Margaret Moser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Moser
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Moser on the panel "Reconsidering the Groupie" at the 2009 Pop Conference, Experience Music Project
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| Born | May 16, 1954 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Died | August 25, 2017 (aged 63) San Antonio, Texas, United States |
| Occupation | Journalist, critic, historian, singer |
| Subject | History of rock, punk music, the blues and the origins of music in Texas |
| Years active | 1979–2017 |
| Spouse |
Mike Malone
(m. 1984) |
Margaret Moser (born May 16, 1954 – died August 25, 2017) was an American journalist and music expert. She was also a critic, historian, and backup singer. She was famous for leading the Austin Music Awards (AMA) at the South by Southwest festival. Her career in music writing and reviewing lasted over 30 years. Margaret also helped young musicians. She helped them start their careers and find places to perform. The Paramount Theatre called her the "patron saint of Austin music." This means she was a very important supporter of music in Austin.
Early Life
Margaret Moser was born on May 16, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Phyllis Jackson Stegall and Willard Cummings Moser. She grew up in different cities, including New Orleans, Houston, and San Antonio. In 1973, Margaret moved from San Antonio to Austin.
Music Scene Involvement
For several years, Margaret was very involved in the music scene. She wanted to be "where the action was" in the music world. She was often seen with a group of other women. They were called "The Texas Blondes" by musician John Cale. Margaret was the leader of this group. They enjoyed music events and often received free tickets and backstage passes. This was around 1982. Margaret also sang backup in the 1980s. She was one of the "Jam & Jelly Girls" for a singer named Dino Lee.
Journalism Career
Margaret Moser started working at the Austin Sun newspaper in 1976. She began as a janitor, but soon started writing about music. She got her first interview by saying she knew Randy California. When the Austin Sun closed, the Austin Chronicle hired Margaret in 1981. She wrote a gossip column called "In One Ear." This column became very important for Austin music fans. The Austin American-Statesman newspaper said it was "essential reading."
Margaret wrote honestly about music and the Austin music scene. She shared her own experiences with the "rock and roll lifestyle." Alvin Crow, a musician, said she was a "true critic." He believed her when she said someone was good.
On December 4, 1984, Margaret married Mike Malone. He was a tattoo artist known as Rollo Banks. They moved to Hawaii. They separated in the early 1990s. Margaret then returned to Austin and the Austin Chronicle. There, she began writing about the history of Austin's music scene. She wrote about rock, punk music, and the blues. She also explored how music began in Texas.
In 2012, Margaret helped create the South Texas Popular Culture Center. It is also known as "Tex Pop" and is in San Antonio. Her husband, Steve Chaney, also helped start the museum. Margaret was the curator there. The museum shows music history from South Texas from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Later Life and Legacy
In February 2013, Margaret Moser was diagnosed with colon cancer. She retired as the director of the Austin Music Awards (AMA) in 2014. Before she retired, a small area next to the Austin Music Hall was named Margaret Moser Plaza. In the same year, she also retired from the Austin Chronicle. In 2016, the AMA started the Margaret Moser Award. This award recognizes important women in the Austin music community.
Around June 2017, Margaret stopped her cancer treatment. She went into hospice care, which provides comfort for people nearing the end of life. She invited friends to visit her before she died. She held a "Sunday Open House" for them. Margaret Moser passed away on August 25, 2017, at her home in San Antonio.
