Chris Welch

Chris Welch

Chris Welch is a music journalist, reviewer and critic who joined Melody Maker in 1964, a publication famous during the 1960s and 1970s for reporting on the rise of such bands as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, If, Cream, Jeff Beck and Jethro Tull. During that time he also reported on the UK jazz scene and was a fan of groups led by Graham Bond, Georgie Fame, Jon Hiseman and others. He has written books on several rock music personalities, including Jimi Hendrix, Yes, Steve Winwood, Black Sabbath, John Bonham, Led Zeppelin, Peter Grant, and Cream. He has also written liner notes for many rock albums.

Articles by: Chris Welch

Jimi Hendrix in Montague Square, London

"They're called The Experience, man. You've gotta see them": In December 1966 Jimi Hendrix released Hey Joe: Five days later he played a casino in a hotel basement

By Chris Welch published

In late 1966 writer Chris Welch saw The Who play at a tiny East London club. Later that day, he saw Jimi Hendrix in an even smaller venue

John Bonham of Led Zeppelin posed at Rai in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 27 1972

Days of thunder: the triumph and tragedy of John Bonham

By Chris Welch published

John Bonham’s drumming powered Led Zeppelin like the engine of a battleship, but his death in 1980 did for his band. This is his story

John Bonham onstage

Old school jazz and lacerated hands: the secrets of Led Zeppelin's Moby Dick

By Chris Welch published

John Bonham’s marathon solo Moby Dick was one of the high spots of every Led Zeppelin show in the 1970s and inspired countless aspiring drummers

Led Zeppelin: 'When Peter Grant Laid Down The Law, People Would Be Shaking'

By Chris Welch published

Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant didn’t just rule his band, he ruled the entire music industry. But then divorce sent him into a spiral of depression and drugs...