Dedicated to the Music & Stars of 50s to 80s
Yesterday Hasn’t Gone for Cupid Inspirations’ Terry
The former lead singer's recent album is full of his favorite songs... By Ian Woolley Recently, Terry Rice-Milton released a new album called My World containing twelve classic songs written and composed by some of the best songwriters in the business. Released on the Olive Grove label, Terry tells us why he released it now....
News Beat ➧
Paul Weller To Play With His Favourite Band
Following a BBC interview in 2010 where Paul Weller sites his favourite band as The Zombies and covered one of their hits "Time Of The Season", Paul Weller is finally set to realise his dream and will join the iconic 60’s band on stage at The Barbican 7th June 2024....
Back Beat ➧
Still Flying The Tartan Flag For Bay City Roller Fans
As long as there is Woody, the Bay City Rollers tartan flag will forever fly at full mast... By Ian Woolley As the original guitarist of the Bay City Rollers, 66-year-old Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood is now the only original member of the pin-up 1970s boy band to tour....
Review Beat ➧
Still Belting Out The Hits – The Manfreds
For 60 years and counting, the core of one of the UK's most successful 60s pop groups are still enjoying what they do best and with a vast back catalogue of hits at their disposal, the trio of Jones, d'Abo and McGuinness still deliver... MAXIMUM RHYTHM 'N' BLUES TOUR...
Obituaries ➧
A Life Torn By Tragedy – RIP Sinéad O’Connor
From the moment she was born, the Irish singer's life has been dominated by controversy and battles with mental health problems that resulted from her failed marriages. Now the loss of her son recently had brought those demons to the fore... OBITUARY By Ian Woolley As...
Yesterday Hasn’t Gone for Cupid Inspirations’ Terry
The former lead singer's recent album is full of his favorite songs... By Ian Woolley Recently, Terry Rice-Milton released a new album called My World containing twelve classic songs written and composed by some of the best songwriters in the business. Released on the Olive Grove label, Terry tells us why he released it now....
Print Issues ➧
Trending
News Beat ➧
Paul Weller To Play With His Favourite Band
Following a BBC interview in 2010 where Paul Weller sites his favourite band as The Zombies and covered one of their hits "Time Of The Season", Paul Weller is finally set to realise his dream and will join the iconic 60’s band on stage at The Barbican 7th June 2024....
Back Beat ➧
Still Flying The Tartan Flag For Bay City Roller Fans
As long as there is Woody, the Bay City Rollers tartan flag will forever fly at full mast... By Ian Woolley As the original guitarist of the Bay City Rollers, 66-year-old Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood is now the only original member of the pin-up 1970s boy band to tour....
Review Beat ➧
Still Belting Out The Hits – The Manfreds
For 60 years and counting, the core of one of the UK's most successful 60s pop groups are still enjoying what they do best and with a vast back catalogue of hits at their disposal, the trio of Jones, d'Abo and McGuinness still deliver... MAXIMUM RHYTHM 'N' BLUES TOUR...
Obituaries ➧
A Life Torn By Tragedy – RIP Sinéad O’Connor
From the moment she was born, the Irish singer's life has been dominated by controversy and battles with mental health problems that resulted from her failed marriages. Now the loss of her son recently had brought those demons to the fore... OBITUARY By Ian Woolley As...
Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.
News Beat
The Beat talks with David Hamilton
One of Radio's longest working broadcasters, David 'Diddy' Hamilton talks about his varied and successful career who at the age of 82 is about to embark on a new daily radio show... Many DJs of a certain age would think that it would be time to hang up those...
Limahl’s one wish for Christmas
By Ian Woolley One Wish For Christmas’ is a song that started life some seven years ago for Limahl. The 1980's artist Limahl, known for his time with the UK band Kajagoogoo wanted to release it again last in November. Limahl changed his name with an anagram of his...
New ‘WoolleysBeat’ Podcast
One of our regular columnists Ian Woolley has just launched a podcast where you can listen to many of the featured artists in the Beat... Across 7 platforms, including Anchor and Spotify, listen to the interviews of many of the singers, musicians, and book authors...
