Classic Rock

Classic Rock

Classic Rock is the online home of the world's best rock'n'roll magazine. We bring you breaking news, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes features, as well as unrivalled access to the biggest names in rock music; from Led Zeppelin to Deep Purple, Guns N’ Roses to the Rolling Stones, AC/DC to the Sex Pistols, and everything in between. Our expert writers bring you the very best on established and emerging bands plus everything you need to know about the mightiest new music releases.

Articles by: Classic Rock

Deep Purple classic line up and an inset of George Harrison

"I’d heard this one thing, Smoke On The Water or something. But I’d never actually seen them": the night an ex-Beatle gatecrashed a Deep Purple show for an impromptu jam

By Classic Rock last updated

At a gig in Sydney in 1984, Deep Purple were joined by surprise guest Arnold Grove – aka former Beatles guitarist George Harrison

Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris holding a bass guitar

“He’s one of the most gifted songwriters that ever lived. What can I say? I’m not worthy!”: The eccentric prog icon who blew Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris’s mind

By Classic Rock published

The greatest ever songwriter to stand on one leg!

Ozzy Osbourne, Freddie Mercury, Curt Cobain and Rush

The 50 best rock bands of all time

By Classic Rock last updated

A definitive guide to the very best rock bands to ever have bothered polite society

Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead backstage at a show in 1977

Grateful Dead bassist and co-founder Phil Lesh dies at 84

By Classic Rock published

Phil Lesh, the bassist with The Grateful Dead, The Other Ones, The Dead and Phil Lesh And Friends has died

Myles Kennedy bundle

Order your limited edition Myles Kennedy x Classic Rock bundle – featuring an exclusive piece of show backdrop!

By Classic Rock published

There are only 200 worldwide, so get yours while you can!

A composite photo of Michael Schenker in 2020 and Pete Way playing live in 1979

“Pete was an open, innocent person. He suffered a lot in his life, but everybody loved him”: Michael Schenker’s new album features a tribute to late UFO bandmate Pete Way

By Classic Rock published

Michael Schenker’s new album features a cover of UFO’s Too Hot To Handle – and it’s dedicated to late bandmates Pete Way and Paul Raymond

A composite image of Jon Anderson and Yes guitarist Steve Howe

“I contacted Steve Howe and got very little back. Eventually you say, ‘OK, I’ve got to move on’”: Jon Anderson is finally over the idea of rejoining Yes

By Classic Rock published

Jon Anderson says he’s found the Yes he “always wanted” on his new solo album

Eddie and Alex Van Halen

Listen to Unfinished, the last song Eddie and Alex Van Halen ever recorded together

By Classic Rock published

Unfinished will be included in the audiobook of Brothers, Alex Van Halen's forthcoming memoir

Glenn Hughes posing for a photograph

“This will possibly be the last band that I’m in”: legendary ex-Deep Purple man Glenn Hughes says his current group could be his last

By Classic Rock published

Black Country Communion’s Glenn Hughes admits that his days of playing in bands could be coming to an end

Van Halen, 2004

"He did horrible things to people. He treated people so bad. He was a complete raving maniac." In 2016, Sammy Hagar talked candidly about his fears that Eddie Van Halen was going to die during Van Halen's 2004 reunion tour

By Classic Rock last updated

"When I saw those demons take over him it was pitiful." Sammy Hagar revisited his darkest days in Van Halen in a 2016 interview newly uploaded online

Jimi Hendrix studio portrait

The hits, the posthumous tracks, the interstellar space jams: These are the 20 greatest songs Jimi Hendrix ever recorded

By Classic Rock last updated

In four short years Jimi Hendrix created a rock'n'roll revolution, changing the way guitarists played their instruments and redefining what was possible in music itself

Jon Bon Jovi and Lzzy Hale

“Please, Lzzy, join Skid Row! Put the two bands together if you need to!”: even Jon Bon Jovi thinks Lzzy Hale should become Skid Row’s permanent new singer

