Dave Laing (born David William Laing; 9 January 1947 – 7 January 2019) was an English writer, editor and broadcaster best known for his work on the history and business of popular music. He combined music journalism with reference publishing and academic-style editing, producing accessible surveys and practical guides that served students, journalists and industry professionals.

Career and editorial work

Laing first attracted wider attention in the early 1970s as editor of the monthly British music magazine Let It Rock, a periodical that examined contemporary popular music with historical and cultural perspectives. Over subsequent decades he contributed to a variety of magazines, books and radio programmes, writing about musical styles, record industry practices and the social contexts of popular music. In his later years he also wrote for national newspapers and outlets, including work published via The Guardian.

Major publications

Laing authored and co‑authored several influential reference and practical works. He was a collaborator on multi-author encyclopedic projects and produced guides aimed at people working in the music business. His books combined documentary research with clear, practical explanations of how the music industry operates.

  • The Faber Companion to 20th Century Popular Music (co‑authored with Phil Hardy) — a broad reference on popular music of the century.
  • The Guerrilla Guide to the Music Business (co‑written with Sarah Davis) — a practical manual for musicians and managers.
  • Editor or contributing editor to general reference volumes on popular music, including the Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World.

Approach and influence

Laing was noted for bridging the gap between journalism and scholarship. Rather than specializing narrowly in a single genre, he approached popular music as a social and economic phenomenon, describing how artists, audiences and industry structures interacted. His reference works became standard starting points for research and practical guidance for people entering the music business.

He remained active into his seventies, continuing to write, edit and broadcast about music history and contemporary developments until his death on 7 January 2019. Laing's work is remembered for its readable style, thoroughness and emphasis on placing musical events in broader cultural and commercial contexts.