Ian Ravendale

Ian Ravendale

Ian Ravendale began working for BBC's Radio Newcastle's Bedrock show in the 1970s and soon after started writing for local and national music magazines. He's written for Sounds, Classic Rock, AOR, Record Collector, The Word, American Songwriter, Classic Pop, Vive Le Rock, Iron Fist, The Beat, Vintage Rock and Fireworks, and worked with Tyne Tees Television and Border TV.

Latest articles by Ian Ravendale

Klaatu press photo

The curious case of the band whose career was derailed by a rumour

By Ian Ravendale published

They were The Beatles – or so a million record buyers thought in 1977

Interviews
Diane Warren posing for a photograph at a piano

The epic career of Diane Warren, the songwriting genius behind some of rock’s greatest hits

By Ian Ravendale published

Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, The Cult and Starship have all benefitted from Diane Warren’s midas touch

Interviews
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page - The New Yardbirds (to become Led Zeppelin )., Copenhagen, Sep. 7, 1968

Behind the scenes at Led Zeppelin's first UK show, by the people who were there

By Ian Ravendale published

When people turned up to a Newcastle ballroom, they expected to see The New Yardbirds. Instead, they saw the future of rock'n'roll

Interviews
Black Widow onstage on German TV show Beat Club

"He reckoned we could conjure a demon. We tried it every night on stage, but it never worked": the story of Black Widow, rock's original pretend Satanists

By Ian Ravendale published

Need a bit of controversy? Try black magic and on-stage naked sacrifices

Albums