James McNair

James McNair

James McNair grew up in East Kilbride, Scotland, lived and worked in London for 30 years, and now resides in Whitley Bay, where life is less glamorous, but also cheaper and more breathable. He has written for Classic Rock, Prog, Mojo, Q, Planet Rock, The Independent, The Idler, The Times, and The Telegraph, among other outlets. His first foray into print was a review of Yum Yum Thai restaurant in Stoke Newington, and in many ways it’s been downhill ever since. His favourite Prog bands are Focus and Pavlov’s Dog and he only ever sits down to write atop a Persian rug gifted to him by a former ELP roadie. 

Articles by: James McNair

Max Webster

"My voice will go at some point, but until then I’m about customer service and rock'n'roll": the oddball story of Rush's "little brother band" Max Webster

By James McNair published

One of rock’s true enigmas, Max Webster never quite took off outside their native Canada. Years after it all came to a sad ending, their legacy lives on through frontman Kim Mitchell

David Paton

"The curtain across the control room went back and there was Rick with his dick in a wine glass going, 'Coq au vin, anyone?'." David Paton's life in music

By James McNair published

Pilot bassist and The Alan Parsons Project member reminisces about working with Kate Bush, Rick Wakeman’s unusual ice-breakers, and that time onebof his songs was used to advertise a diabetes drug.

Bruce Soord - Luminescence

“Darkly beautiful, Floydian in nature… a wonderful listen if the stock of Prozac holds out”: Bruce Soord’s Luminescence

By James McNair published

The Pineapple Thief leader’s third solo album feels autumnal and meditative

Former Strawbs lineup

“There was misinformation from fans and members. There was resentment and vindictiveness: people saying this new album isn’t the real Strawbs”: Dave Cousins on his band’s civil war

By James McNair published

Latest album The Magic Of It All has a complex history - and although he’s retired from live performance, band leader insists it’s not a swansong

Pat Travers playing guitar

“We hired a real coffin, and the funeral-home people were like: You will look after it, won’t you?" Pat Travers on serenading a corpse, Thin Lizzy, and making peace with the past

By James McNair published

With more than 30 studio albums to his name, Canadian guitarist Pat Travers really should be more widely known. But, he says, our destiny is not something we have control over

Pat Travers

Pat Travers: six songs you need to know

By James McNair published

He's Pat Travers. He almost joined Thin Lizzy. He was loved by Dimebag Darrell. And if you don't know his music, these six songs are a good place to start

Magna Carta

"David Bowie said, 'That was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.’” Magna Carta and friends in high places

By James McNair published

Chris Simpson of 70s folky proggers Magna Carta recalls 50 years of making music. “I look back and think: how did it all happen?” he says...

Christine McVie in the studio

A day in the life of Christine McVie was a very nice day indeed

By James McNair published

In 2004, the late Christine McVie told us about her quiet life away from Fleetwood Mac: "I watch Law & Order almost every night, and I like Homicide: Life On The Street"

King's X: Three Sides Of One cover art

King's X - Three Sides Of One: "There’s still plenty of imagination in the tank."

By James McNair published

Not yet rated

Veteran art-rock trio’s first studio album in 14 years.

The story behind the song: Brass In Pocket by The Pretenders

By James McNair last updated

Brass in Pocket was the first UK No.1 of the 80s, The Pretenders' biggest hit, and the first flowering of 'girl power'

Q&A: Chrissie Hynde

By James McNair published

The Pretenders' smoky-eyed songstress looks backward over their career, and focuses on the present with the belated UK release in 2008 of their Break Up The Concrete album.