Classic Rock

The definitive voice in rock journalism, going behind the scenes to bring the real stories behind rock legends from Led Zeppelin to Metallica, to Marilyn Manson and beyond. Please note: This digital version of the magazine does not currently include the covermount items or content you would find on printed newsstand copies

WELCOME

This month’s contributors

Classic Rock

EDDIE VAN HALEN January 26, 1955 - October 6, 2020 • Classic Rock’s Steven Rosen takes a personal look back at the music, life and times of the late, great guitar hero. The irreplaceable man who was “the Mozart of the guitar”.

THE STARS PAY TRIBUTE

RIP Thank you and good night.

Spencer Davis • July 17, 1939 – October 19, 2020

Is Gig Drought End In Sight? • Promoter suggests Easter return.

New Iron Maiden Album Ahead? • Bruce reveals the band have been writing and been in the studio.

NEWS

Jeff Scott Soto • The genre-hopping veteran vocalist and Sons Of Apollo frontman re-enters the spotlight with a new solo album.

When Rivers Meet • Taking in Delta blues, classic rock giants and a Meat Loaf tribute band, these rivers run deep.

TWENTY SIXTY SIX AND THEN • Riches from the rock underground

NEWS

Kerbdog • Timing is everything. With their albums reissued and a tour planned, maybe it’s the right time for a resurrection.

FLYING HIGH. WELL, NOT TOO HIGH

Saxon 747 (Strangers In The Night) • Inspired by a BBC documentary and Frank Sinatra, Biff Byford wrote lyrics for a song that would soon become one of the band’s biggest hits and greatest anthems: 747 (Strangers In The Night).

Perry Farrell • The Jane’s Addiction main man on his new box set, becoming a quarter of an inch taller, and the power of PG Tips.

LET THERE BE ROCK AGAIN • They’d lost Malcolm. Brian was out. Phil was in trouble with the law. Cliff had retired. Despite a successful tour with Axl Rose, it looked like AC/DC‘s high voltage had been unplugged for good. Not so. Angus Young and Brian Johnson talk exclusively to Classic Rock about the resurrection of the greatest hard rock’n’roll band ever.

From KENTUCKY with LOVE • They’ve rejuvenated southern rock, enjoyed huge successes and crippling disappointment, weathered internal storms and survived. This is the story of Black Stone Cherry. So far

DIARY OF A TEENAGE METALHEAD • Before Rage Against The Machine were rock veterans, before Prophets Of Rage even existed, there was a young Kiss fan building his star from the ground up. Now, as he prepares to publish a career-spanning new book, Whatever It Takes, Tom Morello takes us back to his early years.

WIN A SIGNED ANGUS YOUNG GIBSON SG GUITAR!

“I’M BY NO MEANS NORMAL” • As a teenager she was playing with Santana and Steve Vai. Since then Orianthi has toured with Alice Cooper, befriended rock’s A-list and become one of the industry’s most in-demand guitarists. Now she has a new record.

GULT HEROES • A brilliant line-up, lyrics from a science-fiction author, an homage to Spinal Tap… Welcome to the first new Blue Öyster Cult album in almost 20 years.

TYLER BRYANI'S LOCKDOWN JOURNAL • With 2020 flipped on its head, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown responded to lockdown by making an album at home in Nashville. But how did their livewire, always-busy frontman take to being locked down?

OPEN MIKE • It’s taken them 15 years and a tragic death, but longtime Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers “co-captain” and current Fleetwood Mac guitarist Mike Campbell’s side-project The Dirty Knobs have finally released their debut album.

The HOT LIST

This Or That?

Who Are Hawxx?

And Keep An Ear Out For Joyous Wolf

THE HARD STUFF the ultimate ROCK REVIEWS section

AC/DC...