Classic Rock Issue 238

WELCOME In an old episode of The West Wing, President Bartlet’s Chief Of Staff Leo McGarry states: “There’s two things in the world you never want to let people see how you make ’em: laws and sausages.” Well, I’d like to add magazines to that shortlist. But this month I think it’s only right that I let you into our process. Our original intention was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of 1987 – one of the finest years in rock, the 12 months that gave us Appetite For Destruction, Hysteria, Permanent Vacation and a huge stack more. And then about a week into our production cycle the shocking and tragic news broke about the death of Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell. And then it only seemed right that we rethink our plans…

Gregg Allman December 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017 Classic Rock looks back on the life and legacy of a southern rock legend. Words: Michael Hann INSIDE THE WORLD OF ROCK FOR MORE NEWS: WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM the DIRT ‘His playing was unfussy, economical and exactly what the Allman Brothers Band needed. He sought clarity and emotion of tone.’ Gregg Allman’s life was shaped by death. On Boxing Day 1949, his father, Willis Allman, was murdered near Norfolk, Virginia, where he was stationed with the US Army. The details are unclear; perhaps he was shot by a hitchhiker, perhaps by a drinking buddy (it was the former, Gregg, who had just turned two at the time, said later). And although most accounts say Willis was a captain in the US Aarmy, his…

the DIRT GREGG ALLMAN 1947-2017 A SOUTHERN SONGBOOK Words: Rob Hughes GETTY Whipping Post The Allman Brothers Band, 1969 Initially conceived as a slow blues, Gregg’s existential ballad took on new levels of intensity in the hands of the Allman Brothers, who transformed it into cathartic rock’n’roll on their debut album and, on the live At Fillmore East, a 23-minute epic. ‘Good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’!’ howls Allman. It’s Not My Cross To Bear The Allman Brothers Band, 1969 This early classic was written in LA for Gregg’s aborted solo album, prior to forming the Allman Brothers with elder brother Duane. It’s remarkable to consider that Gregg was only 22 when he delivered it, his anguished vocals imbued with all the sorrow and rage of a much more…

the DIRT RIP Thank you and good night. Bruce ‘The Colonel’ Hampton April 30, 1947 – May 2, 2017 Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes has led the tributes to the US jam band stalwart who died on stage during a concert for his 70th birthday. Born Gustav Berglund, guitarist/singer Hampton played in numerous improvisational groups and helped start the H.O.R.D.E. tours. Barry ‘Frosty’ Smith March 20, 1946 – April 12, 2017 Smith, the drummer of Sweathog, who had the hit Hallelujah in 1971, toured and recorded with Sly & The Family Stone, Funkadelic and more. He died at home in Texas, aged 71, following a long illness after $25,000 had been raised for his medical care via Crowdfunding. Jimmy Copley Dec 29, 1953 – May 13, 2017 London-born Copley has lost…

NEWS As this issue went to press, the coroner responsible for carrying out the autopsy and toxicology report on Chris Cornell revealed that “drugs did not contribute to the cause of death” of the late Soundgarden/ Audioslave frontman who committed suicide in a Detroit hotel room early on May 18. The Rolling Stones have ruled out the possibility of playing in the UK this year because of a lack of available venues due to sporting fixtures. Performances across mainland Europe take place in September and October. “We hope to be here in 2018,” they say. Meanwhile, guitarist Ronnie Wood (pictured) is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing keyhole surgery to remove a lesion from his lung. Voodoo Six release their fourth studio album, Make Way For The King,…

“We’re just too dumb to quit” Cheap Trick’s purple patch set to continue. RICK NIELSEN: KEVIN NIXON; RONNIE WOOD: ROSS HALFIN/PRESS As Cheap Trick prepare to fly in for three-date visit to the UK this month, guitarist Rick Nielsen reveals to Classic Rock that the Chicago band are already preparing what will be their third album in the space of a little over a year and a half. The quartet’s previous two records, Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello and the just-issued We’re All Alright!, came 14 months apart, although before those, fans had waited the better part of a decade since the band’s last release, 2009’s The Latest. Nielsen attributes this new flurry of activity not to some twilight years creative spurt, but to the influence of a record label –…