Classic Rock March 2021

WELCOME As milestones go, half a century is a bloody good one. And it’s one that Queen were all set to celebrate in fine style in 2020. And then, y’know, 2020 happened. But as a very wise man once sang: ‘The show must go on.’ So this issue we finally get to celebrate the glory and the majesty of the first 50 years of Queen by sitting down with the inimitable Dr Brian May and Roger Taylor for an in-depth conversation to reflect on their incredible story so far. And while I don’t really want to dwell on the fact that we’re all back under lockdown in early 2021 (yeah, yeah, we know), it does seem like an opportune time to give a reminder that you can get Classic Rock…

This month’s contributors JERRY EWING Launch editor Jerry Ewing has been involved with Classic Rock for so long he remembers the days when it was inscribed on tablets of stone. He grew up in Sydney, where aged nine he fell in love with AC/DC, and he still hasn’t grown out of donning a schoolboy outfit and guitar. This issue he explores the story of Bon Scott’s pre-’DC band Fraternity (p72). DAVE EVERLEY This is ‘Diamond’ Dave Everley’s second Classic Rock cover story on the bounce. Last issue he cosied up with the Foo Fighters, and no sooner had the ink dried on that one than we dispatched him (well, got him on Zoom calls) with rock’n’roll giants Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen to talk about the first half-century…

FOR MORE NEWS: WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM INSIDE THE WORLD OF ROCK the DIRT CRAZY CRAZY NIGHT! With the biggest, brightest pyro display since Krakatoa and the Big Bang. Kiss blow 2020 into the stratosphere. Photos: Ross Halfin Kiss said goodbye to 2020 with an explosive socially distanced New Year’s Eve performance that broke Guinness world records for highest flame projection in a music concert (35 metres) and for most flame projections launched simultaneously (73). The eye-popping, ear-busting event, with ticket prices ranging from $39.99 to a $999 VIP package, took place at the Royal Beach hotel complex at Atlantis in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Kiss Bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons later revealed to the Oakland Free Press that the band had been told: “You can do anything you want here, no restrictions.” “And we said:…

the DIRT RIP Thank you and good night. Steve Brown Died January 2, 2021 English record producer Steve Brown has died aged 65 following an illness related to a fall in December. Brown worked with The Cult, Manic Street Preachers, Freddie Mercury, The Alarm, The Godfathers and Balaam And The Angel, among others. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary producer Steve Brown,” The Cult said in a posting on social media. Marsha Zazula April 21, 1952 - January 10, 2021 Anthrax have paid tribute to Marsha Zazula, who along with her husband Johnny Z formed Megaforce Records, home to several influential metal acts including Metallica, Raven and King’s X. A statement from Anthrax said: “The Zazulas were responsible for changing all our lives. It’s hard…

Gerry Marsden September 24, 1942 – January 3, 2021 GERRY MARSDEN, WHO shot to fame in the early 1960s as the singer with Gerry And The Pacemakers, has died at the age of 78 following a short illness. Liverpool-born Marsden was best known for the hit singles the group released in the early 1960s, when they became the first band to reach the top of the UK singles chart with each of their first three releases: How Do You Do It?, I Like It and the evergreen You’ll Never Walk Alone Originally from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel, Marsden’s version of You’ll Never Walk Alone was adopted by Liverpool FC as a terrace anthem in 1963, and has been associated with the club ever since. It has also been…

Alexi Laiho Announced January 4, 2021 GERRY MARSDEN: GETTY; ALEXI LAIHO: TERHI YLIMÄINEN THE WORLD OF heavy metal was shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of Alexi Laiho, the former guitarist with Finnish band Children Of Bodom. Once hailed as “the mad scientist of modern metal” by Classic Rock’s sister title Metal Hammer, Laiho died of unknown causes between December 28 and January 3. He was 41 years old. Nicknamed ‘Wild Child’, Laiho had been suffering with long-term health issues during his last years and passed away at home in Helsinki. Along with drummer Jaska Raatikainen he founded Children Of Bodom in 1993. The band’s fourth album, 2003’s Hatecrew Deathroll, is regarded as a masterpiece that expanded the horizons of the metal genre. After Children Of Bodom’s farewell concert…