
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

“It’s almost like we’re so preposterously uncool that somehow we became cool”: the turbulent story of Dream Theater’s Images And Words, the album that changed the face of prog metal
By Dave Ling published
The turbulent story of Dream Theater’s Images And Words, the album that changed the face of prog metal

The explosive story of Wild Horses, the 70s supergroup who had it all and threw it away
By Dave Ling published
Featuring former members of Thin Lizzy and Rainbow, Wild Horses should have been huge – but chemicals, egos and bitterness got in the way

Michael Sadler was always going to rejoin Saga, and they knew it
By Dave Ling published
Canadian singer’s five-year absence was long enough for his bandmates to fail the challenge of reinventing themselves

Black Sabbath's least-loved album re-examined, four decades on
By Classic Rock Magazine published
What happened when Tony Iommi brought two familiar faces back on board for Forbidden, an album produced by an extremely unexpected choice

The rock musicians battling against AI: "If they can do it to me, what's next? How far will they go?"
By Dave Ling published
Exclusive: Peter Frampton and Jerry Shirley on the attempts by the owners of the Steve Marriott estate to replicate the singer's voice with AI – and why they're determined to fight it

Why Testament deserve to be at thrash metal’s top table
By Dave Ling published
Testament’s 2012 album Dark Roots Of Earth was another classic from thrash’s most dependable band

Arthur Lee may be gone, but Love have found a way forward
By Dave Ling published
Love's Forever Changes is coming to the UK in full, and if you're lucky it'll be orchestrated

Manic Street Preacher Nicky Wire once wanted to lacerate the world - now he's doing it to himself
By Dave Ling published
Nicky Wire talks about the upcoming Manics tour, Richey Edwards, Rush and the band’s next album

The Pretty Reckless are on the road with AC/DC, and Taylor Momsen is more than ready to rock
By Dave Ling published
Supporting the Rolling Stones and AC/DC in the same week? Sounds like a pretty good few days

The wild career of Cold Chisel, the Aussie hellraisers who should have been as big as AC/DC
By Dave Ling published
Cold Chisel are huge stars in their native Australia, but the rest of the world barely knows who they are

The Status Quo albums you should definitely listen to
By Dave Ling published
With the likes of Marguerita Time and In The Army Now lurking, you need to tread carefully while searching out Status Quo's best albums

Pete Agnew and the continuation of Nazareth
By Dave Ling published
With Dan McCafferty gone and their glory days behind them, Nazareth's last surviving original member, Pete Agnew, cannot imagine life without the band

Wishbone Ash's Argus was voted album of the year in 1972: Its standout track went on to influence Steely Dan, Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden
By Dave Ling published
With a riff claimed by both of the band’s guitarists and lyrics inspired by a summer romance, Blowin' Free became Wishbone Ash’s signature song and a rock classic

Ian Gillan looks back at Deep Purple's Machine Head era
By Dave Ling published
With Deep Purple’s original plans for their sixth album having literally gone up in smoke, Machine Head was a triumph snatched from the jaws of disaster

“There are five million disgraceful heavy metal bands”: the story of Avenged Sevenfold’s fourth album
By Dave Ling published
Avenged Sevenfold’s self-titled fourth album found them ripping up their own blueprint - with brilliant results

The rise and fall of Girl, the cult glam rock band who should have been huge
By Dave Ling published
Swaggering and arrogant, NWOBHM-era glam rockers Girl were the biggest band in the world – at least in their own heads

Richie Kotzen looks back on life in Poison, Mr Big, the Winery Dogs and more
By Dave Ling published
Richie Kotzen has just arrived in Europe for a lengthy tour, with UK dates in July

For years Thin Lizzy's Scott Gorham kept his art secret, but all is now revealed
By Dave Ling published
It can only be a matter of time before a band commissions Scott Gorham to produce their album artwork

From viral sensations to superstar support: Meet Mexico’s latest rock export, The Warning
By Dave Ling published
Sister act The Warning have played with Foo Fighters, GN’R, Muse and more, and they're just getting started

Steve Howe on the future of Yes and his new version of Tales From Topographic Oceans
By Dave Ling published
Steve Howe on the future of Yes, the band's next leader, and why an Avatar show isn't out of the question

Deap Vally are about to play their final shows, but they've got some great memories
By Dave Ling published
Once described as having the scuzz of the White Stripes and Led Zeppelin’s power, Deap Vally are nearing the end

The gospel according to the God of Hellfire, Arthur Brown
By Dave Ling published
The future looks bleak. Money isn’t everything. Embrace getting older. Simple pleasures are the best. These things and more shape the real God Of Hellfire’s world view

"If I'd made millions, I'd be making jazz records": A spiky interview with Gary Moore
By Dave Ling published
After three spells with Thin Lizzy', the late Gary Moore turned solo artist, ditching hard rock for the music of his childhood, the blues
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.