Classic Rock

Every month Classic Rock is packed with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes features on rock’s biggest names, from Led Zeppelin to Deep Purple, from Guns N’ Roses to the Rolling Stones, from the Sex Pistols to AC/DC and beyond. Each issue plays host to the heftiest rock reviews section on the planet. In an average issue, you’ll find over 150 albums reviewed, all from the ever-varied, multi-faceted world of rock - whether it’s hard rock or heavy metal, prog or punk, goth rock or southern rock, we’ve got it covered.

WELCOME

CLASSIC ROCK

24 THINGS WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2024 • As with all years, 2023 had plenty of great, memorable rock moments. With a new year now upon us, here’s what we’re vibed up for that’s coming along in the next 12 months.

RIP

Denny Laine

Shane MacGowan

Myles Goodwyn

Geordie Walker

Plans For Lemmy Statue

Rush Without Peart?

NEWS

Kula Shaker

Hannah Wicklund

BURIED TREASURE

NEWS

TesseracT

Skinny Knowledge

The Doors • Although it was the spark that set the career of the then-struggling Doors alight, Jim Morrison, irked by it not being one of his songs, thought it was throwaway.

Biff Byford • Saxon’s frontman on the new album, the band’s new guitarist, extraterrestrial life and what Saxon’s 2024 looks like.

THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT • It’s been coming for a while, but the final show of the final tour by rock icons Kiss finally arrived. And Classic Rock was there to talk to Gene and Paul about the enormity of it all, wallow in the end-ofan-era atmosphere and, yes, rock and roll all (one final) night.

LOUDERSOUND

BAND ON THE RUN • They may be firm believers in the ‘fake it until you make it’ motto, but Dirty Honey are out there holding their own in the company of Guns N’ Roses, Kiss and more. No fakers here…

BRUCE DICKINSON • A “mouthy little fucker” who got kicked out of boarding school, he went on to front the UK’s most successful heavy metal band, fence for his country, hold a commercial pilot’s licence, release solo albums, write novels and screenplays, and more. A full life? Not half.

HOW THE BEST WAS WON • It was on Thin Lizzy’s third album, Vagabonds Of The Western World, that “you really get to hear Phil the poet”, says drummer Brian Downey. After that record, the boys really were in town.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END • Following its 30th anniversary, we revisit Nirvana’s third and final studio album, In Utero, and the band’s troubled, traumatic final months that surrounded it.

AMERICAN STORY BOOK • With his new album Israel Nash is following in the footsteps of the great songwriters for whom the American heartland is a rich inspiration, who re-told tales passed down generations.

TAYLOR MADE • Andy Taylor is still best known for being Duran Duran’s guitarist, but solo albums, records with The Power Station and production work including Thunder’s debut reflect a real rocker at heart.

The HOT LIST • The essential new rock tracks you need to hear this month and the bands to have on your radar

THE HARD STUFF ALBUMS

ROUND-UP: SLEAZE

THE HARD STUFF ALBUMS

ROUND-UP: MELODIC ROCK By Dave Ling

REISSUES

Jethro Tull

Mott The Hoople

BEST OF THE REST • Other reissues out this month.

Welcome To The Darkness

Peter Gabriel • In a career that has taken him from prog flag carrier to pop superstardom, he has produced music of depth and originality.

British Lion &Tony Moore • Iron Maiden’s bassist and his former Maiden bandmate get look forward to sharing stages again.

Ashley McBryde • If you want to know why this country-rocker is making waves, get to one of her January...