Latest articles by James McNair
Never one to repeat himself, Canadian guitar hero Pat Travers boasts a prolific, genre-shifting back catalogue – and these are his best albums
John Helliwell and Bob Siebenberg recall the words that shattered a remote farmhouse’s calm vibe as they worked on Crime Of The Century
Multi-faceted pioneer hadn’t played guitar for six months - but was soon up and working by 5am every day
Jim Morrison grabbed the headlines, but Ray Manzarek brought depth, musicality and menace to The Doors
ZZ Top hit big with Eliminator. So they repeated the formula with Afterburner
The singer, bassist and guitarist explains what it was like to make music with legends – and wonders if he retired too soon
Amiable co-founder of the prog giants reflects on leaving before the band became huge, and explains why he wishes he’d met his replacement Steve Hackett sooner
Guitar virtuoso explains why he can’t wait to escape domestic life and get back on tour, and reveals his multi-generational approach to his many collaborations
Buying guide Selling 50 million-plus records over more than five decades, Styx are the kings of pomp rock
It took him three years to complete guitar-free project as he struggled with wrist issues, while resisting the urge to preprogram pieces on synth (much)
Having said new music was unlikely, Norwegian rockers Gluecifer are back with their first album in two decades
The American’s memories of seeing Yes, Black Sabbath and Grand Funk Railroad helped save him from despair – as did seeing his sibling play like Eddie Van Halen before Eddie did himself
Despite what many thought, I Don't Like Mondays wasn't about getting back to work after the weekend
Despite concerns their drummer wouldn’t find time to take part, fifth album has been compared to their 2016 virtuosic victory, and they’re planning to tour it with the complete studio line-up
Heavy Pettin toured with Ozzy and Mötley Crüe. Then their entry for 1987’s Eurovision misfired and killed their career, and they’ve regretted it ever since. But now they're back and gunning for glory
While the ex Pink Floyd leader is a world-class guitarist and vocalist, his attitude to family, social issues and collaborations make him even bigger than that
Ian Anderson talks about Jethro Tull’s latest album Curious Ruminant and ponders the itch to make another
Buying guide Twelve months of life-enriching, extraordinary new music
How Scorpions went from being called ‘the worst German import since the V2 bomb’ to much-loved rock royalty
The era-defining 1985 album that made stars of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith returns in extended format with Steven Wilson remixes
The future Live Aid organiser hated Pink Floyd – but he still ended up starring the movie version of their 1979 album
For their 1987 single Time Stand Still, Rush wanted a female singer. They got someone who turned them into "complete goofballs"
