VINTAGE ROCK celebrates a time when music changed the world - 45s, youth culture and the odd thrusting pelvis. Vintage Rock chronicles all the stellar artists and music, the enduring legacy of those early pioneers - and why it’s still the best way to live. Spanning the dawn of the 50s to early Beatles (pre Eastern mysticism!), Vintage Rock covers a time of Mods and Rockers, crinoline skirts and blue jeans, rock star movies and screaming-girl concerts. This special magazine rejoices in the music and verve of Elvis, The Shadows, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent and a host more, and speaks to a contemporary audience that relishes the vitality and flair of the era.
mike mccartney’s early liverpool
Vintage Rock
WELCOME…
Star-studded Brian Wilson doc to feature unheard demos
Piller returns to the roots of Mod
WILDE TIMES AHEAD ON MARTY’S UK TOUR
Howlin’ Ric And The Rocketeers • As Leeds’ finest prepare to unleash their second shot of rockin’ R&B, Howlin’ Ric spills the beans on taking the plunge as a songwriter – and getting revenge through his lyrics
WANDA YOUNG (1943-2021)
Elvis releases get a stereo revamp
BRITISH MOD SOUNDS OF THE 1960s
Lifting the lid on British rockabilly movement
EVENTS • *All listings subject to COVID restrictions and cancellations
BABY THIS IS Rock’n’Roll • VR’s new columnist, Matchbox’s Graham Fenton, takes us right back to the start, experiencing his first new music as a youngster in West London
Little Dave • Recorded at Sun Studios, Little Dave’s first EP promises a high voltage mix of rockabilly, blues and a dash of Carl Perkins
The Big Bang of UK Rock’n’Roll • In February 1957, Bill Haley And His Comets began the most successful, groundbreaking rock’n’roll tour the UK had ever seen. Now 65 years on, we look back at this grand undertaking that seized the imagination of the nation’s youth and inspired a future generation of British rock musicians…
Classie album • ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS
ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK • BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS
COWBOY JIVE
COUNTRY BILL
SUN: YEAR ONE • Sun Records was the launchpad for Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and rock’n’roll itself. Seventy years after Sam Phillips set up shop, we take a look at its first 12 months of operation, before Elvis came along.
THE FIRST FIVE SINGLES ON SUN
BEAR CAT MAN
A STAR IS BORN • In this extract from his new book, The Sonic Swagger Of Elvis Presley, Gary Parker looks at a seismic moment in the history of rock’n’roll, when a young singer unleashed That’s All Right to an unsuspecting Sam Phillips
Green Bullfrog GREEN BULLFROG • Deep Purple alumni join the UK’s best studio session men to blast out rock’n’roll covers – and silly pseudonyms shield their identity
By Royal Appointment • Queen of Nashville’s Royal Family, Lydia Brittan left Christian music to chase her dreams, spurred on by tragedy and driven to spread the gospel of the transformative power of music
On Hallowed Ground
2022 OF THE YEAR AHEAD • Aside from a few much-needed gigs here and there at present, things still remain a little quiet on the rockin’ scene. 2022, we pray, will be a different animal. And so, the new year’s about making up for lost time and filling up your calendar – and record collections – to the brim with as much rock’n’roll as is humanly possible…
FIVE TO WATCH IN 2022
UP AND COMING • NEW RELEASES FOR 2022
TOP TEN • The King grabs a No.1 with a brand new entry
Steve Aynsley • Gene Vincent, seminal first-generation rocker, would have been 87 this year. We talk to one of his most loyal fans…
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