By Ian Woolley The Stones launch a limited edition ‘It's Only Rock 'n' Roll’ red vinyl... Tonight at 6 pm, The Rolling Stones will launch a limited edition ‘Stones Red’ vinyl of their chart-topping, critically acclaimed album ‘IT’S ONLY ROCK N ROLL’. Only 1,000 copies...
Ian McDonald, founder member of rock groups King Crimson and Foreigner has died... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The multi-instrumentalist had huge success with both bands he co-founded. With King Crimson initially, he played keyboards and saxophone on their debut album....
By Ian Woolley There are not many of us lead singers left but at least those of us that remain are still making a noise... As a bass player of one of Glam rock’s most successful bands of the ’70s, John Springate tasted success much earlier. Now with a new album out,...
By Ian Woolley Hazel O'Connor shows signs of improvement on her long road her recovery... Hazel O’Connor’s brother has given an update on the singer-songwriter’s health after she was admitted to a French hospital in January following a “serious medical event”. In a...
By Ian Woolley A special day and tribute to Irish music promoter Frank Murray held in London... On 5th February 2022, a special day was held at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith to commemorate the late Pogues manager who died in December. A unique statue...
So what's inside our 2022 February Beat issue... With the approach of Valentine's Day, we thought we'd sprinkle our magazine with a few love stories gleaned from the singers themselves. We asked a few what love meant to them personally and how that magical four-letter...
By Ian Woolley Tomorrow The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London presents a concert celebrating the life and times of the late, great Frank Murray... Christine Tobin and The Lost Brothers will perform at the Irish Cultural Centre on the evening of February...
Mark Shaw has some intimate gigs coming up which should please Then Jerico fans everywhere... By Ian Woolley We recently spoke with an upbeat Mark Shaw on what it's like to be stepping (treading carefully this time) back onto the stage once again. With some intimate...
by Ian Woolley Marty talks about his love for his family and somewhere close to my heart, Abergavenny... On the tail end of his recent tour at the age of 80, I met up with Marty in the town of Wimborne in Dorset. It seems fate that our paths should cross. Back in the...
By Ian Woolley The fake news debate continues... One of the legends of 70's rock has withdrawn his total back catalogue from the streaming giant Spotify. It's sparked a fresh debate whether controversial podcasts and the furor of fake news should stand next to just...
By Ian Woolley Veteran DJ Mike Read presents a new music show for TV... Featuring lots of stars that feature in many Radio Heritage Charts, it comes as welcome news to viewers and music fans who have been starved of seeing artists perform during these pandemic times....
Breakfast with: Nicky Stevens – Brotherhood of Man.
With the 64th Eurovision Song Contest looming, I thought it was time to look back some 43 years to the UK’s biggest success story of the competition.
By Ian Woolley Talking about the art of songwriting and that famous court case with rapper Biz Markie... "Gilbert is ready for you now," said Clair at the stage door as I entered the Cadogan Hall in London's Sloane Square. I wondered if it was the same Clair he sang...
Bat out of Hell singer Marvin Lee Aday, better known as Meatloaf has died... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The actor and singer, born Marvin Lee Aday but later legally known as Michael, died on 20th January with his wife Deborah Gillespie by his side his agent confirmed....
By Ian Woolley A new documentary film about The Beach Boys co-founder will be released in UK cinemas on 21st January 2022... The film charts Wilson's early life and career through the fly on the wall footage and intimate interviews. First premiering at the Tribeca...
By Ian Woolley Sky has today revealed a trailer for a highly-anticipated documentary Janet Jackson... The four-part documentary, produced by Workerbee (a Banijay UK company) and co-produced by AEC (Associated Entertainment Corporation), explores in her own words the...
By Ian Woolley Osibisa founder and leader Teddy Osei is bringing his band into the 21st Century... Godfathers of Afro-rock, and the first-ever African band to make it at The Marquee Club. After two sell-out gigs at Ronnie Scott's last weekend, it's time we caught up...
By Jim Stewart The original soul diva and rapping Bob Dylan. Yes really... The mid-sixties was a boom time for Soul Music in the UK. Tamla Motown and Stax were becoming the dominant sounds, opening the door for R&B artists galore to be picked up by promoters and...
By Ian Woolley After being initially rejected by a judge, Spencer Elden has refiled his lawsuit... Elden who is now 30 years of age, appeared on Nirvana's iconic 1991 album cover. As a naked swimming baby holding a dollar bill, the plaintiff cited that the photo...
Motown's first white singer and songwriter was so underrated... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The Canadian singer and songwriter auditioned and signed for Berry Gordy's record label in 1964. At the time he was the first white artist on their books. He become part of what...
By Ian Woolley A concert celebrating the life and times of the late, great Frank Murray... Frank had lived life to the full. As road manager to some of the biggest acts, a special day is planned to celebrate his life and you can be part of it. Murray was former road...
The lead singer of the Ronettes, Ronnie Spector has died... OBITUARY By Ian Woolley As the lead singer of the 60's girl group, they found success with catchy hits including Be My Baby, Walking In The Rain, and Baby I Love You. Born in 1943, Veronica Yvette Bennett was...
By Ian Woolley Sweet's only surviving member talks Glam Rock, nearly getting banned on Top Of The Pops, and how Marc Bolan changed their look... Following on with bands that were formed in 1971, we had to include one of the most successful bands to come out of the...
One of the founders of Woodstock, Michael Lang has died... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley As the organiser and co-creator of Woodstock which first took place in 1969, Lang planned to hold a 50th anniversary of the famous festival. Originally called the Woodstock Music and...