the mid-1970s, he was instrumental in a research project that led to the establishment of 2JJ, which eventually evolved into the iconic radio station triple j. He began his broadcasting career hosting a trivia program on 2JJ before moving to Triple M. His influence extended to artist management, as he managed the band Ol'55, and entrepreneurship, co-founding the Australian record label Raven Records in 1979.

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subsequently I think music became something he could cling to, something that brought him joy

His tenure as the editor of Billboard magazine spanned more than 20 years, during which he also authored 17 books and provided sleeve notes for over 600 albums. Baker was also a collector, reportedly owning 80,000 records and approximately 30,000 CDs. His distinctive style, often including brimless hats, was as recognizable as his deep passion for music.

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Growing up, the most exciting thing was going out to purchase a new record to bring that record home, to open it up and to read the inner sleeve, the comments, the notes by the band, the photos... And then to sit there and play it ... play the entire album start to finish, this was his world.

Orson Baker described his father as someone who "absolutely grabbed life, throttled it, and did everything that he wanted to do." He noted that music became a source of joy and stability for Baker, who had a somewhat nomadic childhood. Baker's early fascination with music began at age 15, inspired by seeing The Beatles on television, leading him to leave school to help support his family. His son recounted Baker's childhood ritual of eagerly purchasing new records, opening them to read the liner notes, and listening to entire albums from start to finish, highlighting music's central role in his life. Baker also traveled extensively, visiting over 150 countries and becoming an accomplished travel writer, with music remaining his ultimate passion.

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I'm beyond sad. This is a post that I was hoping I wouldn't be making.