If there’s a single band that is the great galvaniser, then surely it’s AC/DC. Case in point: they’re about the only band that we’ve discovered to date that we can put on the stereo at CR HQ and everyone is happy. There’s just something so right about the Antipodean heroes. From Angus and Malcolm’s guitars to the thunderous rhythm section, to Bon or Brian, they’ve seldom put a foot wrong. And it’s not just the CR team who wholeheartedly appreciate their genius.
This issue, to celebrate the 50th-anniversary year of their formation, Classic Rock spoke to the stars, including Biff Byford, Paul Stanley, Wolfgang Van Halen, Joe Elliott and more to look back at their great albums, and hear a few tales of close encounters of the ’DC kind.
This issue we also sat down with some of the new(er) crop of artists making decisive classic rock inroads: Greta Van Fleet return with a new album, as do Wolfgang Van Halen and homegrown lads The Dust Coda. We also celebrate 25 years of Skindred with Benji and the boys, and so much more.
For those about to rock: Get the new issue of Classic Rock here!
If you’re a subscriber in the UK or buy CR from the link above, the magazine comes with an official 50th Anniversary pin badge pack, with three badges!
Features
AC/DC
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of AC/DC – half a century of riffs, rambunctiousness, schoolboy uniforms and some of the greatest rock’n’roll music ever created. To mark this momentous occasion we asked rock’s finest to talk about their favourite albums by the Australian icons.
Greta Van Fleet
Greta Van Fleet, prodigious guardians of rock’s eternal flame, have emerged from the darkness and uncertainty of the last few years with Starcatcher, a retrofuelled blast of cosmic light and love that feels like it’s one for the ages.
Pat Travers
With more than 30 studio albums to his name, Canadian guitarist Pat Travers really should be better/more widely known. But, he says, our destiny is not something we have control over.
Wolfgang Van Halen
Life isn’t always a bed of roses when you’re following in a famous parent’s footsteps. But with his two albums so far Wolfgang Van Halen is escaping from his father’s shadow and determined to succeed on his own terms.
Skindred
In their 25 years, by their own admission Skindred have “never been massively commercially successful or super-cool”. But with new album Smile they reckon “our time is now”.
The Dust Coda
Taking cues from the big rock of the 60s, 70s and 80s (with a particular nod to GN’R), The Dust Coda are hoping their just-released third album Loco Paradise will excite you listening to it as much as it excited them making it.
Regulars
The Dirt
New exhibition of Brian May’s stereoscopic photographs of Queen; Guns N’ Roses respond to Glastonbury criticism, Welcome back Royal Thunder, Grainne Duffy and Raven, Say hello to Powder Chutes and Gallus, Say goodbye to Mick Hutson, Tony McPhee , Blackie Onassis, Teresa Taylor.
The Story Behind The Song: Rush
Musically Subdivisions was influenced by some of the newer bands they were listening to, and sonically it took Rush further into the world of synthesisers – and not all of the trio were happy about that.
Q&A: Lucinda Williams
The singer-songwriter on post-stroke recovery, losing the ability to play guitar, and the thrill of a Bruce Springsteen cameo.
Reviews
New albums from Greta Van Fleet, Mammoth WVH, Motörhead, Skindred, Girlschool, Voivod, Nils Lofgren, Geese , Strawbs. Reissues from Clutch, The Pineapple Thief, Pete Townshend, John Lee Hooker, Sham 69 , R.E.M., Eric Clapton, Hatebreed, Vandals. DVDs, films and books on Deep Purple, The Eagles, David Bowie, Hignosis. Live reviews of Download, Queens Of The Stone Age, Peter Gabriel, Mötley Cruë, Robert Cray, Jim Jones All Stars.
Buyers' Guide: Myles Kennedy
Myles Kennedy With Alter Bridge, Slash’s Conspirators, solo and more, the vocalist/guitarist has an impressive and still-growing catalogue.
The Soundtrack Of My Life: Nita Strauss
Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss on the records, artists and gigs that are of lasting significance to her.
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