Irwin Stambler (20 November 1924 – 10 February 2017) was an American writer.

Early life and education

edit

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Sidney Stambler, a jewelry and silver fabricator, and Bessie Levine, a piano teacher, Irwin Stambler attended New York University.[1] His studies in aeronautical engineering were interrupted by a two-year service in the Army during World War II, after which he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees.[1]

Career

edit

Stambler started his career as an aerospace engineer, but later transitioned to writing about topics such as aerospace, technology, music, and sports.[1]

By 1969, he had authored two music encyclopedias, including a collaboration on a country music volume.[1] Despite an initial interest in authoring a rock encyclopedia in the 1960s, his first major music work was Encyclopedia of Popular Music (1965), which included entries on Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers.[1][2] His work The Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul, published in 1974 by St. Martin's Press, covered a broad spectrum of music history.[1][3] He also wrote articles for Space Aeronautics and newsletters.[1]

Bibliography

edit
  • Space Ship: Story of the X-15 (1961)[4]
  • The Battle for Inner Space: Undersea Warfare and Weapons (1962)[4]
  • Wonders of Underwater Exploration (1962)[4]
  • Breath of Life: Story of Our Atmosphere (1963)[4]
  • Build the Unknown (1963)[4]
  • Project Gemini (1964)[4]
  • Encyclopedia of Popular Music (1965)[4]
  • Supersonic Transport (1965)[4]
  • Orbiting Space Stations (1965)[4]
  • Automobiles of the Future (1966)[4]
  • Great Moments in Auto Racing (1967)[4]
  • Guide to Model Car Racing (1967)[4]
  • Weather Instruments (1968)[4]
  • Worlds of Sound (1968)[4]
  • Ocean Liners of the Air (1969)[4]
  • Encyclopedia of Folk, Country and Western Music (1969, 1984) (with G. Landon)[4]
  • World of Microelectronics (1969)[4]
  • Project Viking (1970)[4]
  • Guitar Years: Popular Music from Country and Western to Hard Rock (1970)[4]
  • Golden Guitars: The Story of Country Music (1971) (with G. Landon)[4]
  • Great Moments in Stock Car Racing (1971)[4]
  • Unusual Automobiles of Today and Tomorrow (1972)[4]
  • Shorelines of America (1972)[4]
  • Automobile Engines of Today and Tomorrow (1973)[4]
  • Revolution in Light (1973)[4]
  • The Supercars and the Men Who Drive Them (1974)[4]
  • Speed Kings (1974)[4]
  • Women in Sports (1975)[4]
  • Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul (1975, 1989)[4]
  • The Supercars and the Men Who Race Them (1975)[4]
  • Bill Walton, Super Center (1976)[4]
  • Catfish Hunter (1976)[4]
  • Here Come the Funny Cars (1976)[4]
  • Minibikes and Small Cycles (1977)[4]
  • New Automobiles of the Future (1978)[4]
  • Top Fuelers (1978)[4]
  • Racing the Sprint Cars (1979)[4]
  • Dream Machines: Vans and Pickups (1980)[4]
  • New Encyclopedia of Folk, Country and Western Music (1983) (with G. Landon)[4]
  • Off-Roading (1984)[4]
  • Encyclopedia of Country & Country Rock (1997)[4]
  • Encyclopedia of Folk and Blues (2000) (with L. Stambler)[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Sandomir, Richard (February 17, 2017). "Irwin Stambler, 92, Dies; Reference Book Writer With Songs in His Heart". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Irwin Stambler, who chronicled the history of rock in scholarly encyclopedias, dies at 92". Los Angeles Times. February 16, 2017.
  3. ^ "'Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul' Author Irwin Stambler Dies". Billboard. February 17, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap "Stambler, Irwin". Encyclopedia.com.