Philip Wilding
Philip Wilding is a novelist, journalist, scriptwriter, biographer and radio producer. As a young journalist he criss-crossed most of the United States with bands like Motley Crue, Kiss and Poison (think the Almost Famous movie but with more hairspray). More latterly, he’s sat down to chat with bands like the slightly more erudite Manic Street Preachers, Afghan Whigs, Rush and Marillion. He ghosted Carl Barat’s acclaimed autobiography, Threepenny Memoir, and helped launch the BBC 6 Music network as producer and co-presenter on the Phill Jupitus Breakfast Show. Five years later he and Jupitus fronted the hugely popular Perfect 10 podcast and live shows. His debut novel, Cross Country Murder Song, was described, variously, as ‘sophisticated and compelling’ and ‘like a worm inside my brain’. His latest novel The Death And Life Of Red Henley is out now.
Latest articles by Philip Wilding

By Philip Wilding Published
After tragedy shattered drummer Neil Peart’s life, many were just glad to have their 17th studio album in 2002. But it left almost everyone disappointed at the time

By Philip Wilding Published
In 2016 the nu metal guitarist released his surprising but well-received concept album Crystal Machete, showcasing his affinity for Hawkwind and Radiohead, among others

By Fraser Lewry Published
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

By Philip Wilding Published
1994's Brave set Marillion on a collision course with their record label, EMI. A year later, they went out on a high with Afraid of Sunlight. This is the story...

By Philip Wilding Published
A cancer tragedy and other real-life dramas inspired Mastodon’s seventh album Emperor Of Sand, which they believe was 17 years in the making

By Philip Wilding Published
In our exclusive interview, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson explain how and why the Fifty Something tour came to be

By Philip Wilding, Dave Everley Published
Some supergroups just aren't worth the sum of their parts. These are the exceptions

By Philip Wilding Published
“There was no internet or YouTube so we had to prove it every night on stage.”

By Philip Wilding Published
The singer names the track where he and his colleagues matched perfectly – even though it hurt to create it

By Polly Glass, Jerry Ewing, Malcolm Dome, Philip Wilding, Dave Ling Published
Buying guide From the late 60s until today, here are 40 songs that show why Southern rock continues to thrive

By Philip Wilding Published
One track from Moving Pictures and one from Vapor Trails illustrates the trio’s habit of getting too clever in the studio, then suffering for it later

By Philip Wilding Published
After a four-year hiatus, Rob Zombie returns to his frantic and frenetic Hellbilly roots

By Philip Wilding Published
Prog writer Philip Wilding – who once played Neil Peart’s drums – remained in contact with Lee as a dark decade exploded into new light

By Philip Wilding Published
Geddy Lee committed bass heresy, Alex Lifeson fought for a solo sound, and even the mixing desk wouldn’t cooperate as the band struggled to record what would become their signature song

By Philip Wilding Published
Rival Sons singer Jay Buchanan’s solo album is full of heart, blues and soul

By Philip Wilding Published
A look back at one of the most chaotic gigs in the history of rock 'n' roll

By Philip Wilding Published
When Alex Lifeson got back from a journey his bandmates presented him with a jam piece that finally gelled when they added Morse code to the intro

By Philip Wilding Published
Meet Luna Marble, the soulful, 70s-inspired group born from adversity and a blossoming romance

By Philip Wilding Published
Comparing his band to Yes and Pink Floyd, the sole surviving member looks back on OTT productions, getting carried away with overdubs and constant criticism – but insists: “We were setting a standard”

By Philip Wilding Published
Luke Morley doesn't know what the future holds but right now he's busy

By Philip Wilding Published
Now in his mid-thirties, Wolfgang Van Halen adds another compelling entry to a remarkable résumé

By Philip Wilding Published
Award-winning Canadian on delicate negotiations with musicians, his pride in working on Neil Peart’s books, and why he’d like to paint if he ever gets time to stop painting

By Philip Wilding Published
Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention's landmark album One Size Fits All, reissued with extra bells, whistles, kitchen sink, etc

By Philip Wilding Published
Robert Plant, Suzi Dian and band breathe new life into a classic and contemporary catalogue

By Philip Wilding Published
The Canadian trio’s fifth album set them on a new course that embraced synths, double-necked guitars and exploring the concept of loss. It was an experience they’d never be able to replicate, even though they tried
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