The new issue of Classic Rock is on sale now

The brand new issue of Classic Rock is on sale now with Joe Bonamassa – aka Mr Unstoppable – on the cover.

Plus there’s a sensational free 14-track CD titled Bag Of Bones that’s been compiled by JoBo himself. It features Leslie West, Robert Cray, Steve Lukather, Walter Trout, Gov’t Mule, JJ Grey And Mofro, Danny Bryant and more…

Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you in Classic Rock issue 185, July 2013, in stores (and available electronically) now!

Cover feature – Joe Bonamassa
“To some people I’m the fucking Antichrist!” To others he’s a god. Either way, he can charge £500 a ticket, yet stand outside his own gigs unrecognised. We track the bluesman’s four-venue ‘tour’ of London and find out what makes him tick.

Dio
Comeback king, or intimidating control freak? The story behind the band’s landmark debut album, Holy Diver, suggests that Ronnie James Dio was both.

The Regeneration Game
How brands are replacing bands to perpetuate the music and performances of their forebears. Featuring…
Black Star Riders – Will they ever be able to escape the long reach of Phil Lynott’s legacy?
The Enid – The man who is The Enid is too ill to carry on, but he’s making sure the band will continue without him.
Sons Of Cream – Chips off the old block keeping their dads’ band’s music alive.
Blackfoot – With a new band ‘model’, that has no original members, have they found immortality?
The Musical Box – “We’ve really fought the term ‘tribute band’.” What are these ‘interpreters’ of Genesis’ music, then?

Graham Bond
A Hammond-pounding, drug-abusing occultist who died aged 36, he’s the forgotten man of 60s rock.

Nu Metal: The Last Revolution
They’re often scorned, but Slipknot, Korn, Papa Roach, Deftones and Limp Bizkit are more successful than ever. Along with über-producer Ross Robinson, they chart the rise, fall and resurrection of nu metal.

The Who
Against a background of drink, drugs, fights and financial mismanagement, they made two of their best albums. But it was the Lifehouse project that nearly broke the band.

The Story Behind The Songs – REM
An anti-war commentary disguised as a four-minute pop song, Orange Crush lead the band to global success and stardom.

Q&A – Iggy Pop
“I don’t like punk,” says the Godfather of Punk known more for his insurance ads than for his records.

Buyer’s Guide – Vivian Stanshall
From playing on Blue Peter to releasing poems about his penis, the Bonzo Dog mainman’s eccentricity and creativity knew no bounds.

Heavy Load – Dave Mustaine
The Megadeth mainman on the power of love, being misunderstood and feeding 8,000 children every day.

All this and more in the new issue of Classic Rock, on sale now.



Got an iPad or iPhone? Download our free app to get the digital edition of Classic Rock – plus grab your free awards issue! Simply go here http://goo.gl/z4Yhu (in the UK) or here http://goo.gl/YUnR9 (for the US) to get well and truly digitized.

Buy the print edition from all good newsagents or direct from www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk.

Get the Classic Rock Spotify app for must-hear mag-related playlists. Go to http://open.spotify.com/app/classicrock or find us in App Finder in Spotify.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

35 Years Ago – Aerosmith Release ‘Draw the Line’

Aerosmith were coming off the peak of their success when they went into the studio for ‘Draw the Line.’ In the wake of back-to-back classics ‘Toys in the Attic’ and ‘Rocks,’ the group were positioned to deliver an album that would have cemented their legacy alongside ’70s stalwarts like Led Zeppelin. Instead, they turned in an oddly dispirited album that heralded a dramatic reversal of fortunes in their career.


The group recorded ‘Draw the Line’ in an abandoned convent that they rented out, but they weren’t exactly behaving like saints; egos, drugs and fighting were a regular part of the band’s life by that time, and the members of Aerosmith would later recall the sessions as a turning point when the music began to feel uninspired.

Not that the album was entirely bad by any means. The title track ‘Draw the Line‘ was classic Aerosmith, and has figured prominently in their live set ever since. But much of the album consisted of should-have-been-great-but-not-quite tracks like ‘I Wanna Know Why,’ ‘Get It Up,’ and ‘Sight For Sore Eyes,’ all of which featured important elements of the classic Aerosmith sound, but somehow didn’t quite catch fire.

