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

RECORD STORE DAY IS ALMOST HERE! • David Bowie, Status Quo and Mötley Crüe among this year’s exclusive goodies.

RECORD STORE DAY UK • Here are just a few of the records on offer this year.

Neil Sedaka • March 13, 1939 – February 27, 2026

Chuck Negron • June 8, 1942 – February 2, 2026

Fred Smith • April 10, 1948 – February 5, 2026

RIP • Thank you… and good night.

Billy Steinberg • February 26, 1950 – February 16, 2026

John Hammond • November 13, 1942 – February 28, 2026

Brad Arnold • September 27, 1978 – February 7, 2026

Mike Vernon • November 20, 1944 – March 2, 2026

Maiden For Hall Of Fame? • Plus their imminent film, and Knebworth two-day ‘Eddfest’.

NEWS

Exodus • The American thrashers return, but the new album isn’t retro thrash – it’s spiced with a bit of “southern stank”.

Soho Dukes • Hats off to a band with a questionable past and a quest to bring some fun back to rock’n’roll.

Twisted Sister Are Bach! • Sebastian to join the band for some autumn dates.

Perry Nixes Journey Reunion Speculation • “These rumours are simply not true,” says former singer.

NEWS

Corrosion Of Conformity • Stoner-metal icons get back in the groove.

Ty Freeman • Getting hooked on music from first hearing Plant and Mercury ain’t a bad place to start.

Jeff Wayne featuring Justin Hayward Forever Autumn • A decade in the making and evolving through different versions, the classic ballad featuring the Moody Blues singer was a standout on Wayne’s epic prog sci-fi album The War Of The Worlds.

Chris Difford • Squeeze’s guitarist/singer on the band’s great ‘lost’ album, the dicey nightclub that inspired it, his lyrics…

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE AGAIN • The death of their drummer/lyricist Neil Peart in 2020 looked to signal the end of Rush. But after a lot of soul-searching, and the pull of playing those songs on stage resurfaced, they are to tour again. In our exclusive interview, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson explain how, and why, it happened.

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE • Filling the shoes of a much-loved musician is a daunting task for any artist. Anika Nilles talks about stepping into the glare of the Rush spotlight, and her life growing up with music.

NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS • With their unique blend of multi-genre music, theatrical presentation, social-awareness advocacy and audience affection, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band didn’t shift as many records as they deserved to, but it was as a live band that they really excited and excelled.

MURDER ON THE DANCE FLOOR • The misunderstood Tom Jones cover that became the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s biggest hit single.

THE JOURNEYMAN • He’s sung on scores of albums by dozens of artists, and has always been a man on the move. But “‘Journeyman’ is not an insult”, Jeff Scott Soto says, “it’s a badge of honour for me.”

Skindred

CHECKOUT • WHAT SKINDRED SPENT CLASSIC ROCK’S £50 ON.

AMERICA CALLING • It’s early ’79, punk is building, and The Clash arrive in the US to play their first shows there. Sylvie Simmons was on the road with...