
Gavin Martin
Late NME, Daily Mirror and Classic Rock writer Gavin Martin started writing about music in 1977 when he published his hand-written fanzine Alternative Ulster in Belfast. He moved to London in 1980 to become the NME’s Media Editor and features writer, where he interviewed the Sex Pistols, Joe Strummer, Pete Townshend, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Ian Dury, Killing Joke, Neil Young, REM, Sting, Marvin Gaye, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone, James Brown, Willie Nelson, Willie Dixon, Madonna and a host of others. He was also published in The Times, Guardian, Independent, Loaded, GQ and Uncut, he had pieces on Michael Jackson, Van Morrison and Frank Sinatra featured in The Faber Book Of Pop and Rock ’N’ Roll Is Here To Stay, and was the Daily Mirror’s regular music critic from 2001. He died in 2022.
Latest articles by Gavin Martin

Jeff Healey: Heal My Soul
By Gavin Martin published
Lovingly restored, ‘lost’ album captures late great Toronto-born guitarist at his peak.

Janis: Little Girl Blue
By Gavin Martin published
Definitive portrait of iconic blues belter.

The Waco Brothers: Going Down In History
By Gavin Martin published
First album in 11 years from the Clash-meet-Cash-styled crew.

EDDIE MARTIN’S BIG RED RADIO Live In Tuscany
By Gavin Martin published
British veteran’s impeccable Italian job marks a career high.

Julien Temple: The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson
By Gavin Martin published
Director Julien Temple captures guitar hero’s post-Oil City Confidential afterlife.

Ricky Warwick: When Patsy Cline Was Crazy / Hearts On Trees
By Gavin Martin published
Almighty/Black Star Riders man’s electric/acoustic two-album triumph.

Graham Bond: Live At The BBC And Other Stories
By Gavin Martin published
Not yet ratedFour-disc set from pioneering bandleader.

Streetwalkers: I’m Walking – Complete Streetwalkers 1974-1977
By Gavin Martin published
Fulsome 15-disc box set honours Roger Chapman’s post-Family band.

Cream: The Singles 1967-1970
By Gavin Martin published
Ten seven-inch singles boxed with an exquisite booklet.

Michael Chapman – The Man Who Hated Mornings
By Gavin Martin published
Reboot for Yorkshire guitar hero’s 1977 star-studded corker

Van Morrison: Dark Knight Of The Soul
By Gavin Martin published
Van Morrison has lived an extraordinary life. Here, Van The Man looks back on it all with typical candour...

Alternative TV: Viva La Rock’N’Roll
By Gavin Martin published
The Complete Fun City Recordings 1977-1980, with bonus tracks.

Brian James: The Guitar That Dripped Blood
By Gavin Martin published
The Damned’s original guitarist/songwriter’s swaggering fifth solo album.

Tucker Zimmerman: Ten Songs Expanded Edition
By Gavin Martin published
Stunning 1969 debut by San Francisco-born wunderkind.

Bert Jansch: Reissues
By Gavin Martin published
Not yet ratedFolk-rock gold from the late, great writer/guitarist.

Marky Ramone: Punk Rock Blitzkrieg
By Gavin Martin published
The drummerman inside view of the making and breaking of a rock’n’roll legend.

Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin: Lost Time
By Gavin Martin published
Blasters brothers’ reunion continues with dynamic tributes to formative influences.

Taste: What’s Going On – Live At The Isle of Wight Festival 1970
By Gavin Martin published
Rory Gallagher’s Taste sensations live.

John Wetton And The Les Paul Trio: New York Minute
By Gavin Martin published
Asia man recasts favourites with late guitarist’s trio.

Pete Brown: The ‘Not Forgotten’ Association
By Gavin Martin published
1973 curio matching well-connected Cream lyricist with musical accomplices.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: One More For The Fans
By Gavin Martin published
Guest-studded two-CD live recording of Atlanta benefit.

Delta Deep: Delta Deep
By Gavin Martin published
Star-studded, female-fronted blues side-project from Def Leppard man.
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