Rodney Burbeck dies

Rodney Burbeck, former editor of Publishing News, has died at the age of 78, after a long period of illness. He had been suffering with Parkinson’s Disease for some years. His health deteriorated after a heart attack last summer and he died peacefully in his sleep in Kingston Hospital, south west London, on 30th August. He is survived by his wife Frances and son Daniel.

Burbeck joined Publishing News in 1986 and worked on the paper until its closure in 2008. He was editor from 1999 to 2003. He moved into book industry journalism after a successful career in the music business, beginning in public relations with CBS Records and ending as editor of Music Week. He also worked on Fleet Street, on the Daily Sketch where he met the founder of Publishing News, Fred Newman.