Alan Betrock (July 3, 1953 – February 19, 2000) was an American music journalist, author, record producer, and record label executive, most noted for founding the influential magazine New York Rocker and the independent label Shake Records.
Early life and education
Alan Betrock was born in New York City. Details concerning his family background and formal education are not extensively documented in widely available encyclopedic sources.
Career
New York Rocker (1976–1981)
In 1976, Betrock launched New York Rocker, a magazine that covered the emerging punk and new wave scenes in New York City and beyond. The publication featured interviews, record reviews, and scene reports, and it became a key outlet for emerging artists. It ceased regular publication in 1981 after eight issues and several special editions.
Shake Records (1980s)
Building on his editorial experience, Betrock founded Shake Records in 1980, an independent label that released records by early alternative and power‑pop acts. Notable releases included the debut EP by the Bangles, the debut single by The Dream Syndicate, and early recordings by The Smithereens. Betrock also produced several of these recordings, contributing to the development of the 1980s college‑rock sound.
Writing and publishing
Beyond New York Rocker, Betrock authored and compiled several books and reference works on popular music, including The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Classic Rock (1985) and The Encyclopedia of 1950s Rock & Roll (1995). He contributed articles to various music periodicals and maintained a reputation as a knowledgeable chronicler of rock history.
Later life and death
Betrock continued to work in music publishing and consulting until his death from a heart attack on February 19, 2000, in New York City.
Legacy
Alan Betrock is remembered for his early advocacy of punk and new wave artists, his role in documenting the 1970s New York music scene, and his contributions to the independent record industry. His editorial and label activities helped launch the careers of several artists who achieved mainstream success in subsequent decades.