Jim Bessman (July 19, 1952 – June 22, 2021) was an American writer and music journalist.
He is best known as a music journalist, having written for Billboard magazine and numerous other publications, liner notes for albums, covering the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, and as an author of "The Ramones – An American Band"[1] and "John Mellencamp – The Concert at Walter Reed".
He was hired by Timothy White at Billboard to write the Songwriting and Publishing column, and continued to contribute stories for over twenty-five years, later preferring to remain freelance.
[2] Ann Powers refers to Bessman's liner notes in her New York Times review of Jane Siberry's 1997 album Child.
[3] Linda Moran, president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame was quoted as saying: "...he was a great historian...he knew hidden facts about everything.