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

This month’s contributors

Classic Rock

Macca Shares ‘Lost’ Beatles Photos • Exhibition opens in June with his 1960s images. And Beatles-related artworks posted on Castle Fine Arts blog. Macca also shares Jeff Beck collaboration.

Tom Verlaine

RIP

Anthony ‘Top’ Topham

Van Conner

Barrett Strong

Ozzy Retires From Touring

NEWS

Don Powell • The former Slade drummer on being scared of Ginger Baker, stage invaders, and Ozzy madness with Maiden.

Hillbilly Vegas • Say hi to the latest new-to-Britain southern rockers. Just don’t call them the new Skynyrd.

DALTON • Riflessioni Idea D’infinito, 1973, Music Superstereo De Luxe, Italy. £2,500.

NEWS

Delain • After a bitter divorce, the band return with a new album, with several former members returning to the fold.

NEWS

The Hold Steady • Craig Finn on revolution tourists, desperate characters being good for storytelling, and exploitation.

MY FIRST LOVE KISS ALIVE! • The Anthrax guitarist reflects on the lasting impact on him of an iconic live album.

Laura Cox • Say bonjour to the French YouTube starturned-bona fide rock contender.

Jellyfish • How the paisley underground and a classic fairy tale inspired the West Coast quartet’s catchy first single.

Robert Fripp • The King Crimson co-founder on choosing guitar, musical influences, band principles and heartbreaking departures.

Empyre • The new men in black have survived sickly gigs, killed rock giants, made grown men weep…

BRINGING IT ON HOME • Released in 1973, Led Zeppelin’s fifth album was not without controversy. It also split fans, confused by its range of musical styles and wondering where its Whole Lotta Love or Stairway was. But Houses Of The Holy signposted the way forward for a band now operating at their peak.

BACK IN BUSINESS • Once red-hot property, five years ago The Answer found themselves out in the cold, their very existence in question, after their then-latest album failed to catch fire. Now they’re hoping that with new album Sundowners they’ll soon be bathing in the warm glow of success.

DAVID CROSBY • We look back at the life and times of the man who, with The Byrds, CSN, CSN&Y and solo, wrote and recorded some of the unforgettable music that was part of the glittering soundtrack to a golden era.

FIIKART LET'S DANCE • For David Bowie in 1983, art-rock and clown suits were in the past. He wanted to become a bona fide superstar. And he recruited the man nicknamned The Hitmaker to help him achieve that ambition.

NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE • Had Montreux Casino not burned down at the time, there would be no Smoke On The Water, and Machine Head would have been a very different Deep Purple album to the one we know. This is the story of the band’s sixth album, in their own words.

THE HOT LIST • THE ESSENTIAL NEW ROCK TRACKS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS MONTH AND THE BANDS TO HAVE ON YUR RADAR

Måneskin • Not a tribute to Geddy, Alex and Neil.

ROUND-UP: BLUES

The Answer • Return of the Northern Irish blues brothers.

ROUND-UP: MELODIC ROCK

The Long Ryders • Less a comeback, more a continuation of a...