Dave Marsh, a pioneering rock critic and author of Born to Run, died at his home in Connecticut, according to a tribute from SiriusXM host Jim Rotolo.

Dave Marsh, the influential rock critic, author and Bruce Springsteen biographer, has died at the age of 76.

Variety reported on Saturday, Aug. 15, that Marsh died at his home in Connecticut. His death was confirmed by Jim Rotolo, host of the Springsteen-focused SiriusXM programme The Wild and The Innocent.

Rotolo shared the news on the show’s official Facebook page, paying tribute to Marsh and describing him as a longtime friend and a prominent figure in Springsteen’s history.

Marsh wrote several books about Springsteen, including his influential 1979 biography Born to Run. His wider body of work covered approximately 25 books focused on music and musicians, particularly the history of rock music.

“Dave wrote several books about Bruce as part of a remarkable body of work spanning some 25 titles,” Rotolo wrote in his tribute.

Marsh was also a longtime critic and editor for publications including Creem and Rolling Stone. His work helped shape the discussion surrounding rock music during a period of major change in the industry.

He was among the creators of E Street Radio and hosted Kick Out the Jams on SiriusXM for 19 years. Marsh also served as a committee member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Who was Dave Marsh?

Marsh began his career at Creem magazine in 1969 and became one of the influential voices in American rock criticism.

He is credited with coining the term “punk rock” in 1971 while writing about Question Mark & the Mysterians. During the 1970s and early 1980s, he worked as an editor at Rolling Stone, where he reviewed major albums and contributed to the magazine’s critical coverage of popular music.

His long association with Springsteen made him particularly prominent among fans of the singer and the E Street Band. His writing documented Springsteen’s early career and helped establish a lasting record of his rise in rock music.

Dave Marsh cause of death

The official cause of Dave Marsh’s death has not been disclosed.

According to the information available, Marsh had experienced declining health in recent years and stepped away from public life and broadcasting in 2022.

In his tribute, Rotolo concluded by thanking Marsh for his contribution to music and friendship, saying he would be missed.