Rockmine On-Line

visitor centre. After wasting six months, the consultant studying the project's viability told Deane that the centre would cost too much (approx Ł 6 million) and would be trying to target too few tourists (approx 1 million). Deane then suggested that they circumvent both problems by taking the collection to "visitors" around the world by way of their computers. It was December 1994, he didn't have a computer and hadn't heard of the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, the more he thought about the idea, the more he was convinced it would work. The rest, as they say, is history.

All enquiries: info@rockmine.music.co.uk Use of this site is subject to Rockmine's Conditions Of Use


What is Rockmine?		Rockmine is Europe's largest independent rock music archive. It was launched in 1985 as a one-stop resource for the media. Over the years it has provided background information for TV documentaries, radio series, record companies, publishers and the press.

How large is Rockmine?		Rockmine was originally built around three collections - audio, video and the written word. The audio collection amounts to 25,000 hours of unreleased material - demos, studio out-takes and interviews. The video collection is based around 7,000 hours of rare material from all across the globe - enough to run a TV station 24 hours a day for 291 days! As for the written word - 10,000+ music papers, thousands of rock related magazines and fanzines, hundreds of books and 750,000+ cuttings - all housed in the same building!

Is the archive for hire?		Yes. If you need a book, documentary or film researched, then Rockmine offers an unrivalled facility for every aspect of the media. For everything from pre-production to follow ups, we can help and we'll tailor the service to fit your budget. We aim to be the most flexible facility you'll ever find. We can either supply you with a bespoke package wherever you are in the world or you can come to us and we'll help you build what you need from the ground up. Needless to say we will not commence any work until we are in receipt of a working budget.

Who built it and runs it?		The archive and the web site were both conceived and built by one man - Roy Deane. He gives the archive and site their direction and is in overall control of the site's design and day to day running. If you like the design of this site and need someone to design, build or re-vamp your own, why not hire Rockmine to do the job for you.

When did it go on-line?		8th July 1995 with a few basic pages. Then as now, space was provided by Wintermute/IFB (Internet For Business) in Aberdeen, Scotland. Without their kindness, consideration and great patience, there would be no site - Thanks folks!.

Why?		By late 1993, the archive was out of control. It was impossible to maintain any up to date catalogue and another collection had grown up - memorabilia. The decision was made to sell the archive. As a result of the publicity the announcement to sell created, Roy Deane was asked to postpone the sale to allow a local government body time to look at ways of turning the collections into a rock museum/ visitor centre. After wasting six months, the consultant studying the project's viability told Deane that the centre would cost too much (approx Ł 6 million) and would be trying to target too few tourists (approx 1 million). Deane then suggested that they circumvent both problems by taking the collection to "visitors" around the world by way of their computers. It was December 1994, he didn't have a computer and hadn't heard of the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, the more he thought about the idea, the more he was convinced it would work. The rest, as they say, is history.