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

TERRY REID THE LAST INTERVIEW • Watching Woodstock with Joni Mitchell, making Donovan’s song his own, being pals with Aretha Franklin, turning down Led Zeppelin, making wonderful solo albums… the British singer/guitarist had quite the life.

SEED OF MEMORY • STARS PAY TRIBUTE

RIP • Thank you… and good night.

John ‘Poli’ Palmer • May 26, 1943 – July 21, 2025

George Kooymans • March 11, 1948 – July 22, 2025

Bobby Whitlock • March 18, 1948 – August 10, 2025

Paul Mario Day • April 19, 1956 – July 29, 2025

“He held out to do it” • Tony Iommi talks about Ozzy’s swan song.

NEWS

38 Special • Too big at home in the US to return to the UK during the past 40 years, but a new album might bring them back.

Castle Rat • Big Apple doomsters mixing Sabbath riffs, Kiss theatricality and D&D world-building.

Louder Than Everything Else • New punk tribute album coming for Motörhead.

Megadeth To Split In 2026 • “Don’t be mad or sad, be happy,” says Dave Mustaine.

NEWS

The Hives • The Swedes on making their Back In Black, royal waves and keeping their legacy alive through cover bands.

Zig Zags • The LA sleaze merchants with Iggy connections return with a head-crunching new album.

Grand Funk Railroad We’re An American Band • At the time drummer Don Brewer wrote it, he thought it was “just another song”. But as well as becoming a huge hit, the song also led to Grand Funk’s disintegration.

Luke Morley • The Thunder guitarist on the band’s future, his solo career and new album, playing with the Quireboys, songwriting…

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO LEMMY • As the undisputed leader of Motörhead, Ian Fraser Kilmister led an extraordinary life. In this candid interview from 2002, he explained what he learned… about women and men, drugs, violence, religion, rock’n’roll, and cooking the perfect dinner for one.

THE FIRST DRUMMER • In 1975, behind the kit was Lucas Fox, who bonded with Lemmy over Monty Python and MC5, speed and Special Brew.

THE FILMMAKER • Wes Orshoski directed the 2010 official Lemmy documentary, and discovered a legend in the process.

EDDIE’S WIFE • Mariko Fujiwara saw the hard-living guitarist in a very different light.

THE MANAGER • Former Hawkwind and Motörhead manager Doug Smith was instrumental in the rise of the band, even changing their name from Bastard.

THE BIOGRAPHER • Classic Rock writer, former Zigzag editor and Motörhead biographer Kris Needs was also Lemmy’s neighbour in London’s Notting Hill, as he recalls here.

THE LABEL GUY • Ted Carroll - Rock On and Chiswick Records supremo, former market-stall guy, Motörhead rescuer No.1.

LEMMY’S PERSONAL ASSISTANT • Dan Hawcroft was Lemmy’s PA, road manager to Motörhead, all-round good mate and “designated driver” in the band’s latter days.

THE ROADIE • Motörhead crew stalwart and former housemate Johnnie Allan talks folk heroes, Page Three models and tuna sandwiches.

THE QUIREBOY • Quireboys bassist Nigel Mogg, an old Lemmy pal, reflects on the man he sees as “the king of rock stars” who could also be “incredibly...