Dan Crane

Dan Crane is a journalist, author, actor, host, musician, comedian and competitive air-guitarist (retired). He is the author of “To Air is Human: One Man’s Quest to Become the World’s Greatest Air Guitarist” (Riverhead Books, 2006), and the co-star of the award-winning documentary, Air Guitar Nation.

In 2004, Crane gave up his career as an educational software producer to pursue his dream of becoming the world’s best air guitarist. Under the nom d’air Björn Türqoue (pronounced to-RAWK), he competed in numerous competitions, repeatedly coming in second place. He retired in 2005 and now emcees air guitar competitions around the world.

“Bjorn Turoque, a former world champion and author, is the Master of Airemonies for the National Finals. He’s charismatic, handsome, engaging and the anti-Ryan Seacrest. And he has a way about him that keeps everyone attuned to what’s happening on stage.” --The Post Game / Yahoo Sports

His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Elle, Slate, Esquire, Blender, Paper, and Nylon. He has lectured on the art and history of air guitar at Columbia University, UNC Chapel Hill, Seattle’s Experience Music Project Museum, Google, NASA and TEDx. His numerous television appearances include Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Last Call with Carson Daly, VH1’s “Undateable,” “Free Radio” and “100 Best Hard Rock Songs;” MTV’s “Next,” CNN, and Fox and Friends. He also gives an air guitar lesson on the Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure Twentieth Anniversary Special Edition DVD.

Since 2006, he has hosted the US and World Air Guitar Championships, becoming, as many have said, “The Ryan Seacrest of Air Guitar.”

Crane also plays bass and sings in a faux-French rock band called Nous Non Plus. His new band is called The Quick Hellos. He has also composed music for film and television, including the musical score for Air Guitar Nation, The Cool School (PBS, Fall 2007), Hollywood Home Movies (A&E;, 2005), How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It) (2005), and The Third Date (independent short, 2003).

Dan lives in Los Angeles with his air groupie.