Latest articles by Mick Wall
Metallica's One single cemented their status as one of the greatest metal bands in the world – here's the story of how it came to life
Settle in for an epic tale in Rio De Janeiro as Iron Maiden, Ozzy and Queen and more play the first ever Rock In Rio festival - as MIck Wall tries to drink their rider
Just your everyday tale of the first (and probably last) anti-drug festival behind the Iron Curtain, with Bon Jovi, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Cinderalla and Skid Row
Almost every obituary of Syd Barrett claimed he was a ‘mad genius’. But the truth is far more complex. Classic Rock looks behind the clichés for a glimpse of the real Syd...
Die-hard fans of either may disagree, but the coming together of Lou Reed and Metallica on Lulu has proved a shattering combination
At the start of 1987, Metallica were teetering on the edge of a crisis – until they knocked out a cheaply recorded EP of covers
From his stubborn individuality to his taste in music, Metallica’s Cliff Burton was a true one-off
Metallica's 1988 album was their step up to the big leagues. But things would never be the same again
In 1989, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were reeling from the death of their guitarist. But the album they were about to make would change everything
As Earth they were going nowhere. Then they chanced on three notes which in the Middle Ages had been branded ‘the devil’s interval’, changed their name to Black Sabbath and changed everything
With stalling sales and an unsupportive label, there was only one thing left for AC/DC to do: rock. Harder than ever before.
35 years ago this week, The Cult left behind the post-punk scene, and reappeared with straight-out rock album Electric. They helped spark a revolution in the process
Led Zeppelin were ready to begin another huge US tour – then disaster struck. But out of the chaos rose Presence, an album Jimmy Page considers one of their best
Thin Lizzy were on the road to nowhere when they recorded a dusty old folk tune titled Whiskey In The Jar, intended as a B-side. Result: a 70s classic
In 1977, AC/DC were on the rocks. The fans had deserted them, the media was crucifying them and even Bon Scott wasn’t safe from being fired. It was make or break time
In 2021 Francis Rossi continued his marathon spoken-word tour around the UK, and Classic Rock's Mick Wall was alongside him every step of the way
AC/DC were at the top of their game, but their singer was heading down a dangerous path. His last show was on January 27, 1980, and just three weeks later he was dead
An excerpt from Mick Wall's book Two Riders Were Approaching: The Life & Death of Jimi Hendrix
How did AC/DC follow the globe-conquering success of Back In Black? With For Those About To Rock, and great difficulty
Ginger Wildheart's story tells of growing up with violence, escaping into the redemptive arms of rock’n’roll, and going on to become a prolific and acclaimed songwriter
After their multi-million-selling album Permanent Vacation, it was time for Aerosmith to go one bigger. They stepped up to the plate, swung hard and hit a home run with Pump
Half-black, half-white, part Catholic, part God-hater – Phil Lynott could write poetry one minute and knock you out cold the next
Mahavishnu Orchestra took ‘out there’ to a new level with music that was as bold, ballsy and exciting as when Hendrix first landed