‘Critical Mass,’ with its bizarre harmonica parts, sounded almost like a band trying to sound like Aerosmith instead of the actual group, while Joe Perry’s punk-y solo offering ‘Bright Light Fright‘ was a somewhat misguided attempt to bend with the times, and ‘The Hand That Feeds‘ was a disjointed noisefest in search of a real song. ‘Kings and Queens‘ was an odd departure for Aerosmith that sounded more like a Queen b-side or even a lost Rush track, which music critic Robert Christgau called “synthesized medieval pomp-rock.”

Even the better tracks were hampered by a flat, one-dimensional audio production that seemed barely professional quality. Rolling Stone destroyed the album in print, saying, “‘Draw the Line’ is a truly horrendous record, chaotic to the point of malfunction and with an almost impenetrably dense sound adding to the confusion.”

Even so, the album was commercially successful upon its release, going platinum and eventually being certified double platinum. But the band were set on a downward course, and during the recording of their next album, ‘Night in the Ruts,’ Perry departed the group, bringing about the end of their classic era. The original lineup would not play together again until 1985, when they reunited for ‘Done With Mirrors.’

source: ultimateclassicrock.com

Signed Orange amp auctioned for Childline

Orange Amps have donated a special Rockverb 50 Mk II amp to Childline to help raise money to support children in distress.

This amp was signed by some of the world’s most famous rock artists attending the Classic Rock awards at the Camden Roundhouse on November 9, 2011, including:

Gene Simmons (Kiss)
Brian May, Roger Taylor (Queen)
Lemmy (Motorhead)
Duff McKagan (Loaded/Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver)
Roy Harper
Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner)
Rudy Schenker (Scorpions)
Steel Panther
Danny Bowes and Luke Morley (Thunder)
Michael Monroe (Hanoi Rocks)
Steve Conte (Michael Monroe band/New York Dolls)
Ian Gillan (Deep Purple)
Biff Byford and Paul Quinn (Saxon)
Lynne Jackaman (Saint Jude)

Go here to bid: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110940091549#ht_939wt_1139

source: classicrockmagazine.com

The new issue of Classic Rock is on sale now

The brand new issue of Classic Rock is the stores now – with not uno, not dos, but tres hombres on the cover. Yes, it’s the return of ZZ Top!

There’s also a sensational free CD, The Best Of The Year So Far, featuring Def Leppard, The Darkness, Joe Bonamassa, Asia, Mark Tremonti and more… including ZZ Top’s sensational new track I Gotsta Get Paid.






Here’s what’s inside Classic Rock‘s August edition:

ZZ Top – Three years in the making and nine years on from their last album, they’re back they’re back with a new record – with Rick Rubin at the helm – and a rocket up their ass.

Riot – They were the Great White Hopes of US rock. But that was before the public ignored them, their label disowned them, and their singer quit. Then things got really bad…

Bruce Springsteen – Bleak tales of murder and despair, recorded in a bedroom and mixed on a beat box. At the wrong speed. Yet his Nebraska album became one of the artistic triumphs of the 80s.

Mark Tremonti – With Alter Bridge and Creed to keep guitarist him busy you’d think he’d have enough on. But now he’s also relishing stepping up to the mic with his solo band.

Peter Green – He was one of the greatest British blues guitarists of his generation. But his journey from troubled East End kid to unwilling superstar went horribly wrong.

Steve Vai – His new album – part of his conceptual Real Illusions trilogy – is nothing if not ambitious. But then Vai is no ordinary guitarist.

Grace Slick – Lover to Morrison. Friend of Joplin. Arrested more times than Lemmy. Took more drugs than Winehouse. “We were rock’n’ rollers, not bankers.”

The Gaslight Anthem – They’re Bruce Springsteen’s favourite new band. And they’re born to run. Is Brian Fallon the new Boss?

Brad – After 20 years they’re finally out from under the wing of the Pearl Jam and being recognised as the real deal. “We feel like we’re only just getting started.”

