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

BRIXTON CALLING • New play tells the story of the entrepreneur who bought Brixton Academy for a quid.

SLY STONE • March 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025

TAKING YOU HIGHER • STARS PAY TRIBUTE

Colin Jerwood

Honest John Plain • April 12, 1952 – June 13, 2025

RIP • Thank you… and good night.

James Lowe • March 5, 1943 – May 22, 2025

James Prime • November 3, 1960 – June 19, 2025

No Sleep Til… Kilmister Halls! • Lemmy could have a music venue named after him.

Vivian Campbell Is Cancer-Free • “I’ll buy my donor a beer or three,” Leppard guitarist says.

NEWS

Brent Cobb • For his new album the American country music veteran looked back to his youth and decided was time to rock.

California Irish • The Answer’s frontman on his new band inspired by 1960s folk/country rock.

“Roger will sack me next!” • Townshend weighs in on Zak Starkey’s Who dismissal.

Bon Jovi Return To The Stage • Band play live again following JBJ’s vocal cord surgery.

NEWS

Willie Nile • After four years, the New Yorker’s new album was worth the wait. He also has a documentary on the way…

Young Gun Silver Fox • Don’t call it yacht rock – there’s no cheesy parody here, just accomplished songcraft.

BRIAN WILSON • As the visionary heart and soul of the Beach Boys, he created a mythic California soundtrack of sun-drenched, youthful innocence, and some timeless classics, all while battling personal demons, addiction and mental illness.

GOOD VIBRATIONS • STARS PAY TRIBUTE

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) • Written as a dig at the band members who quit because Harley wanted to do all the writing himself, it became a timeless hit.

Volbeat • Singer/guitarist Michael Poulsen on life, death, loss, evil, spirituality, choosing music over boxing, the new album, goats…

THE WORKING MAN • The Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman’s saga is one of American rock’s most complex: a story of working-class poetry, bitter betrayal, legal warfare, and long-delayed redemption. Now at peace with his past and driven by a renewed purpose, John Fogerty’s story is not over yet…

FIGHTING TALK • Whipping boys of the UK music press in the 90s, Bush know what an uphill battle feels like. Today they’re still fighting, but instead of battling the detractors, they’re prioritising improvement.

THE REAL McCOY • Rick Derringer, famous for 60s classic Hang On Sloopy and Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo, died in May. Late last year he granted our sister title Guitar Player a rare and exclusive interview, in which he recalled inspiring Eddie Van Halen, being in a band with Johnny Winter, and much more.

STRANGE MAGIC • John Lennon called them “sons of The Beatles”. Axl Rose said there was nothing like them. But how did a trio of Brummies create the progressive orchestral pop rock band who eventually became a global phenomenon following 1975’s breakthrough album Face The Music?

CUTTING HEADS • Friends for two decades, blues giants Joe Bonamassa and Joanne Shaw Taylor invited Classic Rock to join them and press ‘Record’ as they put the world to rights – from AI and...