David Jensen – for the record, Kid
By Ian Woolley Talking Luxy frolics, Macca on the beach, and fighting Parkinson's... With his new autobiography called Kid Jensen – For The Record, now in the shops, we thought it time to catch up with ‘The Kid’ (as he was christened by fellow DJ and Luxembourg...
Gordon Lightfoot – Canadian National Treasure
By Ian Woolley Reading the mind of a singer-songwriter... Perhaps the most prolific and greatest Canadian singer-songwriter of all time, Gordon Lightfoot is an indelible part of the Canadian national spirit. In 2007, he even had his own postage stamp! Now, with the...
Readers Letters (March 2020)
Some of our March readers Letters to the Editor... Dear Editor All Charts Valid I read with interest Pat Murphy's Country 1960 feature in the March 2020 issue of The Beat. While identifying five chart-topping country recordings, he has done a disservice to another...
John Lennon Statue seeks peace setting
The future of the statue of John Lennon, currently wowing the crowds at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall was in question when the exhibition finished at the end of August... The life-size bronze statue - also displayed at this year’s Glastonbury Festival - shows Lennon...
10 years On – Michael Jackson’s Neverland
JUST 10 years after his death, Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is for sale. Michael’s former Neverland Ranch, now renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch, has had massive price reductions from the original $100 million to $31 million.
The Stones Rolling On
By David Parker The Rolling Stones Rock 'n' Roll circus just goes on and on. Come wind, rain, sun, storms, and tempests... While other artists pack away their instruments after playing in public for the last time, the stones roll on without gathering much moss, it...
John Lodge Tour 2019
Asked why it had taken so long for John to tour on his own, his reply was: ‘I’ve been so busy with my other band.
The Who’s been busy
A special gig that will please Who fans everywhere... The Who singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend are unleashing the combustible force of The Who, with symphonic accompaniment this summer at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday, July 6,...
Suzi Quatro – No Control
By Jim Stewart Even in the highly adrenaline-fuelled music business, it’s rare to find a bundle of energy on a par with Suzi Quatro. The American rock vocalist has successfully worked as a musician for more than 50 years. Delivering with unbridled energy her greatest...
Leo Sayer – Always a Beatles fan
By Ian Woolley As Leo Sayer goes back on the road later this year, he has just released a new album of Beatles classics... It’s been 50 years Leo has been in the pop business and he admits that he still has so much unfinished business. With his curly locks of hair, it...
Here come the Mums – Mother’s Day Special
By Ian Woolley Through the decades of music history, special mothers have made their mark... Having recently interviewed Supreme Mary Wilsons' daughter Turkessa Babich about her mum, it became clear that her mother was no ordinary woman. Mary Wilson put her head...
Ireland’s First Top 10
By Pat Murphy On St.Patrick's Day, we thought we'd mark the 63rd anniversary of the first Irish Top 10... The top 10 in Dublin in 1959 was actually 11. On February 12, 1959, Dublin’s Evening Herald newspaper launched a chart compiled on its behalf by music columnist...
13 Big Musicians & Rock Stars That Vape
The history of vaping is a roller coaster ride that is filled with amazing events. In addition to improvements to vaping devices and changes in regulations, musicians have also paved the way for vapers. Famous musicians have always been linked with cigarettes,...
Dean Friedman – Zooming out of Covid
By Ian Woolley The US-based singer-songwriter has been keeping his fans entertained through lockdown... With the world’s problems making front-page headlines, American singer-songwriter Dean Friedman recently released his 9th studio album that addresses the many new...
Share a cuppa with…Lou Christie
By Jane Quinn Christie talks about Princess Margaret, tumbleweeds, and mistakes... I’ll never forget my first contact with Lou Christie. I gave him my routine spiel and then asked if he would consider sharing a cuppa tea with me. His response was the best I’ve ever...
My Planet Liverpool mentions the Beat
By Ian Woolley Jane Quinn bangs the gong for the Beat in Liverpool magazine... As part of Mighty Quinn Management, Jane has been holding tea parties here at the Beat for a long time now. Regular Beat readers will know that Jane's column appears on page 2 every month...
St. David’s Day Celebrates the Singing Nation
By Ian Woolley Why do so many great singing voices originate from Wales? Remember Richard Llewellyn’s How Green Was My Valley? A line from the 1941 novel about a Welsh mining community at the turn of the 20th century reads “Singing is in my people as sight is in the...
Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.
Back Beat
Behind the mic – Paul Burnett
By Ian Woolley The former Radio Luxembourg and Caroline DJ talks about the pranks of fellow DJ Noel Edmunds, fishing Roller fans out of a lake, and dressing as a chicken... Many disc jockeys harbour a secret ambition to also have a hit record. But Paul Burnett’s...
Showaddywaddy – Still on the Rock n’ Roll road
By Ian Woolley Drummer Romeo Challenger is still banging the drum for Showaddywaddy... Showaddywaddy started out in 1973 and their first hit was in the following year with Hey Rock 'n’ Roll. They have been on the road continuously since then, bringing joy with their...
Maddy Prior – Spans the Years
By Martin Hutchinson Folk legends Steeleye Span are in a celebratory mood as they are about to set off on a 20-date UK tour to commemorate their 50th Anniversary... Many members have come and gone, but vocalist Maddy Prior is still there, as she was back in 1969....
Way back when… Boney M
By Derek Mead Boney M has a complicated background, almost political, and covering many countries. But after a brief introduction, we will move away from that scenario and concentrate solely on their music which, to say the least, is melodic dramatic, and totally...
When it was Cliff versus Elvis
By Pat Murphy If you're of a certain age, you’ll remember when the pre-eminent chart rivalry was between Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley... From the time Elvis came out of the army in early 1960 until the Beatles arrived in 1963, schoolyard debates about pop music...
Breakfast with: Steve Ellis
By Derek Mead Steve is still bringing back the good times... This is a short story about the London-based pop and soul group formed in 1966 and active until 1971. There were five appearances in the UK Singles Chart with Everlasting Love reaching UK No.1 for two weeks...
Martika’s back in town
By James Stewart Making people happy and meeting and greeting, that's Martika's way... One of the brightest stars to emerge during the '80s was Martika, formerly a child actress with a TV series and a role in the movie ‘Annie’ to her credit, who released two...
Share a cuppa tea with Jane and Suzi Quatro
By Jane Quinn Suzi tells us what's new, all about her Happy Days, and love of Scrabble... She is a singer/songwriter/bass player/percussionist/author/actress/radio presenter/poet/trailblazer/multi-instrumentalist/Gemini… She was the first woman to become a major rock...
Behind the mic – Paul Burnett
By Ian Woolley The former Radio Luxembourg and Caroline DJ talks about the pranks of fellow DJ Noel Edmunds, fishing Roller fans out of a lake, and dressing as a chicken... Many disc jockeys harbour a secret ambition to also have a hit record. But Paul Burnett’s...
Showaddywaddy – Still on the Rock n’ Roll road
By Ian Woolley Drummer Romeo Challenger is still banging the drum for Showaddywaddy... Showaddywaddy started out in 1973 and their first hit was in the following year with Hey Rock 'n’ Roll. They have been on the road continuously since then, bringing joy with their...
Maddy Prior – Spans the Years
By Martin Hutchinson Folk legends Steeleye Span are in a celebratory mood as they are about to set off on a 20-date UK tour to commemorate their 50th Anniversary... Many members have come and gone, but vocalist Maddy Prior is still there, as she was back in 1969....
Way back when… Boney M
By Derek Mead Boney M has a complicated background, almost political, and covering many countries. But after a brief introduction, we will move away from that scenario and concentrate solely on their music which, to say the least, is melodic dramatic, and totally...
When it was Cliff versus Elvis
By Pat Murphy If you're of a certain age, you’ll remember when the pre-eminent chart rivalry was between Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley... From the time Elvis came out of the army in early 1960 until the Beatles arrived in 1963, schoolyard debates about pop music...
Breakfast with: Steve Ellis
By Derek Mead Steve is still bringing back the good times... This is a short story about the London-based pop and soul group formed in 1966 and active until 1971. There were five appearances in the UK Singles Chart with Everlasting Love reaching UK No.1 for two weeks...
Martika’s back in town
By James Stewart Making people happy and meeting and greeting, that's Martika's way... One of the brightest stars to emerge during the '80s was Martika, formerly a child actress with a TV series and a role in the movie ‘Annie’ to her credit, who released two...
