Forty years ago, Ace Of Spades hit the charts with a vengeance, making Motörhead unlikely stars. Next stop America. But America wasn’t yet ready for them quite yet…
In this issue of Classic Rock we celebrate 40 years of rock'n'roll's ultimate anthem. Plus, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich speaks on the “honesty” of Motörhead and the impact of Ace Of Spades.
We also look back at Slade in the 70s, get to grips with All Them Witches' new album, hear why Biffy Clyro’s latest album is a masterful triumph in the face of adversity, uncover the secrets of Guns N' Roses overlooked albums and a whole lot more – including the biggest, loudest rock reviews section on the planet.
Subscribers receive a limited edition version of the magazine featuring the late, great Pete Way on the cover.
Classic Rock 280 is on sale now. And that's not all. We've got a strictly limited edition Motorhead Motorbundle up for grabs, containing an exclusive Three Amigos poster, a Warpig window sticker, two beer mats and two bumper stickers. Get yours now.
Features
Biffy Clyro
How Biffy Clyro’s latest album is a masterful triumph in the face of adversity.
Slade
For a time in 1970s, Slade were the most popular band in Britain. But then a car crash and fading glam-rock brought a downturn in the band’s fortunes. We bring you their story, in their own words.
All Them Witches
Nomadic living, religious music, Taoist literature and a stint in Abbey Road are among the building blocks of All Them Witches’ new album.
Guns N’ Roses
We uncover the secrets of the band’s overlooked albums – The Spaghetti Incident? and Live Era ’87–‘93 – with help from guitarist Gilby Clarke and others who were involved.
The Beach Boys
Tiring of making frothy pop, troubled genius Brian Wilson threw away his Beach Boys’ template and began recording what became one of the 60s’ defining albums: Pet Sounds.
White Lion
In the late 80s, White Lion’s future looked bright. But then, hit by a one-two of record company and management apathy, it soon dimmed rapidly.
Regulars
The Dirt
Classic Rock looks back at the music, life and times of the late, great Pete Way; Ozzy Osbourne film in the pipeline; GN’R and King Crimson alumni to take part in Guitar Show 2020 online… Welcome back Dokken, The Levellers and Champlin-Williams-Friestedt… Say hello to White Dog and Mother’s Cake… Say goodbye to Martin Birch, Frankie Banali, Walter Lure…
The Stories Behind The Songs
Iggy And The Stooges
Search And Destroy started out with James Williamson “goofing around making machine-gun sounds”, and its combination of pounding rhythm and aggressive guitar provided a template for punk.
Q&A
Tommy Lee
The Mötley Crüe drummer on his new solo album, meeting Prince, loving electronic music, and much more.
Six Things You Need To Know About…
Palaye Royale
They grew up on classic rock, do things their way, give Health & Safety the finger, and don’t get their clothes from Next.
Reviews
New albums from Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets, Fish, Marilyn Manson, Zack Wylde, Bob Mould, Neal Morse, Napalm Death, Deftones, Stryper, Flaming Lips… Reissues from Guns N’ Roses, Fleetwood Mac, Reef, Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Slade, Mastodon, Barclay James Harvest, Johnny Thunders, Helloween, Tygers Of Pan Tang… DVDs, films and books on Jimi Hendrix, Adrian Smith, Blue Öyster Cult, Redbone, Ready Steady Go!… Lockdown live reviews of Clutch, Biffy Clyro, Sam Fender, VoiVod, Doro…
Buyer’s Guide
Folk rock
Rock pillaged folk right through the 60s. But when that decade ended, the folkies grabbed it right back.
Gig Listings
Find out who’s playing where and when. Or not, as the case may be!
The Soundtrack Of My Life
Gary Stringer
The Reef frontman on the records, artists and gigs that are of lasting significance to him.
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