If the world hadn’t lost him at the ridiculously young age of 27 in 1970, Jimi Hendrix would have celebrated his 80th birthday this month. We don’t think there’s a rock guitarist…scratch that…a living rock musician who doesn’t owe a debt to Jimi. Whether it’s in terms of sounds, playing skills or showmanship, we really haven’t seen another like it.
This month, ahead of the release of a brand new book and live album, we celebrate his songs and his influence, along with some of his star admirers, collaborators and contemporaries.
That’s not all, however. This number, we also find it – on paper, at least! – the surviving members of Creedence Clearwater Revival to discuss their glory days and being bigger than the Beatles; we chat with Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger about their comeback; Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and many others regale us with tales of the 1980s Kiss; we hang out with Bush, Marcus King… and there’s so much more.
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Features
jimi hendrix
To celebrate what would have been the year of his 80th birthday, stars and those who knew him choose his greatest songs, relive personal memories and reflect on his legacy.
Splashback Clearwater Revival
For a time in the late ’60s, they were the hottest band in America, if not the world. The former members recall their outcast rocket ride to “surpass the Beatles”.
Nickelback
For years they have been an unworthy target of ridicule. For a while, the jokes hurt, but with multi-platinum record sales and hits, they were able to have the last laugh. Now with a new album Get rollin’ more than likely poised to continue the band’s successes, they still have a smile on their face.
Embrace
In a tumultuous decade, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were gone, there was a disastrous concept album, rising tensions between Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, and – most shocking of all – the removal of their makeup. Kiss almost didn’t survive the 80s.
Marcus King
After walking down the same desolate, drug-strewn road as some of his heroes, guitarist Marcus King has cleaned up his act and is now on the road to major success.
Bush
Having withstood the early days of huge commercial success but critical criticism, Gavin Rossdale is now happy that Bush is content to “make interesting music”.
Regulars
Dirtiness
Discovery of unpublished photos of the Rolling Stones from the 60s/70s; Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe co-headline UK dates in May; KK Downing and Les Binks join Judas Priest’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction. Welcome to Ruts DC and Brant Bjork. Say hello to Mother Vulture and Kira Mac. Say goodbye to John Hartman, Gord ‘Piledriver’ Kirchin, Loretta Lynn.
The stories behind the songs: Garbage
A band looking for a singer meets a singer who needs work. One of the first songs they worked on together was a signature hit and it’s still one of the first songs on the band’s set-lists.
Q&A: Peter Buck
The former REM guitarist from his old band, working with Luke Haines, and without the record companies telling him what to do.
Six things you need to know about… The Hu
They have a message; horses are important; the group are official cultural ambassadors of Mongolia.
The hot list
We take a look at some of the essential new rock tracks you need to hear and the artists to have on your radar. This month they include Mammoth WVH, Austin Meade, Devin Townsend, Laura Cox, The Hot Damn! and more.
Comments
New albums from Nickelback, Bruce Springsteen, Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts, Architects, Enuff Z’Nuff, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Todd Rundgren, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Leatherwolf. Reissues of Guns N’ Roses, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Queen, Slade, Garbage, The Beatles, David Bowie, Type O Negative. DVDs, films and books on Pearl Jam, Charlie Watts, Brian Johnson, The Jam, Eno. Live reviews of Guns N’ Roses, Uriah Heep, Anthrax, Billy Idol, Lindsey Buckingham, Man.
Return live
With gigs back on the agenda, we get a sneak peek at tours by Within Temptation, Mammoth WVH and Gong. Plus gig listings – find out who’s playing where and when.
The Soundtrack of My Life: The White Buffalo
Jake Smith takes us through his records, artists and concerts of lasting significance.
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