Share a cuppa tea with Jane and Suzi Quatro
By Jane Quinn Suzi tells us what's new, all about her Happy Days, and love of Scrabble... She is a singer/songwriter/bass player/percussionist/author/actress/radio presenter/poet/trailblazer/multi-instrumentalist/Gemini… She was the first woman to become a major rock...
Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.
Review Beat
The Hollies – The Bobby Elliott Autobiography
By Martin Hutchinson It’s looking like a great year for fans of The Hollies... Not only do they have two UK tours to look forward to – one in the Spring and the other in Autumn – but the long-awaited autobiography of drummer Bobby Elliott has been published. ‘He Ain’t...
Deep Purple – Glenn’s in a purple patch
By Martin Hutchinson Former Deep Purple bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes returns to his homeland to perform his Deep Purple Legacy show... Glenn was poached from the funk-rock band Trapeze in 1973 when just 20 years old, and as bassist and co-lead vocalist with Deep...
Graham Hunter’s Album Picks
By James Stewart Last month Graham Hunter told us of the pleasure and satisfaction compiling retrospective collections that records had given him... Their policy had allowed him to go beyond the regular size sets you would expect for the artists and include one,...
Rob Halford – Confessions of the Metal God
REVIEW Rob Halford’s one-of-a-kind autobiography 'Confess' is to be published in hardback in Autumn, 2020... Rob is the frontman of Judas Priest, one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, with more than 50 million albums sold worldwide. Known as ‘The...
Robin’s son does the Bee Gees
R J Gibb's spectacular new music show is planned to tour the UK... Following in Dad's footsteps, he will be singing his own songs and celebrating the hit songs of his father Robin Gibb and the Bee Gees, with ‘special guests’ performing their own songs and glamorous...
Breakfast with: Allan Clarke – ex Hollies
By Martin Hutchinson Allan Clarke, one of the most distinguished voices in British music history, is set for a dramatic return to the musical frontline – and no one is more than surprised than Allan himself. ‘Resurgence’ is the title of Allan Clarke’s new solo album,...
Gold still glistens on the tours
By Martin Hutchinson The end of the year is replete with great tours, one of which is the annual 60s Gold Tour. This years’ line-up consists of five of the very best from the sixties: Hermans Hermits, The Merseybeats, Marmalade, Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders, and...
The Zombies and others embark on US tour
The Zombies embark on another US tour including a performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland... They join Brian Wilson for a series of concerts featuring The Zombie's original and current line-ups. Cruising in a few months "On The Blue Cruise", is...
The Hollies – The Bobby Elliott Autobiography
By Martin Hutchinson It’s looking like a great year for fans of The Hollies... Not only do they have two UK tours to look forward to – one in the Spring and the other in Autumn – but the long-awaited autobiography of drummer Bobby Elliott has been published. ‘He Ain’t...
Deep Purple – Glenn’s in a purple patch
By Martin Hutchinson Former Deep Purple bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes returns to his homeland to perform his Deep Purple Legacy show... Glenn was poached from the funk-rock band Trapeze in 1973 when just 20 years old, and as bassist and co-lead vocalist with Deep...
Graham Hunter’s Album Picks
By James Stewart Last month Graham Hunter told us of the pleasure and satisfaction compiling retrospective collections that records had given him... Their policy had allowed him to go beyond the regular size sets you would expect for the artists and include one,...
Rob Halford – Confessions of the Metal God
REVIEW Rob Halford’s one-of-a-kind autobiography 'Confess' is to be published in hardback in Autumn, 2020... Rob is the frontman of Judas Priest, one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, with more than 50 million albums sold worldwide. Known as ‘The...
Robin’s son does the Bee Gees
R J Gibb's spectacular new music show is planned to tour the UK... Following in Dad's footsteps, he will be singing his own songs and celebrating the hit songs of his father Robin Gibb and the Bee Gees, with ‘special guests’ performing their own songs and glamorous...
Breakfast with: Allan Clarke – ex Hollies
By Martin Hutchinson Allan Clarke, one of the most distinguished voices in British music history, is set for a dramatic return to the musical frontline – and no one is more than surprised than Allan himself. ‘Resurgence’ is the title of Allan Clarke’s new solo album,...
