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

25 THINGS WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2025 • With a new year now upon us, here’s what we’re chomping at the bit for that’s coming along in the next 12 months.

RIP • Thank you… and good night.

Shel Talmy • August 11, 1937 – November 13, 2024

Pete Sinfield • December 27, 1943 – November 14, 2024

Mike Pinera • September 29, 1948 – November 20, 2024

Jeff Beck’s Guitars Up For Auction • “They needed to be shared, played and loved again.”

Lemmy Visits Stringfellows – For Good • Motörhead leader’s ashes to be stored at strip club.

NEWS

Night Flight Orchestra • On paper their mixture of genres shouldn’t work, but on record and live it’s like living in a movie.

Lions In The Street • A debut album that’s like the Stones at their peak? There’s satisfaction to be got from that.

Hagar Holds Out Olive Branch To Alex Van Halen • “I just want to be friends again,” says Sammy.

Grammys 2025 Nominees • Metallica, Judas Priest, Pearl Jam and Idles on the lists.

Benjamin Booker • He’s back with a compelling, experimental new album, and enjoying pulling the strings on his own label.

Stephen Wilson Jr • Inspired by his late father, the songwriter-for-hire is now telling his stories with his own voice.

Styx Come Sail Away • A song about being picked up and taken away by aliens, it gave the band a career boost and eventually took on a life of its own.

Joe Satriani • The virtuoso’s virtuoso on G3 pranking, handling Yngwie Malmsteen, and the Halloween costume he’d rather forget.

A FAREWELL TO KINGS? Maybe Not… • Celebrating half a century since their debut, we sat down with Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson at the end of 2024 to speak about their 50 year journey from there to here – and what might come next for the Canadian prog rock legends..

WHEN THE MUSIC’S OVER • The death of talismanic frontman Jim Morrison in 1971 looked like it marked the end of the road for The Doors. But his bandmates had other ideas. This is the story of the band’s strange afterlife.

ON HALLOW GROUND • What links the Queen Of Soul, the birth of the Allman Brothers Band, and the new album from retro-rock flag bearers DeWolff? The answer lies in two legendary recording studios down south in the Alabama swamp.

THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE SCI-FI, FANTASY & HORROR MAGAZINE

SWEET TALKIN’ • One of the best-loved bands of the glam era, Sweet, more than most, splashed colour and fun over the 70s pop world. Guitarist Andy Scott, keeper of the flame, looks back at good times and bad, and hints that it’s not over for the Ballroom Blitzers yet.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK TREMONTI • Take care of business. Quit your comfort zone. Don’t listen to rock journalists. And never forget you could still be washing cars. Life advice from The Book Of Tremonti.

SYMPHONY FOR THE DEVIL • With Metallica’s S&M reaching the grand old age of 25, we look back at how, and why, the world’s leading metal band teamed up with – shock, horror – an orchestra. True, but not sad.

NEW ISSUE ON SALE NOW • THE BIGGEST BANDS. THE HEAVIEST MUSIC. WORLD-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS.

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