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
CRAZY CRAZY NIGHT! • With the biggest, brightest pyro display since Krakatoa and the Big Bang. Kiss blow 2020 into the stratosphere.
Gerry Marsden • September 24, 1942 – January 3, 2021
Alexi Laiho • Announced January 4, 2021
RIP Thank you and good night.
William ‘Jesus’ Jellett • June 6, 1948 - January 8, 2021
“After Neil died, music didn’t seem important” • Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee pay tribute on the first anniversary of Peart’s death.
W.E.T. • The mostly studio-based supergroup return with a new album, still aiming to keep melodic hard rock alive.
NEWS
Austin Meade • Meet the preacher’s son with rock in his bones and a gift for telling stories that resonate.
BURIED TREASURE • Riches from the rock underground
Transatlantic • The progressive supergroup’s latest LP is so huge they had to name it twice (yes, really). Neal Morse fills us in.
NEWS
NEW ROCK PHOTOGRAPHER 2020 • We asked you to vote for the Affinity Photo New Rock Photographer 2020. Here is your winner.
MY FIRST LOVE • John Mayall THE BLUES ALONE
NEWS
Walter Egan • The West Coast/Americana crossover artist has a new album, based on ex-super-groupie Pamela Des Barres.
Mason Hill • It’s been a long time coming, but these young Scots are ready to rock and conquer.
Accept I’m A Rebel • How the German heavy metallers took a glam-rock-tinged stomper – a long-lost early AC/DC track written by Malcolm and Angus’s brother Alex – and made it their own.
Ricky Warwick • The Black Star Riders frontman on his new solo album, his debt to Thin Lizzy, and Joe Elliott telling him how to sing.
Cats In Space • They embrace the 70s, are wary of the ‘business’, and reckon there are lots of potential fans out there.
LESLIE WEST • Having made his name in the early 70s with Mountain, as a guitarist he was praised by many of his peers, Jeff Beck once describing him as “the greatest living guitarist in the world
THE STARS PAY TRIBUTE
THE GOLD STANDARD • Brian May and Roger Taylor look back at 50 years of Queen: the incredible journey of four young musicians with “an insane confidence and a precocious belief in our own unique talents” who conquered the world
GUARANTEED TO BLOW YOUR MIND • Eleven Queen songs you never hear on the radio but should.
FELL ON BLACK DAYS • From child model and actor to rock frontwoman with The Pretty Reckless, Taylor Momsen’s life followed an upward curve. Then suddenly tragedy struck and it became life-threatening turmoil.
FLOWER POWER • Now bolstered by the songs and shriek of new frontman Glenn Hughes, The Dead Daisies are a supergroup to take seriously. High time, then, to settle the debate over whether this is a ‘real’ band or just a rich man’s plaything.
MICK FLEETWOOD • He arrived in Swinging Sixties London as a dyslexic school leaver and aspirant drummer – and discovered a world of blues, booze, women and global success with Fleetwood Mac. But even after a half-century of making incredible music, perhaps his greatest achievement is keeping the wheels on rock’s greatest soap opera.
BRICK BY BRICK • For years they watched other bands get the breaks while they didn’t, but The Dirty Nil’s one-step-at-a-time climb has finally paid off.
STEVEN WILSON • Look at the world, not at your phone....