Gold still glistens on the tours
By Martin Hutchinson The end of the year is replete with great tours, one of which is the annual 60s Gold Tour. This years’ line-up consists of five of the very best from the sixties: Hermans Hermits, The Merseybeats, Marmalade, Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders, and...
The Zombies and others embark on US tour
The Zombies embark on another US tour including a performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland... They join Brian Wilson for a series of concerts featuring The Zombie's original and current line-ups. Cruising in a few months "On The Blue Cruise", is...
Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.
Obituaries
The all round entertainer – RIP Cilla Black
Cilla Black, whose impressive career spanned 50 years has died at her holiday home in Spain, aged 72... OBITUARY by David Parker Cilla had two No.1 singles at the start of her career. Cilla, who often flew to Spain in the summer months, also had homes in London,...
Singing Bluesy pop with ease – RIP Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker’s voice was the stuff of real legends... OBITUARY By David Parker Award-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Joe died of lung cancer at his home in Crawford, Colorado, on December 22, aged 70. His hoarse, bluesy voice and his approach to singing with...
Rocking in heaven – RIP Franny Beecher
Francis ‘Franny’ Beecher, the lead guitarist for Bill Haley and His Comets has died The guitarist died in his sleep last month at a nursing home near Philadelphia. He was 92. Franny played with Benny Goodman and Buddy Greco before joining Bill Haley and His Comets in...
Who can’t forget the keyboards on Light My Fire? – RIP Ray Manzarek
Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founding member of The Doors, who had a dramatic impact on rock `n’ roll, has died aged 74, in Rosenheim, Germany.
Manzarek founded The Doors after meeting Jim Morrison in California. The band became one of the most successful rock `n’ roll acts to emerge from the 1960s.
Making them glad all over – RIP Rick Huxley
Rick Huxley, one of the founding members of 1960s chart stars The Dave Clark Five, has died suddenly at the age of 72.
The Trogg wild man was colourful and lovable – RIP Reg Presley
Readers of The Beat would definitely join me in remembering the great singer and songwriter and performer who gave us the first taste of a different slant on rock and roll.
RIP Patti Page
The “Singing Rage” who sang one of the first hit records of the Top Twenty era, Tennessee Waltz, and made it one of the best-selling recordings ever, died on New Year’s Day in California, aged 85.
The all round entertainer – RIP Cilla Black
Cilla Black, whose impressive career spanned 50 years has died at her holiday home in Spain, aged 72... OBITUARY by David Parker Cilla had two No.1 singles at the start of her career. Cilla, who often flew to Spain in the summer months, also had homes in London,...
Singing Bluesy pop with ease – RIP Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker’s voice was the stuff of real legends... OBITUARY By David Parker Award-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Joe died of lung cancer at his home in Crawford, Colorado, on December 22, aged 70. His hoarse, bluesy voice and his approach to singing with...
Rocking in heaven – RIP Franny Beecher
Francis ‘Franny’ Beecher, the lead guitarist for Bill Haley and His Comets has died The guitarist died in his sleep last month at a nursing home near Philadelphia. He was 92. Franny played with Benny Goodman and Buddy Greco before joining Bill Haley and His Comets in...
Who can’t forget the keyboards on Light My Fire? – RIP Ray Manzarek
Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founding member of The Doors, who had a dramatic impact on rock `n’ roll, has died aged 74, in Rosenheim, Germany.
Manzarek founded The Doors after meeting Jim Morrison in California. The band became one of the most successful rock `n’ roll acts to emerge from the 1960s.
Making them glad all over – RIP Rick Huxley
Rick Huxley, one of the founding members of 1960s chart stars The Dave Clark Five, has died suddenly at the age of 72.
The Trogg wild man was colourful and lovable – RIP Reg Presley
Readers of The Beat would definitely join me in remembering the great singer and songwriter and performer who gave us the first taste of a different slant on rock and roll.
RIP Patti Page
The “Singing Rage” who sang one of the first hit records of the Top Twenty era, Tennessee Waltz, and made it one of the best-selling recordings ever, died on New Year’s Day in California, aged 85.