Ed Ochs joined Billboard in New York in 1967 as an editor/columnist. His R&B and rock music columns, “Soul Sauce” and “Tomorrow,” were the most widely read weekly features in the music business from 1968 to 1972.
As the first recognized “rock critic” in the music business and soul editor of Billboard, Ochs chronicled both the Rock and Soul Music Revolutions of the late 1960s and early ‘70s in his columns, interviews, and concert reviews from Fillmore East.
In 1970 Ochs was honored by the National Association of Television & Radio Announcers for “Soul Sauce” and his contributions to black music.
After stints with record companies as a creative services and editorial director, Ochs returned to Billboard in 1981 as editorial director, special issues, producing specials for Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Barbra Streisand, among many others. He earned Billboard’s highest award for editorial achievement.
On the side, Ochs wrote creative editorial packages for recording artists such as Alice Cooper, Blondie, and the film “Roadie.”
Ochs was co-writer with David Jove of the pioneering, pre-MTV cable-music show “New Wave Theatre.”
In 2000 he was senior editor/director of content for the launch of Home Media Magazine’s all-entertainment news site, “The Hive.”
In addition to Billboard, he has edited or written for The Hollywood Reporter, Music Business International, The Hollywood Reporter, MultiMedia Merchandising, GameWeek, Home Media, Performance and Connected, to name a few.
In 2010 he published his novel “This Rock Can Talk” with Rock Press.
He presently resides in the greater Los Angeles area.