Chet Flippo

Chet Flippo

Chet Flippo was born on October 21st, 1943. Chet passed away June 19th, 2013 at 69 years old. Chet Flippo was born in Fort Worth, Texas, United States. Flippo attended The University of Texas at Austin where he received a Master's Degree in Journalism.

Chet Flippo was an American editor, author, and music journalist who was one of the most prominent voices who shaped the coverage of country and rock music in mainstream media.

Before becoming a journalist, he served in the Vietnam War and returned home to secure a job as a writer at Rolling Stone magazine. By 1974, he had risen through the ranks to become senior editor and New York bureau chief.

During this time, he wrote in-depth pieces on the biggest names of the era, including John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Dolly Parton, among many others.

Flippo was at the forefront of spotlighting Austin's emerging music scene in the 1970s. He was particularly involved in the Outlaw Country movement, which connected country’s storytelling with the energy of rock music.

It was from his coverage that the likes of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings became national icons. For much of his career, he continued to explore the links between country and rock, becoming one of the most respected journalists in both genres.

Over his long career, he contributed to Billboard, The New York Times, and Texas Monthly, and served as editorial director at CMT.com. He also worked at the University of Tennessee as a journalism professor and wrote for several TV networks, earning several awards.

Chet passed on in 2013 but is still considered one of the most influential music journalists ever.

In his debut book, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Chet Flipp tells the story of Hank Williams, the country music legend.

Chet examines his rise from a humble background, his struggles with health and addiction, and his talents as a songwriter. He is remembered for his success as a recording artist and his groundbreaking impact on country music, before he passed away at age 29.

The work also explores his personal life, including the pressure from the music business, tensions in his marriage, and his loneliness. Through interviews and a detailed narrative, he offers a portrait of a talented artist whose legacy in country music lives on to this day.

Chet chronicled his time with The Rolling Stones in his 1985 published work On the Road With the Rolling Stones.

Spending more than twenty years with the band, he writes about the constraints of fame, the adventures on the road, and the culture of rock and roll. He shares stories of endless travel, drug scandals, concerts, and recording sessions with the band.

It is a behind-the-scenes look at the Rolling Stones and their life when they were not in the spotlight.

Chet also published an unauthorized biography of Beatle Paul McCartney titled McCartney, tracing his life from his days with the band into his solo career.

He examines his relationship with the other Beatles, particularly his rivalry and collaboration with John Lennon. He covers his marriage to Linda and how he managed his music life as a business.

Chet also examines his songwriting, his career-building, and his approach to fame.

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Chet Flippo: F.A.Q