Western Illinois University College of Fine Arts and Communication

Hank Bordowitz

Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor in the Western Illinois University Music Business Program, Hank Bordowitz holds a BA from Rutgers University and an MA from Thomas Edison State College of NJ. In a 30 year career in the music business he has worked as a radio and recording studio engineer, producer, and musician, record retailer and distributor, recording artist, trade journalist, record promotion, publicity, and A&R consultant, radio programmer, director at an early online music company, and editor of many music publications, including Creem Special Issues, Sheet Music Magazine, and Rock Scene. His work has appeared in over a hundred magazines, and in the liner notes of dozens of CDs, including the CD reissue of Blood Sweat and Tears 2. He has taught courses in music and the music business at Ramapo College of the State of New Jersey, Baruch College of the City University of New York, Bergen Community College, and Colorado State University.

Mr. Bordowitz has appeared on panels at numerous music and entertainment industry events, contributed to the CBS Morning Show and VH-1 Music Watch on TV, a variety of radio shows and appeared on the MSG Network Series “MSG 50.” He is also the author of nine critically acclaimed books about music and the music business:

• Dirty Little Secrets of the Record Business – Why So Much Music You Hear Sucks, A Cappella Books/Chicago Review Press, (Chicago, 2007)
• Billy Joel – Life and Times of an Angry Young Man, Billboard Books, (New York, 2006)
• Noise of the World – Non Western Musicians In Their Own Words (Soft Skull Press (Brooklyn, NY, 2005)
• Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright – The Bob Marley Reader (Da Capo Books, New York, 2004)
• Turning Points in Rock and Roll (Citadel Press, New York, 2004)
• The Bruce Springsteen Scrapbook, (Citadel Press, New York, 2004)
• The U2 Reader, (Hal Leonard Books, Milwaukee, WI, 2003)
• The Peanuts Illustrated Songbook, (Hal Leonard Books, Milwaukee, WI, 2000)
• Bad Moon Rising: The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival, (Schirmer Books (New York City, 1998, Second Edition A Cappella Books/Chicago Review Press, 2007).
• Contributor to
  • The Outlaw Bible of America Essays, (Thunder Mouth Press, NY, 2006)
  • Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Gale Group (New York, 2001)
  • Musichound World Essential Album Guide, (Visible Ink, New York, 1999)
  • The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide, (Straight Arrow, New York, 1999)
  • Music Producers, (Hal Leonard Books, Milwaukee, Wi, 1992)
  • Behind The Hits, (Warner Books, New York, 1986)

An ASCAP Deems Taylor Award and BMI Book Award Nominee, and voting member of NARAS, the MEIEA and the Authors Guild, Mr. Bordowitz will be appearing as a music business expert in the forthcoming documentary films “Regeneration,” “New York Turntable: The Music and Radio of Frankie Crocker,” and one other as yet untitled project, as well as in a classroom near you.

Office Location: 209 Browne Hall
Office Phone: 309/298-1464
Email: HB-Bordowitz@wiu.edu

[ Music ] [ College of Fine Arts and Communication ] [ Western Illinois University ] School of Music | 1 University Circle | Macomb, IL 61455 E-mail: music@wiu.edu | Phone: 309/298-1544 | Fax: 309-298-1968 Last updated: August 26, 2007