Perth Collector's Rolling Stone Archive Reveals Generations of Music History
Former radio host Dean Clairs has opened the doors to his remarkable collection of Rolling Stone magazines, showcasing what he describes as "generations of music history" in the second instalment of PerthNow's Perth Collectors series.
A Star-Studded Collection of Musical Icons
Dean Clairs invites viewers into his personal archive with a playful nod to domestic life, joking that his wife refers to the collection as "a whole lot of other junk." The collection features numerous iconic editions of the renowned music publication, with covers spotlighting Australian and international legends including Men At Work, Paul Kelly, and Bob Dylan.
From Wheatbelt Beginnings to a Lifelong Passion
Mr Clairs' fascination with music magazines began at age eighteen while working his first radio job in Merredin, a town in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region. During an era predating widespread internet access, he found himself without instant information about global music scenes.
"I thought I needed to have the resources. All you had was rock magazines, encyclopaedias and the daily newspaper," Mr Clairs explained, highlighting the practical necessity that sparked his collecting journey.
This need led him to purchase his first "rock and roll bible" collection in 1983, initiating what would become a decades-long dedication to preserving Rolling Stone publications.
Decades of Musical Greatness Preserved
Throughout the interview, Mr Clairs guides audiences through the extensive timeline represented in his collection. The archive includes not only individual magazine issues but also comprehensive yearbooks and books featuring every Rolling Stone cover ever published.
He expresses a profound personal connection to the magazine, stating: "I feel this deep connection with this mag, because it's one of the things that got me through, not just the interviews, but just to have a big bit of music credibility."
Reflecting on contemporary media, Mr Clairs notes: "There's not a lot of that on the radio these days, to talk about the music and have some real depth to your knowledge."
The Cultural Significance of a Music Institution
Mr Clairs emphasises the enduring importance of Rolling Stone magazine within broader cultural contexts. "If you think about the cultural significance of Rolling Stone, it's been called the Rock and Roll Bible and so many other things over time, so it does have a lot of not just history, but touchstones in our life," he observes.
His collection serves as a tangible record of musical evolution, journalistic excellence, and cultural milestones captured through the magazine's distinctive lens.
Part of a Broader Collector Series
Dean Clairs' Rolling Stone magazine collection represents the second feature in PerthNow's four-part Perth Collectors series. New episodes are scheduled for release every Tuesday, offering audiences regular insights into unique collections from across the Perth community.
The series aims to celebrate passionate collectors and the stories behind their carefully curated archives, with Mr Clairs' musical trove providing a compelling example of how personal interests can evolve into significant historical repositories.
