OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Jerry Allison paved the way for the drummer to be an integral part of the Rock 'n' Roll group right at the start... Texas-born Jerry Allison co-wrote some of Rock & Roll's great records when he joined Buddy Holly in the '50s. Songs like...
By Ian Woolley Barry Blue was one of the few artists who never failed to have a chart hit and for two successful years in the ’70s, he was a chart regular but these days it seems, a lot of people have forgotten about Barry. Until now that is. I'm also guessing you are...
So what's in our 2022 August issue of the Beat... As they embark on yet another tour after 60 years in the pop business, the Manfreds make our August cover. Martin Hutchinson catches up with the group on their forthcoming Hits, Jazz and Blues UK tour. Inside this...
The star of the hit musical Grease, Olivia Newton-John has died... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The Award-winning singer and actress died on Monday at the age of 73, after battling breast cancer for over 30 years. One of the most successful singers of all time, she had...
Obituary by Ian Woolley Singer Judith Durham put Australia on the 60's musical map at a time when the Beatles would dominate the world... For a brief time, the Seekers would give the 'fab four' a run for their money and would become the first act from their continent...
OBITUARY by Ian Woolley One of Britain's finest comedy actors Bernard Cribbins has died... The 93-year-old star of film and the small screen was one of Britain's most versatile actors who in 1962 became a surprise novelty chart star. Much has been documented on the...
By Ian Woolley P.P. Arnold has lived through it all. Escaping an abusive marriage and the racism she encountered along the way, this first London Lady of Soul is a true soul survivor... P.P. Arnold's career stretches across more than fifty years of pop and rock ’n’...
So what's inside our 2022 July Beat issue... In another bumper-packed issue of the Beat this month, former Ikette P.P.Arnold makes our front cover. The first 'London Lady of Soul' talks about her new autobiography called Soul Survivor released this month. In our...
By Ian Woolley As the former Beatle turned 80, Paul McCartney can still electrify a new generation of fans... On Saturday, the festival's headlining act Macca delivered what many believed was one of his best performances when he took centre stage on the Pyramid stage...
By Ian Woolley Kate Bush has just beaten Tom Jones's record of making it back to the top of the UK charts after her last chart-topper... It was forty-four years ago since the singer-songwriter last made the top of the charts with Wuthering Heights. The song was all...
By Ian Woolley Farmer Michael Eavis has always stayed close to his roots. Born just down the road to where the world-famous Somerset festival is held, this incredible man has certainly put the village of Pilton on the musical map... 50 YEARS OF GLASTONBURY – PART 1...
So what's inside our 2022 June Beat issue... Alice Cooper makes our front cover as he embarks on his UK tour with The Cult and Creeper. Martin Hutchinson reviews his recent AO Arena show in Manchester last month. Elsewhere in our magazine, with all eyes on Glastonbury...
OBITUARY by Ian Woolley It was announced earlier today by fellow musician John Ford Coley that Jim Seals has died... James (Jim) Seals along with his musical partner, Darrell 'Dash' Crofts was one of the many talented duos to emerge during the seventies. At one time...
OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Andrew 'Fletch' Fletcher, founder of 80's band Depeche Mode has died... It was in 1980 when Andrew formed the synthesizer-based pop group in Basildon Essex along with Vince Clarke. The latter went on to form Erasure with Andy Bell. Other...
OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Oscar-winning Greek composer Vangelis has died... Born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou in1943 in the Greek coastal town of Agria, it was at the age of six when he first gave his first public performance. He was self-taught and during the 60's...
By Ian Woolley The World famous studios this year have again hit the headlines by holding the first solely music photography awards. It's the first award to recognise the art that music photographers have given to so many of the World's musical artists down the...
By Ian Woolley The good news that all Kinks fans in the UK have been waiting for... It's official. Sunday 20th November is set as the date for the postponed get-together for Kinks fans. Official Kinks Fan Club Will Orton has announced that this year's Kast Off Kinks...
So what's inside our 2022 May Beat issue... One of the World's greatest keyboardists, Geoff Downes knows a thing or two about making records, he's also in the Guinness Book of Records! As one half of Buggles, he went on to play in two of the most successful bands to...
Finally, a plaque to honour entertainer Dickie Valentine is unveiled... By Ian Woolley It was 51 years ago today that one of Britain's most popular entertainers died. As a young boy, my parents would make regular monthly visits to the village chapel in Glangrwynney....
Popular Northern Soul and Blues singer Jimmy 'Popeye' Thomas has died... OBITUARY By Ian Woolley Born in Osceola, Arkansas, Thomas was raised by his aunt and uncle. Surrounded by the Blues influence, It was the regular visits by family friend Albert King who played...
After a long-delayed tour due to Covid, Simple Minds dazzled a sold-out Bournemouth BIC with an energetic performance on Friday, April 1st... Without any opening or supporting act, the show started on time with huge enthusiasm from everyone present, considering most...
By Ian Woolley One year since Les McKeown, lead singer of the Bay City Rollers, died unexpectedly at his home aged 65, a unique opportunity for fans to see some of the last professionally taken photos of the star... From his final tour of Japan, is now funding on...
By Ian Woolley Bespoke, deluxe two-disc, four-track 7" single set of Sunday Girl on coloured vinyl, limited edition release exclusively for Record Store Day... Exclusively for Record Store Day (April 23, 2022), Blondie, one of the most influential bands to emerge from...
By Ian Woolley Legendary singer-songwriter Donovan Leitch has chosen his local church in Cork for his first live performance in almost three years. It will coincide with his 76th birthday. Donovan has made Cork in Ireland his home for many years and will launch his...