The Stories Behind The Songs: Asia – Originally it “was in 6/8 time and would have made a very good country song”, it became an evergreen rock staple and the band’s signature hit. That’ll be Heat Of The Moment.

Fly On The Wall: Felix Papparladi is shot dead by his wife – The combination of drugs, guns and an unhinged wife blew the Mountain bassist and ex-Cream producer away. Insiders and eye-witnesses recall the murder trial.

Buyer’s Guide: Kate Bush – A unique and wonderful talent who has always existed apart from the norm, nobody else makes music quite like Kate Bush.

Heavy Load: Jon Anderson – The ex-Yes vocalist on prog, God, good drugs and bad times.

All this and more in issue No.174 of Classic Rock, on sale now.

…And don’t forget You can get the new interactive Classic Rock on your iPad and iPhone here: http://goo.gl/z4Yhu (in the UK) or here http://goo.gl/YUnR9 (for the US).

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Pink Floyd Was Instrumental In The Development Of Rock-n-Roll by Braden Aalders

One of the greatest bands in the history of modern music is Pink Floyd. Their unique sound and approach to music making has made them a living legend and has permanently marked their members as some of the most ingenious instrumentalists of all time.

Many bands have emulated the unique sound of Pink Floyd but few have actually attempted to cover any of their songs. Their sound is so distinctive that it is impossible to satisfactorily reproduce.

Sid Barrett

Originally called Tea Set, Sid Barrett initiated Pink Floyd's climb to fame. The band initially consisted of Sid Barrett on vocals and guitar, Roger Waters on bass, Bob Klose on guitar, Nick Mason on drums and wind instrument player Rick Wright.

The band's name was a spontaneous decision. They were playing an event at which there was another band named Tea Set. They quickly thought to combine the names of two successful blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, calling them The Pink Floyd Sound. It was not long until they shortened their name to its now unforgettable version.

Their rise to fame was a pretty standard one for most 1960's rock bands. With songs being written primarily by the band's vocalist, Sid Barrett, the band easily scored gigs at some of London's more prominent nightclubs.

In 1966 they were asked to contribute music to the soundtrack for the movie, "Tonite Let's Make Love in London". Their popularity as an underground band was steadily growing and by the time they released their debut album in 1967 they already had a substantial fan base in England.

Most critics consider "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" one of the greatest debut albums in history. Their popularity grew tremendously as they released their album in the United States and toured with Jimi Hendrix in the late 60's.

The stress of fame and his almost obsessive use of psychedelic drugs, quickly overwhelmed Sid Barrett. By January of 1968, the band added David Gilmour to the band to help with the responsibilities that Barrett's progressive breakdown was making it difficult for him to do.

The band made every attempt to maintain this arrangement but by April of the same year it was obvious that Barrett had deteriorated to the point that the rest of the band decided that it was not working.

Barrett went on to produce two moderately successful albums before he went into seclusion for the last 35 years of his life. At the age of 60, Sid Barrett passed away in 2006.

Roger Waters

With the loss of Sid Barrett, Pink Floyd was facing an internal crisis. He had always been the primary songwriter and vocalist. In the absence of clear leadership, the band began writing communal pieces, with each member contributing something.

This writing style was segmented and not well received especially well by critics, but it still allowed the group to perform well in sales. Their successive album was a collection of experimental works of the individuals compiled into a single album. "Meddle" is the first glimpse Pink Floyd gives the public of their trademark style and thematic records.

As the bands writing and recording progressed, Roger Waters gradually became the primary writer of the group. By the time they release "Dark Side of the Moon" in 1973, Waters had become the driving force behind Pink Floyd, despite the collaborative efforts of the band on most projects.

"Dark Side of the Moon" marked the beginning of three epic albums whose success is still unrivaled.

In 1975, the band released their musical farewell to Sid Barrett in what is arguably the greatest album ever made. "Wish You Were Here" centers around the theme of absence and loneliness.

"The Wall" was released in 1979 and was dominated by Water's writings. His fascination with WWII and the themes of loneliness and isolation that provide this album made it an instant success, catapulting them back to the top of the charts.

This period marked the greatest success for Pink Floyd. Their epically themed albums are amongst the highest earning records in history.

