Classic Rock Issue 241

Welcome It sounds like it could be the start of a very odd joke: what do you get when the world’s hottest contemporary blues guitar slinger, The Voice Of Rock(TM), the son of Led Zep’s drummer and the former keyboard player with one of progressive metal’s biggest bands get together? But it’s no joke. That exact scenario played out in 2009 when Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian formed Black Country Communion – and a new, bona fide classic rock supergroup was born. Everything was great – killer riffs, big songs, three great albums, fantastic live shows, the Breakthrough Award at the 2011 Classic Rock Roll Of Honour. But then, as these things often do, everything fell apart, seemingly in a whole load of acrimony. Until now.…

This month’s contributors JOE BOSSO Joe (who talked to BCC for us this month) grew up idolising rock stars, and over the years he’s interviewed most of his heroes – not too shabby for a guy whose eighth-grade English teacher once said to him: “I hope you don’t plan on writing for a living.” Joe lives in New Jersey with his wife and family and an adorable Bichon Frise called Harry. CHRIS ROBERTS This issue Chris Roberts talks to Tony Visconti about the T.Rex albums Tanx and The Slider, which he first bought off a lad in his school playground (Roberts, that is, not Visconti). Since then he’s jammed on a cover of The Slider with members of Pixies and published 14 books, the latest of which, a Beyonce biography,…

Glen Campbell April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017 GETTY FOR MORE NEWS: WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE INSIDE THE WORLD OF ROCK In 1964, Capitol Records released The Astounding 12-String Guitar Of Glen Campbell, an album of slick instrumental folk featuring covers of Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ In The Wind and Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land. In the sleeve notes, disc jockey Hugh Cherry – the man who later introduced Johnny Cash on stage at his legendary Folsom Prison shows – makes a prediction: “Glen Campbell has recently gained great fame as an instrumentalist,” he says, “but it is the opinion of this writer that Glen will ultimately gain equal fame and acceptance as a vocalist of rare interpretive ability. He can provide a lyric with humour or pathos, warmth and sincerity.”…

The Stars pay Tribute I’m very broken up to hear about my friend Glen Campbell. He was an incredible musician and an even better person. I’m at a loss. Love & Mercy. Brian Wilson God bless and peace and love to Glen Campbell. Thanks for the music. The real rhinestone cowboy and love to all his family. Ringo Starr As well as your incredible musical abilities you were one of the most down to earth people I have ever known. RIP. Peter Frampton So sad to hear of Glen Campbell passing. A stellar session player, singer and performer. I loved his Jimmy Webb songs. Paul Stanley Huge loss in the world of music today. Rest In Peace. Sheryl Crow Glen was one of the premier guitar players in rock and…

RIP Thank you and good night. Felix Flanagan December 8, 1947 – August 4, 2017 Walter Trout has paid tribute to veteran harmonica player Felix Flanagan, calling him “a crazy, brilliant man”. Iowa-born Flanagan played with blues greats such as Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, JD Nicholson, Deacon Jones and Southside Slim. “You were one of a kind. I love you,” Trout added of the 69-year-old. Sonny Burgess May 28, 1929 – August 18, 2017 Born in Newport, Arkansas, Albert Austin ‘Sonny’ Burgess was a rockabilly guitarist and singer. His vinyl debut came on the song We Wanna Boogie with The Pacers in 1956. Burgess died in a hospital in Arkansas having suffered a fall at his home. He was 88 years old. Kenny Kanowski Died August 6, 2017 Guitarist, singer and…

Hysteria live next year! Phil Collen reveals Def Leppard’s plans for 2018. DEF LEPPARD GUITARIST Phil Collen has let slip that the band are planning a series of shows to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of their classic album. Collen revealed the news while appearing as a guest on Jonesy’s Jukebox, the radio show of former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. Asked whether Leppard were considering the possibility of performing Hysteria in its entirety, he said: “We are. I know it’ll be next year we’re gonna go on tour. We’re getting some offers to play the whole album all the way through. So we’ll be doing that.” A few days earlier, at a fan gathering, singer Joe Elliott was more circumspect when the same question came up. “Watch this space,” he…