Founded in Berkeley, CA in 1973 by Charles Shere and Ann Kish, Ear magazine was a journal on contemporary music that was published through 1991.
A volunteer-based effort from the start, Ear grew to become a professionally produced and internationally distributed commerical publication. In 1975, after twenty-five issues had appeared, the magazine moved to New York City, when Beth Anderson, who had become its primary editor in 1973, relocated. From this point on, two separate editions of Ear existed, with the West Coast version continuing into the early 1980s. In 1976 the New Wilderness Foundation (NWF) took over the task of publishing Ear, and would remain its parent organization until 1987. Founded in 1974 by poet Jerome Rothenburg and sound artist Charlie Morrow, the NWF was a not-for-profit organization that funded alternative arts and music projects. Many of Ear's early activities were closely related to other NWF projects, such as the Summer Solstice celebrations in Central Park. In 1987 the magazine separated from NWF and incorporated itself as a non-profit organization called Ear, Inc. It expanded operations by increasing from five to ten issues a year. In 1989, Ear changed format from tabloid size newsprint, to a standard magazine format, with glossy cover and 64 pages. A major achievement occurred in the fall of 1990 when Absolut Vodka sponsored the production of new music CDs to include with issues of Ear. Financial conditions deteriorated, however, and the magazine ceased publication with its 1991 Fall Supplement.
From the description of Ear magazine records, 1962-1992 (bulk 1977-1991). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 85037919
