Reference Number
ARC-0010
Level of description
collection
Title
Ben Fong-Torres Collection
Date
1957-1977
Size
0.21 (Linear feet)
Scope and Contents
The Ben Fong-Torres Collection spans the years from 1957-1977, and contains files from his tenure at Rolling Stone magazine, as well as radio programming lists by Bill Gavin. The files were found mixed in with issues of the Gavin Report, a radio publication. There is also one digital audio tape containing an interview Fong-Torres conducted with David Crosby in 1970. The collection is arranged alphabetically by title.
Biography / Administrative History
Ben Fong-Torres is an award-winning rock journalist, DJ, and author. After graduating from San Francisco State College in 1966, he joined the staff of Rolling Stone, eventually moving up to the position of news editor. Fong-Torres conducted some of Rolling Stone's most famous interviews, including Ray Charles, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, the Grateful Dead, the Jackson 5, Elton John, Diane Keaton, Steve Martin, Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt, the Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, Ike and Tina Turner, and Stevie Wonder. He earned the Deems Taylor Award for his 1974 interview with Ray Charles. Fong-Torres was a DJ on KSAN in San Francisco from 1970 to 1979; he also hosted a weekly arts program, "Fog City Radio," on KQED-FM. His books include his memoir, The Rice Room: From Number Two Son to Rock and Roll, and Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons, which was nominated for a Ralph Gleason Book Award in 1991. He has also written for the San Francisco Chronicle, Asian Connections, Parade, Harper's Bazaar, and Sports Illustrated.
Timeline
1945: Born in Alameda, California
1968: Begins writing for <title render="italic">Rolling Stone</title>
1970: Begins working as a disc jockey at KSAN in San Francisco
1981: Leaves <title render="italic">Rolling Stone</title>
Notes
Processing Information: Processed by Christine Borne, Project Archivist. Completed July 22, 2010. Revised by Anastasia Karel, Archivist. Completed February 17, 2015. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local Style Guide.
Citation: [Identification of item], Ben Fong-Torres Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Separated Materials: Copies of the Gavin Report and BAM (Bay Area Music) magazine have been transferred to the library collection. Please search for these titles in the library catalog. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, consult the Library and Archives staff to ensure these materials are available.
Acquisition Note: The Ben Fong-Torres Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., as a gift from Fong-Torres on May 13, 2011.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. The audiovisual material in this collection is on a defunct media format and, therefore, is RESTRICTED. An access copy will have to be created prior to use. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
Associated Persons
Associated Subjects
Location
Library and Archives/Digital Storage/Deposit:\
