Farewell to Offbeat magazine

I was sorry to read recently that the New Orleans music magazine Offbeat is to close down at the end of the year. I suppose it's another nail in the coffin of print publications but it's a shame, as Offbeat has been a reliable source of news and listings about New Orleans music ever since I first visited the city 35 years ago. Back then, there was another music magazine called Wavelength that also covered the types of music that interested me, including New Orleans rhythm and blues, zydeco, rock and roll and gospel. It was where writers like Jeff Hannusch, who wrote 'I Hear You Knockin: The Sound of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues', first made their mark. That magazine never made any money and lasted for just 11 years, closing down in 1991, but it was a must-read publication and one I subscribed to for a couple of years. Offbeat, which was founded by Jan Ramsey in 1987, has lasted somewhat longer but its life has also come to an end - unless a buyer is found. When I was in New Orleans last month one of the first things I did was seek out copies of Offbeat, which used to be available in any number of bars and shops in the French Quarter. I couldn't find one, as it turned out that it is now on line only, except during Jazzfest. I found copies of Where Y'at and Gambit, both of which include music listings for the Big Easy and are excellent in their own way, but the absence of Offbeat leaves a big hole. Sad to see another New Orleans institution die, after the Palm Court Jazz Cafe earlier in the year and a couple of other music outlets in Frenchmen Street.