Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has just released a theatrical music video for “Afterglow of Ragnarok,” the debut single from his first solo album since 2005, The Mandrake Project. Written with longtime songwriting partner and bandmate Roy Z, “Afterglow of Ragnarok” is a thumping track anchored a burly, bruising yet boisterous riff and flanked by Dickinson’s still impressive vocal […]
Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, best known for the holiday favorite “Fairytale in New York,” has died after a bout with viral encephalitis. He was 65. His wife Victoria Mary Clarke confirmed the news on Instagram, declaring that “the start and end of everything I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and […]
Simon Kirke believes his bands Free and Bad Company both deserve to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The drummer lamented the groups’ exclusions during an appearance on the Bob Lefsetz Podcast. “I think it’s such a travesty. Quite honestly,” Kirke declared. “Free certainly should be [in the Hall] because Free has […]
Fair or not, rock groups are often closely associated with their singers. But that doesn’t mean other bandmates don’t occasionally get their due at the mic. In fact, as you’ll see in the following countdown of Classic Rock Songs Not Sung by the Lead Singer, there is more than one example where a band’s biggest […]
Despite reports that Soundgarden’s dispute with Chris Cornell’s estate had reached a peaceful conclusion, it appears the battle is not over. In April, the band and Cornell’s widow, Vicky, released a joint statement announcing “an amicable out-of-court resolution.” At the time, they noted the agreement would “allow Soundgarden fans around the world to hear the […]
One of the greatest comedies in the history of cinema will finally continue in a sequel. This Is Still Spinal Tap, anyone? In an appearance on the RHLSTP With Richard Herring podcast, This Is Spinal Tap director Rob Reiner confirmed that the sequel, which will feature all the core members of everyone’s favorite pathetic heavy metal band Spinal […]
Before Europe’s “The Final Countdown” became a worldwide sports anthem — and part of many moments in pop culture — some of its roots came from disco and David Bowie. The story that vocalist Joey Tempest tells regarding the evolution of the song has a common thread — like many bands, Europe wanted a big epic […]
Even the best classic-rock lyrics don’t necessarily bear stand-alone scrutiny. Rock critic Robert Chrisgau memorably noted that Bob Dylan‘s “My Back Pages” was “a bad poem. But it is a good song, supported by a memorable refrain.” Unfortunately, even Bob Dylan has a bad day. He’s not alone in that, as some of the genre’s […]
Geordie Walker, longtime guitarist of revered post-punk rockers Killing Joke, has died at the age of 64 according to several reports. In an Instagram post shared by former Killing Joke drummer Martin Atkins, he wrote, succinctly, “Geordie Walker has left the building.” Blabbermouth has also reported on Walker’s death, citing a Facebook post written by Walker’s close […]
It’s not hard to find classic albums that were released in 1972. After all, it’s one of the all-time greatest years for popular music. During those 12 months, David Bowie broke through with The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. Lou Reed made his greatest solo statement, Transformer. The Rolling […]