Who Is Robert Christgau? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on April 18, 1942, Robert Christgau is an influential American music journalist known for his insightful criticism and contribution to music journalism. As of 2025, he is 83 years old. Christgau gained fame in the 1960s and 1970s, often referred to as the "Dean of American Rock Critics." His work appears in various platforms, including his renowned "Consumer Guide" column, which reviewed music albums and helped shape public perception of countless artists.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 18, 1942 |
| Age | 83 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Robert Christgau's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about his height, weight, and body measurements are not widely documented, Robert Christgau's presence is defined more by his intellect and insight into music than by his physical attributes.
Robert Thomas Christgau (born April 18, 1942) is an American music journalist and essayist.
Among the most influential music critics, he began his career in the late 1960s as one of the earliest professional rock critics and later became an early proponent of musical movements such as hip hop, riot grrrl, and the import of African popular music in the West.
He was the chief music critic and senior editor for The Village Voice for 37 years, during which time he created and oversaw the annual Pazz & Jop critics poll. He has also covered popular music for Esquire, Creem, Newsday, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Billboard, NPR, Blender, and MSN Music; he was a visiting arts teacher at New York University.
CNN senior writer Jamie Allen has called Christgau "the E. F. Hutton of the music world—when he talks, people listen."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Robert Christgau is known to be private about his personal life, including details surrounding family and relationships. His romantic history is not extensively covered in the media, and there have been no public announcements regarding a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. Throughout his career, Christgau has focused predominantly on his work, making his personal life somewhat of a mystery.
Christgau rated the album C+ and wrote in his review, "I thank Lou for pronouncing my name right." In December 1980, Christgau provoked angry responses from Voice readers when his column approvingly quoted his wife Carola Dibbell's reaction to the murder of John Lennon: "Why is it always Bobby Kennedy or John Lennon?
Why isn't it Richard Nixon or Paul McCartney?" Similar criticism came from Sonic Youth in their song "Kill Yr Idols". Christgau responded by saying "Idolization is for rock stars, even rock stars manqué like these impotent bohos—critics just want a little respect.
So if it's not too hypersensitive of me, I wasn't flattered to hear my name pronounced right, not on this particular title track."
Net Worth and Salary
Robert Christgau’s net worth in 2025 is estimated to be between $2 million to $5 million. His earnings stem from his extensive career as a music critic, author, and teacher. He has contributed to various publications and continues to engage with fans through online platforms, solidifying his financial status while sharing his love for music.
In September 2019, at the encouragement of friend and colleague Joe Levy, Christgau began publishing the newsletter "And It Don't Stop" on the newsletter-subscription platform Substack. Charging subscribers $5 per month, it has his monthly "Consumer Guide" column, podcasts, and free weekly content like book reviews.
He was skeptical of the platform at first: "Basically I told Joe that if I didn't have enough subscribers to pay what I made at Noisey by Christmas I was going to quit. I wasn't going to do it for less than that money. I had that many subscribers inside of three days." By May 2020, "And It Don't Stop" had more than 1,000 subscribers.
Christgau was ambivalent about the platform at first, but has since found it "immensely gratifying" explaining that, "A man my age, who is still really intellectually active? It is tremendously flattering and gratifying that there are people who are ready to help support me."
Career, Business, and Investments
Christgau's career spans several decades and includes significant roles in various influential publications. He was formerly a critic for The Village Voice and has also contributed to Rolling Stone, Billboard, and several other music-oriented publications. His critique-focused books and essays have positioned him as a foremost authority on popular music.
In addition to writing, Christgau has taught courses on music journalism, bridging the gap between academia and practical experience. His investments are largely centered on his wise engagement with popular music rather than traditional business ventures.
"I don't know anything about music, which ought to be a damaging admission but isn't... The fact is that pop writers in general shy away from such arcana as key signature and beats to the measure... I used to confide my worries about this to friends in the record industry, who reassured me. They didn't know anything about music either.
The technical stuff didn't matter, I was told. You just gotta dig it."
Social Network
Robert Christgau maintains a presence on social media platforms, often sharing insights about music and culture. His connections on Twitter and other sites allow him to interact with both fans and industry professionals, keeping the dialogue surrounding music criticism alive in the digital age.
Christgau wrote short stories, before giving up fiction in 1964 to become a sportswriter and later, a police reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger. He became a freelance writer after a story he wrote about the death of a woman in New Jersey was published by New York magazine. He was among the first dedicated rock critics.
He was asked to take over the dormant music column at Esquire, which he began writing in June 1967. He also contributed to Cheetah magazine at the time. He then became a leading voice in the formation of a musical–political aesthetic combining New Left politics and the counterculture.
After Esquire discontinued the column, Christgau moved to The Village Voice in 1969, and he also worked as a college professor.
Education
Robert Christgau earned his Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1964. His academic background laid a solid foundation for his critical thinking and writing skills, which he honed throughout his career as a music journalist.
After attending public school in the city, Christgau attended Dartmouth College graduating in 1962 with a B.A. degree in English. At college, his musical interests turned to jazz, but he quickly returned to rock after moving back to New York.
He has said that Miles Davis's 1960 album Sketches of Spain initiated "one phase of the disillusionment (in him) with jazz that resulted in my return to rock and roll." He was deeply influenced by New Journalism writers including Gay Talese and Tom Wolfe.
"My ambitions when I went into journalism were always, to an extent, literary", Christgau said later.