By Classic Rock published

Who should be Skid Row’s new singer? Jon Bon Jovi has the answer

Grand Slam

40 years after their formation by Thin Lizzy icon Phil Lynott, Grand Slam are still rocking hard with their stirring new video Come Together (In Harlem)

By Classic Rock published

Grand Slam's brand new studio album, Wheel Of Fortune, arrives June 7

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora in 2024

“I’ve spoken to him twice in the last 11 years”: Jon Bon Jovi shuts down talk of a reunion with Richie Sambora

By Classic Rock published

Don’t hold your breath for a Bon Jovi/Richie Sambora reunion any time soon

Black Sabbath in 1989 backstage with an inset of Ozzy Osbourne

“You could have anyone from Dio to Pavarotti, and it will never be Sabbath. Don’t belittle that band, Tony, move on”: the furious open letter Ozzy Osbourne sent to Tony Iommi telling him to end Black Sabbath

By Classic Rock published

In the brand new issue of Classic Rock, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi looks back on the band’s late 80s ‘wilderness period’ – and a war of words with Ozzy Osbourne

Chris Cornell playing the guitar in a recording studio

“He has that incredible baritone and that haunted, tortured persona”: these are Chris Cornell’s five favourite singers, in his own words

By Classic Rock published

Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell passed away on May 18, 2017. Eight years earlier, he told Classic Rock about the singers who had inspired him

Kerry King in 2024 and Jeff Hanneman in 2001

“When I was doing this record, I thought, ‘Jeff would ****ing love this. There’s plenty of hate’”: Kerry King says his new solo album would have got ex-Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman’s approval

By Classic Rock published

What would late Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman have thought of his former bandmate’s new album? Kerry King thinks he knows

Deep Purple’s In Rock album cover with an inset of Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi

“It shows every member of the band doing what they did best – Gillan’s vocals, Jon Lord’s keyboards”: the In Rock classic that’s Tony Iommi‘s favourite Deep Purple song

By Classic Rock published

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi reveals his favourite song by fellow rock pioneers Deep Purple

A montage of Rush albums sleeves

The 11 greatest Rush album sleeves, by the man who created them

By Classic Rock published

Rush album cover artist Hugh Syme looks back on his favourite covers

Scorpions standing in front of a red wall in 1994

“The record company said, ‘You are completely out of your mind!’ Which I was!”: Scorpions’ hit song Rock You Like A Hurricane originally had a different title, and it was definitely NSFW

By Classic Rock published

Ex-Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell reveals the title he originally had in mind for their 1984 classic Rock You Like A Hurricane

Yes sitting around at table in 1973

The Yes albums you should definitely own

By Classic Rock published

The musicians may have changed, but the search for musical transcendence never wavered. These are the very best albums by Yes

ELO Over and Out tour

Jeff Lynne’s ELO announce final Over And Out tour, with 27 North American shows

By Classic Rock published

And so, the end is near

Stevie Nicks, 2024

Stevie Nicks adds shows in the UK, Ireland and Europe to her summer 2024 schedule

By Classic Rock published

Attention Fleetwood Mac fans in Europe: your chances of seeing Stevie Nicks this summer just improved

Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford and Bob Dylan

“Bob says: ‘Where you from?’ I say, ‘Birmingham’. He goes, ‘Birmingham? How’s Ozzy!’”: the unlikely time Rob Halford met Bob Dylan, the man who gave Judas Priest their name

By Classic Rock published

Rob Halford has only met Bob Dylan once, but he’s never forgotten the hilarious conversation that followed

Judas Priest in 2024 with an inset of the Invisible Shield album artwork

Judas Priest have just scored their highest charting album ever with Invincible Sheield

By Classic Rock published

Judas Priest’s new album Invincible Shield has trounced British Steel, Screaming For Vengeance and Firepower in the UK charts