Latest articles by Johnny Sharp
They had to open for Deep Purple with no introduction and no lights. But their response led to being signed by ELP’s label, partying with Jaco Pastorius and Joni Mitchel, and writing with Peter Sinfield
Phil Manzanera’s Quiet Sun released one album four years after they’d officially broken up. But in building an anniversary edition, they found themselves writing new music
The second-wave movement didn’t last long – but its bands revitalised the genre with an attitude and energy that’s still being felt today
Ian Anderson looks back on A, Broadsword And The Beast, Under Wraps and Walk Into Light, and the musicians that made it a rich and rewarding era – even if some fans weren’t happy
The lead track from new album As We Once Were is inspired by everyone who pissed her off. But it’s humorous, not a rant
He took a long hard look at his production values when The Broadsword And The Beast was first released in 1982
Taking the same attitude to keyboards that he’d first taken to guitar, he regards his best 80s work as “synth prog” – and it’s difficult to disagree
Six months of classic rock, prog rock, stoner rock, southern rock, country rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock, power pop, heavy metal, punk and all forms of rock'n'roll
Producer recalls making his colleagues feel “embarrassed and amused at the same time” as he begged them not to give up on Owner Of A Lonely Heart
From "modern vintage" to playing Robert Plant: Six things you need to know about The Karma Effect
His 1997 album Sunsets On Empire – a collaboration with Steven Wilson – remains a sunny moment in his stormy career, although one song might not be the same if it was written today
Terje Mikkelsen was once told to avoid the ELP icon’s material. He ignored that advice, and went on to collaborate with Emerson himself
Buying guide Selling 50 million-plus records over more than five decades, Styx are the kings of pomp rock
Jethro Tull leader on the true value of space travel, which he doubts is Elon Musk’s reason for funding it – and why he wishes the Star Trek star had never gone up either
Since the death of David Longdon, the band have been through massive changes which were all brought to bear on their first full-narrative concept album
Buying guide Our pick of the must-have long-players from the golden age of garage and beyond.
Norwegian artist makes music for commercials and knows how to hook someone in 30 seconds. That’s why he doesn’t want his band’s songs to be catchy
The Scorpions' last album with Uli Jon Roth and first with Herman Rarebell sums them up in the year that punk broke
Alan Parsons' most commercially successful album bore fruit with the sports anthem Sirius and the hits Eye In The Sky and Old And Wise
He recalled the spark that ignited Thick As A Brick when he decided to publish a lyric book – which he admitted nobody needed, and feared would be a cringe experience
Pretenders' sidemen James Walbourne and Kris Sonne's second album as His Lordship is a savage blast of high-octane, garage-rooted R&B
Over 20 years in, Oslo trio deliver their first official live album – and it was worth the wait
Whether you want to spend your last five months surrounded by family, living in denial or taking part in a shaggathon, there’s a song for you on this apocalyptic concept album
New album Relativity gave him flashbacks to the 70s – and though the factors that led to his split with Les Holroyd are all in the past, he can’t see how a reunion might happen
