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Need a music expert? John Covach hits the right notes

The University of Rochester music historian has regularly sought out by news outlets around the world.

Jun 12, 2025

1 min

John Covach

Attention music journalists: When there are developments in the music industry — whether it be the emergence of a new sound, a growing trend in experiencing and listening to music, or the death of an influential artist — John Covach lends valuable perspective to your stories.


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Covach, a prominent rock and pop music historian who directs the Institute of Popular Music at the University of Rochester, is regularly sought out by news outlets around the world.


He recently helped The New York Times explain what made the album “Pet Sounds” a masterpiece for Beach Boys chief songwriter Brian Wilson. He has offered commentary to the New York Daily News on why artists might relinquish ownership of their music.


Last year, he offered thoughts to The Boston Globe on the timeless appeal of aging rock ‘n’ rollers who are still packing arenas.


“It doesn’t matter that they can’t sing the high notes anymore,” Covach told The Globe. “It doesn’t matter that they’re kind of stooped over. We’re seeing the person we remember from 40 or 50 years ago.”


Covach is a wealth of knowledge and an accessible expert. Connect with him by clicking on his profile.


Connect with:
John Covach

John Covach

Professor of Music and Director of the Institute for Popular Music; Professor of Theory at Eastman School of Music

John Covach is an expert on the history of popular and rock music, 12-tone music, and the philosophy and aesthetics of music.

Rock 'n' RollMusic and CultureProgressive Rock in the 1970sThe BeatlesPopular Music
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