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.

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Classic Rock

BONNIE TYLER • We look back at the life and music of the much-loved Welsh singer with the instantly recognisable raspy voice, best known for her powerful ballad Total Eclipse Of The Heart.

RIP • Thank you… and good night.

Clive Davis • April 4, 1932 – June 22, 2026

NEWS

David Clayton-Thomas • September 13, 1941 – June 24, 2026

Roger Taylor Open To More From Queen • “It’s more down to Brian than me,” says the drummer.

Now That’s What You Call A Rider! • William Shatner issues bizarre demands for Chicago gig.

Vardis • Reunited since 2014, the NWOBHM forerunners are back with a retrospective LP that parties like it’s 1979.

Alyssa Bonagura • Meet the southern storyteller who’s driven by rock’n’roll and rootsy country.

Justin Hawkins Hits Solo Trail • Darkness frontman’s album due some time in 2027.

Celebrity Can Damage You, Says Jagger • Sir Mick says being successful is “obviously not normal”.

Gloria Mundi • Bowie-influenced, inspiring Ultravox! and managed by Rod Smallwood: meet punk’s best-kept secret.

The Meffs • Road warriors with A-list supports in the bag, this Essex punk duo mean serious business.

Bruce Hornsby And The Range The Way It Is • How a song about deep-seated racism in the south became an unlikely No.1. And as its writer tells Classic Rock, “sadly the song still retains a bittersweet topical quality”.

THE FINAL BRICK • Pink Floyd’s highly ambitious 1980/81 tour for The Wall redefined rock shows. But, plagued by power grabs, bad blood, sackings and bitter dysfunction, it was also the tour that tore the band apart. It would take 24 years for Waters, Gilmour, Wright and Mason to share a stage again.

THE GRAPE ESCAPE • To celebrate their new album, we joined Aussie hard rockers Airbourne – who know their shit about wine – in Spain to uncork a few bottles and shoot the rock’n’roll breeze. Salud!

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE • When Faster Pussycat hit the Sunset Strip in the mid-80s, tails up and cocky as hell, hair-metal superstardom beckoned. Just six years later, their label pulled the plug – and the band collapsed.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BLACKIE LAWLESS • Challenge yourself, not others. Drugs are not for him. First impressions matter. The window on rock’n’roll is closing. These are a few things he’s learned while travelling life’s highway…

UNDER PRESSURE • In the mid-80s, Aerosmith were in desperate need of a big album. First came Permanent Vacation, then in ‘89 Pump raised the hard rock bar. In this archive interview the band look back over two decades of chaos, heavy addiction and their triumphant sober comeback.

APPICE OF THE ACTION • He’s played with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, BBA, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart and Blue Murder – and co-wrote one of the biggest disco-rock hits in history. Welcome to the wild career of master drummer Carmine Appice.

EVER MEET LEMMY? • He partied with Ozzy, got a bollocking from Sharon, shot up with Nick Cave, choked on Cypress Hill’s weed smoke, was tasked with Lemmy’s backstage rider… He is sideman to the gods Billy Morrison, and these are some of his stories…

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