David Gilmour

In December of 1985, Roger Waters announced that he was leaving Pink Floyd, stating that the band had used up its creativity. He expected that to be the end of the band. When it wasn't, a bitter legal battle developed over the use of the name.

The suit was eventually settled out of court, and Gilmour and Mason retained the right to use the name "Pink Floyd" as a result.

David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and ultimately Richard Wright continued to write and record albums under the name Pink Floyd. Together they released "A Momentary Lapse of Reason".

While it was not their most successful album, "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" was their greatest. Many critics consider Momentary Lapse to be more of a solo project by Gilmour than a group effort.

The bands next two albums, "Delicate Sound of Thunder" and "The Division Bell", contained significantly more group contributions than their first. They also helped to reestablish Pink Floyd's reputation in the absence of Roger Waters.

Final Act

While the members of Pink Floyd have sporadically reunited to perform, they are commonly considered to be a thing of the past. However, their legion of followers is still a very real, ever-present entity.

A true Pink Floyd fan can argue with endless intensity about the superiority of Pink Floyd to all other bands in music history. The less devoted can at least acknowledge the intense impact that Pink Floyd had on the development of music, specifically Rock and Roll.



Braden Aalders was a child in the seventies, but he still loves his parents' music. Classic Rock Central features the classic rock artists and rock bands that classic rock fans consider to be essential listening. Listen to mp3s of interviews or music, or shop for CD's, books, and more at: http://www.classicrockcentral.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Classic Rock History - What is Classic Rock?

Classic rock - the definition defies most, and yet, everyone knows a classic rock song when they hear one. What makes it classic exactly? Well, for starters, it should be an older song. Nineties rock tunes do not qualify. Generally, 70's, maybe a few 80's and 60's can qualify for the esteemed title of "classic rock."

Generally, classic rock history begins with artists that still occupy radio time today, most of whom still generate huge crowds and pack large venues. The Who, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane - all of these artists are included in the classic rock genre. But does every song ever recorded by them qualify? No. Just the ones we remember, in our heads and in our hearts.

Classic Rock History - Come on Baby Light My Fire

The Doors with Jim Morrison leading the pack came onto the scene in the late 60's, featuring dark themes (Riders on the Storm for one) along with cryptic song lyrics. Cementing them into the roots of rock and roll history was Jim Morrison's untimely death.

Revolver, the Beatles' thirteenth album released in America. A turning point for The Beatles because it represented styles from their original, earlier works as well as experimental stylings for their latter works. Revolver is often hailed as one of the best albums in classic rock history.

The Rolling Stones, with Mick Jagger still in the mix today, has given the world a bevy of classic rock songs. The album, Sticky Fingers, in particular, was released at a time when the band was experimenting and still struggling to sculpt its identity.

Who Are You?

It's hard to turn on the television set these days without hearing one or two classic rock songs. Whether they are starting a television series or used for a commercial, advertisers know that nostalgia sells, especially for the middle-aged demographic. The Who has released a number of (now) classic rock songs and one of them starts the program CSI, making it even more popular than ever.

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd, those crazy Englishmen, have sold millions of albums world-wide. But what puts them at the top of the heap of classic rock history? Longevity. That's what all of these bands and their songs that have stuck with us to modern day have in common. These songs are timeless. The album Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd may not have been their most popular album, but it does delve into some sticky mental issues that founding member Syd Barrett was having at the time.

Led Zeppelin - Enough Said

Led Zeppelin produced perhaps, the most agreed upon classic rock song ever: Stairway to Heaven. This song is comprised of several different and distinct "sections" that give a living, breathing feel to the music. This song is probably the single most requested song on American airwaves today. Composed by Jimmy Page with vocals executed by Robert Plant, this song is the anchor of all classic rock songs.

Classic rock is a genre well known and loved by people in their teens all the way into their later years. In it, we find comfort and excitement, a nostalgia that is timeless and one we firmly believe will never be duplicated.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about classic rock history [http://oldiesmusicsite.info/classic-rock-history-what-is-classic-rock], please visit Oldies Music Site [http://oldiesmusicsite.info] for current articles and discussions.

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