Articles by Dave Ling, News/Lives Editor, Classic Rock

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.

Articles by: Dave Ling

The 38 best Rolling Stones songs, as chosen by 57 different musicians

By Dave Ling, Dave Everley, Polly Glass, Philip Wilding last updated 8 March 23

The very best Rolling Stones tracks, as chosen by those best qualified to judge: their fellow musicians

The story of the King's X song that could have been "the biggest hit in the world"

By Dave Ling published 7 March 23

Sung about a mystery girl who caught King's X guitarist Ty Tabor’s attention in a club, Goldilox is now a live classic, given new depths of meaning by the band's audience

Steve Harris holding mock-ups of the Iron Maiden stamps

Iron Maiden's Steve Harris: "Having us on stamps is quite a thing for me"

By Dave Ling published 7 March 23

In his first interview in two years, Iron Maiden mainman Steve Harris talks about being honoured by the Royal Mail, the passing of time and the future of the band

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington: lessons from a life lived to the full

By Dave Ling published 6 March 23

The late Gary Rossington was the last original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 2017, he told us what life had taught him

"I want more haters!" Voyager tackle the critics with Colours In The Sun

By Dave Ling published 1 March 23

In 2019, Voyager signed to Season Of Mist and released Colours In The Sun. The band discuss their poppiest yet heaviest seventh album

“I really didn’t expect the scale of the success”: The story behind Asia's self-titled debut album

By Dave Ling published 24 February 23

In 1982, Asia’s self-titled debut album became America’s best-selling album and took the supergroup on an unprecedented journey halfway across the globe.

The story of Dream Theater's Distance Over Time

By Dave Ling published 22 February 23

Following on from the overblown concept of The Astonishing, Distance Over Time was Dream Theater's first album for new albel, the prog specialist InsideOut Music

Motley Crue - Too Fast For Love front and rear sleeves

Denim and Leathür: How Mötley Crüe made the album that kick-started glam metal

By Dave Ling published 21 February 23

Out of money, and their music out of fashion, in 1981 Mötley Crüe recorded a debut album that set the glam-metal ball rolling

Thunder's Danny Bowes: "I'm getting a bit better every day, but it’s a very slow process"

By Dave Ling published 14 February 23

Thunder frontman Danny Bowes speaks to Classic Rock as he recuperates from the accident that took him perilously close to death

Faster Pussycat: "If I did an album we’d all be dead before it came out"

By Dave Ling published 8 February 23

Faster Pussycat frontman Taime Downe talks giving up the booze, the other ’Cat, not being industrial, and crazy 80s days

Joanne Shaw Taylor sitting in a garden holder a Fender Telecaster

Joanne Shaw Taylor interview: "I’ll always be a blues guitarist at heart"

By Dave Ling published 8 February 23

Joanne Shaw Taylor on her surreal return to the stage, Joe Bonamassa and the green-eyed monster, and why you shouldn't believe what's in her press release

What’s the hell is going on with The Quireboys?

By Dave Ling published 7 February 23

Singer is sacked and guitarist takes the mic. Sacked singer then teams up with former band members. Will the real Quireboys please stand up?

Meat Loaf in a freassing room, pointing towards the camera

The unforgettable life of Meat Loaf: "It felt like riding the tail of a comet"

By Dave Ling published 20 January 23

A big man with a big voice and big ambitions, Meat Loaf fought hard to achieve success, and when it came he thrilled millions with his unforgettable music

Resurrection shuffle: behind the scenes of the triumphant return of Skid Row

By Dave Ling published 18 January 23

This year's highly rated comeback album The Gang's All Here saw a definitive return to form for Skid Row with new singer Erik Grönwall – the sixth lead vocalist in the band's history.

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in 1975

How Alex Harvey conjured up one of rock's great moments of darkness and drama

By Dave Ling published 17 January 23

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's classic The Faith Healer took flight at the Reading Festival in 1973 – aided by a timely sunset and topless women

Taipei Houston: these sons of rock royalty are making a right royal racket

By Dave Ling published 10 January 23

"We were around a lot of creativity growing up": Abandoning the traditional band lineup, the sons of Metallica man Lars Ulrich are a determined duo

23 things we're looking forward to in 2023

By Dave Ling published 9 January 23

Whether it’s gig, tours, festivals, spanking new albums or box-set reissues, there’s plenty of rockin’ good stuff coming along over the next 12 months

Wolfgang Van Halen in a room full of guitars

How the Taylor Hawkins concerts delivered catharsis for Wolfgang Van Halen

By Dave Ling published 26 December 22

The Mammoth WVH man on Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, and Van Halen disfunction

Ruts DC: "There are people whose heads I would like to see on poles at the Tower Of London"

By Dave Ling published 20 December 22

Brit politicos Ruts DC lay their cards on the table with a new album and more calls to rise up against the system

Slade at the Great Western Express Lincoln Festival, Bardney, Lincolnshire, 28th May 1972

Slade: Noddy Holder's personal guide to five albums of beautiful noise

By Dave Ling published 16 December 22

With the release of a new box set of Slade live albums, Noddy Holder looks back over the band’s glittering career and recalls the shows that delivered the magic

The story behind Cinderella's biggest hit – with a little help from Cozy Powell

By Dave Ling published 7 December 22

Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) came to frontman Tom Keifer on the way to the studio, and he still sings it to his wife today

Gun: "Fans have told us that our songs helped to get them through difficult times"

By Dave Ling published 5 December 22

With unplugged album The Calton Songs and a single filled with nostalgia, Glaswegian rockers Gun are thrilled to be back

Dare: "It isn't easy to keep on going. But I live and breathe this music"

By Dave Ling published 16 November 22

The story of Dare, featuring tales of Thin Lizzy, changes of direction, terrible timing, record company shenanigans, and Professor Brian Cox

Queensrÿche: "We're always being sued about something, that’s part of the business"

By Dave Ling published 16 November 22

Queensrÿche are back with a new album Digital Noise Alliance, the signature sound they say "will always be in our DNA", and more legal bills

Blue Oyster Cult relaxed next to a swimming pool in 1976

Blue Öyster Cult: the truth behind the cowbells

By Dave Ling published 10 November 22

Was Blue Öyster Cult biggest hit about suicide, or doing the devil's work? An investigation into the epochal (Don't Fear) The Reaper

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