Articles by Henry Yates

Henry Yates has been a freelance journalist since 2002 and written about music for titles including The Guardian, The Telegraph, NME, Classic Rock, Guitarist, Total Guitar and Metal Hammer. He is the author of Walter Trout's official biography, Rescued From Reality, a music pundit on Times Radio and BBC TV, and an interviewer who has spoken to Brian May, Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie Wood, Dave Grohl, Marilyn Manson, Kiefer Sutherland and many more.

Articles by: Henry Yates

Bryan Adams: the surprisingly sexual story of Summer Of '69

By Henry Yates published 1 July 20

Bryan Adams’ hit single Summer Of '69 wasn’t about childhood innocence and forgotten friendships – it was an ode to topsy-turvy lurve-makin’

Steve Earle & The Dukes: Ghosts Of West Virginia

Steve Earle's Ghosts of West Virginia: an undeniably powerful, angry work

By Henry Yates published 22 May 20

Veteran Steve Earle rages on retelling of 2010 West Virginia mining disaster

The Freddie Mercury statue by Lake Geneva

The Last Goodbye: How Queen made Innuendo and Made In Heaven

By Henry Yates published 12 May 20

Even as his time ran out, Freddie Mercury was the driving force behind Queen’s 1991 album Innuendo and the voice from beyond the grave on 1995’s Made In Heaven. Here’s how Queen went out with a bang

The story of the great 'lost' Jeff Healey album, Heal My Soul

By Henry Yates last updated 11 May 20

Jeff Healey arguably never sounded more alive than on his lost album, Heal My Soul

Ace Frehley interview: street gangs, stabbings, and Paul Stanley's IQ

By Henry Yates last updated 27 April 20

Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley answers rock's heaviest questions

The Story Behind The Song: Anthrax and Public Enemy’s Bring The Noise

By Henry Yates last updated 21 April 20

How thrash kingpins Anthrax and hip hop titans Public Enemy created the greatest rap-metal song of all

Argent - God Gave Rock And Roll To You: the story behind the song

By Henry Yates published 3 March 20

Now a rock anthem, Argent's God Gave Rock And Roll To You was written under the storm cloud of cancer and enjoyed a superstar second wind

Interview: Neal Schon

By Henry Yates last updated 25 February 20

The Journey lynchpin on sobriety, nagging spouses and that long-awaited Santana album.

Glenn Hughes interview: "we’re all gonna die... so live each day"

By Henry Yates last updated 13 February 20

Glenn Hughes on health and happiness, looking back at Black Country Communion, and joining The Dead Daisies

50 years, 50 tracks: the Ultimate Heavy Metal Playlist

By Geoff Barton, Malcolm Dome, Lee Dorrian, Ian Fortnam, Paul Henderson, Dave Ling, Sian Llewellyn, Scott Rowley, Jonathan Selzer, Henry Yates, Fraser Lewry last updated 19 November 19

As humanity celebrates 50 years of heavy metal, here’s half a century’s worth of pioneering heavy music, from the classics to the contemporary hard-hitters

Christmas comes early on The Darkness's sixth album Easter Is Cancelled

By Henry Yates published 4 October 19

Merry men The Darkness tread winning tightrope between sublime and ridiculous on Easter Is Cancelled

The 5 best new blues albums you need to hear right now

By Henry Yates published 13 September 19

New releases from Henry’s Funeral Shoe, Kris Barras Band, P.P. Arnold, Sunjay and Katie Brooks

Hollis Brown: making a blood-spattered journey from the garage to the stars

By Henry Yates published 13 August 19

Six things you need to know about New York rising stars Hollis Brown

Fleetwood Mac's wild ride: the story of the Blues Years

By Henry Yates published 12 June 19

From 1967 to 1974, Fleetwood Mac teetered on the line between triumph and oblivion. Co-founder Mick Fleetwood recalls the band’s early years…

Jimi Hendrix: the life and times of a genius

By Max Bell, Johnny Black, Rob Hughes, Hugh Fielder, Ken Sharp, Mick Wall, Henry Yates published 6 May 19

Classic Rock talks to Jimi Hendrix's friends, admirers and other musicians about his life and importance

How to buy the very best of Jack White

By Henry Yates published 5 March 19

From The White Stripes to The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather and beyond, Jack White is Detroit's favourite son...

Every song on Pearl Jam's Ten ranked from worst to best

By Henry Yates published 23 December 18

Pearl Jam's Ten lit grunge's blue touch paper then retreated to a safe distance to watch everything explode. Here's every track, re-ordered from worst to best

Brian May interview: how Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody movie was made

By Henry Yates published 28 November 18

Exclusive! Brian May interview: The Queen guitarist on Rami Malek, Roger Taylor's socks, and what Freddie would have made of it all...

Ace Frehley - Spaceman album review

By Henry Yates published 19 October 18

While his guitar playing can still thrill, words fail former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley

6 of the best Scorpions songs, as chosen by Dave Mustaine

By Henry Yates published 16 September 18

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine selects half a dozen classics from Klaus Meine and Co...

John Mayall & The Story of the Lost & Legendary Bluesbreakers Lineup

By Henry Yates published 17 July 18

The mythologised Bluesbreakers line-up of John Mayall, Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood never made a studio album and shattered after just three months.