Short answers, pulled from the story.
Robert Hilburn was born on the 25th of September 1939 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He spent his first five years on his grandfather's farm in nearby Campti, a rural setting that exposed him to the raw sounds of country and blues music during summers spent visiting his grandparents.
Robert Hilburn replaced Pete Johnson as the rock critic for the Los Angeles Times in 1970. He covered pivotal moments in music history including Elton John's inaugural visit to Russia, Paul Simon's Graceland tour stop in Zimbabwe, and Bob Dylan's first concerts in Israel.
Robert Hilburn was an early champion of artists who later became legends including John Prine, Patti Smith, The Eagles, Tom Petty, Prince, Elvis Costello, Guns N' Roses, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Ice Cube, Public Enemy, Eminem, The White Stripes, Arcade Fire, and X. His support helped launch the careers of John Prine, Bruce Springsteen, and Dr. Dre.
Robert Hilburn published his memoir Corn Flakes with John Lennon in 2010 and Johnny Cash: The Life in 2013. He later released Paul Simon: The Life in 2018 and A Few Words in Defense of Our Country: The Biography of Randy Newman in October 2024.
Robert Hilburn hosts a weekly Wednesday evening music program called Rock 'n' Roll Times on 885 The SoCal Sound. This public broadcasting radio station in Southern California allows him to reach a new generation of listeners with his insights and stories.