
Dave Ling
Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.
Latest articles by Dave Ling

The story of Judas Priest’s Defenders Of The Faith, the album that Tipper Gore couldn’t silence
By Dave Ling published
Controversy, chaos and “the heavy metal horn” – the story of Judas Priest’s 1984 album Defenders Of The Faith

How Dream Theater became the kings of progressive metal – and stayed there
By Dave Ling published
In 2009, Dream Theater released Black Clouds & Silver Linings – an album the prog metal giants claimed could give Slipknot and Trivium a run for its money in heaviness

Yes guitarist Steve Howe names the best record he's ever made
By Dave Ling published
Yes guitarist Steve Howe picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance

Cherie Currie on meet & greets, fan camaraderie, and the global cabal behind a worldwide takeover
By Dave Ling published
Former Runaway Cherie Currie plans to play "the songs I know people love" on what will likely be her final UK tour

The wild history of Love/Hate, the greatest Sunset Strip band nobody cared about
By Dave Ling published
Love/Hate blazed out of late 80s LA with killer debut Blackout In The Red Room – only to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

Balaam And The Angel are back, but they're still not quite sure where they fit in
By Dave Ling published
Former too-rock-for-goth family affair Balaam And The Angel are about to kick off an eight-date UK tour

Sepultura are coming to the end of the road and they're getting the crowd involved
By Dave Ling published
Retiring Brazillian metallers Sepultura are about to bring the hammer down on the anvil for the last time

In the 90s Terrorvision were high flyers, but the fall hit them hard. Now they're back
By Dave Ling published
We Are Not Robots is Terrorvision's first new album in more than a decade, and it’s full of top tunes

“We knew not everybody would like The Astonishing”: Jordan Rudess’ life with Dream Theater
By Dave Ling published
He started out in a college so strict that he couldn’t understand prog when he first heard it. But the composer, educator and tech fan, has made the most of opportunities that came his way

When Mike Portnoy quit Dream Theater for the first time, the shakeup led to Metropolis Pt. 2
By Dave Ling published
1999 modern prog masterpiece – their first record with Jordan Rudess – came after the dismissal of Derek Sherinian, the demise of internal “fake democracy” and fights with their label and the media

Doug Pinnick would do everything differently if King’s X went round again
By Dave Ling published
Bassist/vocalist reflects on his band being called the next big thing – but also the most unsellable product of all time

Paul Di'Anno's 10 greatest performances with Iron Maiden
By Dave Ling published
Some fans still cite Iron Maiden's first two albums as their greatest. This is the best of Paul Di'Anno, the late, great man who sang on them

The musicians that shaped Michael Anthony’s life, from Led Zeppelin to Eddie Van Halen
By Dave Ling published
Jack Bruce, John Paul Jones and his ex-bandmate - these are former Van Halen man Michael Anthony’s biggest musical influences

Creeper are gearing up for Devil's Night and a huge, pomp-filled night in North London
By Dave Ling published
It’ll be fangs, coffins and fake blood at Wembley Arena later this month

John Petrucci on resolving trauma and the return of Mike Portnoy to Dream Theater
By Dave Ling published
With friends (and bandmates) reunited for Dream Theater’s 40th anniversary, it’ll be a special night for fans at Wembley Arena later this month

The tale of prog-tinged City Boy, who landed a hit pop-rock single and never recovered
By Dave Ling published
Starting as an art-rock project in the vein of 10cc or Queen, work with producer Mutt Lange and the 1978 single 5.7.0.5. let to dispute, distraction and eventual destruction after several promising proggy albums

Phil Mogg on 50 years with UFO, life on the road and new band Moggs Motel
By Dave Ling published
Phil Mogg reveals why Moggs Motel doesn't have an apostrophe

How Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes became one of American rock’s great unsung heroes
By Dave Ling published
Slash, Billy Gibbons and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Doors – they’re all fans of Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes

Steve Hackett on The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway and keeping the Genesis flame alight
By Dave Ling published
Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett's latest 'themed' tour enables him to visit "the best of both worlds"

Blues-rocker, radio host and award winner Elles Bailey on how to succeed in the music industry
By Dave Ling published
British blueser Ellles Bailey begins a UK tour in late September

After 35 years, Monster Magnet know exactly what their fans want
By Dave Ling published
"It's all-energy. It's rock excitement, psychedelic glory and space-rock hooks" - Dave Wyndorf

Why Armored Saint recorded a cover of a Four Tops classic
By Dave Ling published
American metallers Armored Saint are steeling themselves for a US tour with W.A.S.P. via the magic of Motown

The Black Eyed Sons emerge from the wreckage of the Quireboys
By Dave Ling published
Members of The Quireboys and Down n' Outz combine for an all-star album featuring Joe Elliott, Ryan Roxie, Charlie Starr and more
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