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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This month’s contributors

Classic Rock

CLEM BURKE November 24, 1954 – April 6, 2025 • “Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” wrote Debbie Harry and Chris Stein on the passing of their “beloved friend and bandmate” following a private battle with cancer.

Roy Thomas Baker • November 10, 1946 – April 12, 2025

RIP • Thank you… and good night.

Les Binks • August 8, 1951 – March 15, 2025

David Thomas • June 14, 1953 – April 23, 2025

New LPs From Alice And Faces • Different firsts since 1973.

Bad Co. For Hall Of Fame • Soundgarden, White Stripes and Joe Cocker also in.

The Dead Daisies • More flower power on the way, with the band looking to some blues greats for their new album of covers.

NEWS

Shuyler Jansen • Meet the Neil Young-influenced Canadian looking to spread his success outside Canada.

New Box Set From The Boss • Eighty-two mostly unheard tracks from Springsteen.

Black News For Blackmore • Doctors order Ritchie to avoid flying.

Stan Lynch • Tom Petty’s Heatbreakers’ drummer is back behind the kit for an album from his new Americana collective.

Ally Venable • Meet the young blueser who’s gone from being bullied at school to playing with Buddy Guy.

The Stranglers Peaches • Driven by a gritty, hooky bass riff and infamous with its charges of misogyny, it was a UK Top 10. Almost 50 years on, it’s still a must-play by today’s Stranglers.

John Lydon • The PiL frontman and former Sex Pistol on losing loved ones, living near the California fires, spoken-word gigs, underpants…

When Rivers Meet • Lockdown helped them build a fan base, Aaron aspires to the silver screen, communication is key, one of their albums was a chart first…

WHERE’S IZZY? • CR presents the third in an exclusive series from Alan Niven’s forthcoming book Sound N’ Fury.

THE LAST HURRAH • On July 5, 2025, the original four members of Black Sabbath reunite to play the very last Sabbath show, in their home city. After that there will be no more comebacks, no more tours, no more ‘final’ shows. Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill look back at their incredible time together.

“IS THIS OZZY’S LAST SHOW? ONE THOUSAND PER CENT” • Sharon Osbourne on the Back To The Beginning show.

SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD • Out of the darkness comes light, and Ghost’s future increasingly looks bright. Tobias Forge, aka Papa V Perpetua, talks dark matters and working towards “newer, better, bigger”.

LONG TRAIN STILL RUNNIN' • With vocalist Michael McDonald on board again and a new album, more than 50 years down the tracks The Doobie Brothers have still got what it takes. They tell us to just listen to the music…

FAGEN’S YACHT ROCK “SET-UP” • McDonald explains F-word documentary storm.

LEAP OF FAITH • Reeling from illness and uncertain times, Skunk Anansie’s future hung in the balance. But with new album The Painful Truth, they “stood on top of the cliff, held hands and jumped into the clouds”.

RELOADED • With a two-guitar line-up instead of the usual trio, and on their own label after the split from Bronze, the Orgasmatron album signalled a decibel-driven new start for...