Gavin Martin

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

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Ray Foulk: Stealing Dylan From Woodstock

By Gavin Martin Published

Inside story on the birth of the British Rock Festival; and Bob’s emergence from the basement.

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Live: The Fall

By Gavin Martin Published

Not yet rated

Barbed brilliance hits the south coast.

Concerts & Shows
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The Rifles: No Love Lost Deluxe Edition

By Gavin Martin Published

Three-CD remaster bonanza from the 21st-century mods.

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Willie Nile: If I Was A River

By Gavin Martin Published

Pared to the bone life/career assessing triumph from street-rock veteran.

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Nick Hall: I Need A Dodge! Joe Strummer On The Run

By Gavin Martin Published

Documentary looks back at Clash man’s Spanish sojourn.

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Stephen Dale Petit: At High Voltage

By Gavin Martin Published

Righteously (and suitably) titled live album gets full CD and exclusive digi release.

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Judy Dyble: Gathering The Threads (Fifty Years of Stuff)

By Gavin Martin Published

Self-compiled, vault-raiding, three-CD comp from original Fairport Convention singer.

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Bachman: Heavy Blues

By Gavin Martin Published

Canadian rock legend Randy drops first name for guest star-studded, piledriving rebrand.

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Dick Porter: Journey To The Centre Of The Cramps

By Gavin Martin Published

The real junk...

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Jesse Hector: Running Wild

By Gavin Martin Published

Glorious 90s sides from the West London rock legend.

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Gov’t Mule: Dark Side Of The Mule

By Gavin Martin Published

Warren Haynes’s crew deliver a set of Pink Floyd covers live.

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Steve Boone With Tony Moss: Life On The Run With The Lovin’ Spoonful

By Gavin Martin Published

Astonishing memoir from Summer In The City bassist, FBI informer and drug smuggler.

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Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Steve Stills: Super Session

By Gavin Martin Published

Legendary 1968 summit, now lovingly remixed by Kooper.

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The Deviants: Reissues

By Gavin Martin Published

Not yet rated

Defiantly deranged triptych from Mick Farren’s Apocalyptic Horsemen.

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Small Faces: Reissues

By Gavin Martin Published

Not yet rated

Handsomely packaged, generously expanded and annotated: mod maestros in their pomp.

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Man: The Twang Dynasty/Call Down The Moon

By Gavin Martin Published

Not yet rated

Welsh proggers’ 90s comeback – now with extra live tracks.

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Small Faces: Reissues

By Gavin Martin Published

Not yet rated

There Are But Four Small Faces / Greatest Hits The Immediate Years 1967 - 1969

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Jack Bruce: Something Els

By Gavin Martin Published

Cream man’s cruelly overlooked 1993 album with bonus tracks.

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Various Artists: One For The Road: Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert

By Gavin Martin Published

Star-studded tribute to late, great (Small) Faces hero.

Concerts & Shows
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Walter Trout: The Blues Came Callin'

By Gavin Martin Published

Cathartic, life-affirming songs from ailing blues veteran.

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School: Kenny Wayne Shepherd

By Gavin Martin Published

Blueser's beginnings.

Bands & Artists
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Sport: Richard Thompson

By Gavin Martin Published

Taking footie to the USA.

Bands & Artists
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Neil Young: Hyde Park, London

By Gavin Martin Published

Neil Young brings Crazy Horse to central London for an evening of "heart-lifting, spirit-raising Native Americana".

Concerts & Shows
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Tom Fuller Band: Freedom

By Gavin Martin Published

Chicago-bred veteran pours it all out on album No.4.

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Various Artists: A Musicares Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

By Gavin Martin Published

The great, good and so-so pay tribute to The Boss.

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