Classic Rock Issue 336 (February 2025) Rush: 50

Classic Rock Issue 336 (February 2025) Rush: 50

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first issue of 2025. (I can’t believe I’m typing that!) And to kick off what we’re hoping will be a very good year – and seriously, there’s a shedload of excellent stuff to look forward to, just check out our preview over the next few pages – we collared Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to look back over the last 50 years of their band, and find out just what they have planned to celebrate the occasion.

This issue we also revisit Metallica’s S&M as it celebrates its silver jubilee, take a deep dive into the post-Jim Morrison albums of The Doors, sit down with Sweet’s Andy Scott, hang out with Mark Tremonti, Andy Fairweather Low, Joe Satriani, DeWolff and so much more.

Until next month…
Sian Llewellyn

Features

Rush - Celebrating half a century since their debut, in a Classic Rock exclusive, we sat down with Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson at the end of 2024 to talk about their 50-year journey from there to here – and whether the Canadian prog rock legends will ever return to the studio or stage.

The Doors - The death of Jim Morrison in 1971 looked like it marked the end of the road for the band. But his bandmates had other ideas.

DeWolff - It was sweet home Alabama when the retro-rock flag bearers recorded their new album at two legendary studios there.

Sweet - Guitarist Andy Scott looks back at good times and bad, and hints that it’s not over for the Ballroom Blitzers yet.

Mark Tremonti - Take care of business. Quit your comfort zone. Don’t listen to rock journalists. Never forget you could still be washing cars. These are among the things that shape his world view.

Metallica - How did the world’s leading metal band come to team up with – shock, horror – an orchestra to make an album?

Regulars

The Dirt - Jeff Beck’s guitars up for auction; Metallica and Judas Priest among Grammy nominees, Sammy Hagar “wants to be friends” with Alex Van Halen; Welcome back Night Flight Orchestra and Benjamin Booker; Say hello to Lions In The Street and Stephen Wilson Jr; Say goodbye to Shel Talmy, Pete Sinfield.

The Stories Behind The Songs: Styx - A song about being picked up and taken away by aliens, Come Sail Away gave the band a career boost and eventually took on a life of its own.

Q&A: Joe Satriani - The virtuoso’s virtuoso on G3 pranking, handling Yngwie Malmsteen, and the Halloween costume he’d rather forget.

The Hot List - We look at some of the essential new tracks you need to hear and the artists to have on your radar. This month they include The Struts, Orianthi, Himalayas, Dirty Blonde and more.

Reviews - New albums from Manic Street Preachers, DeWolff, Tremonti, Pete Townshend & Rachel Fuller, White Denim, Lambrini Girls, Julian Cope, Franz Ferdinand, FaithNYC, Cosmic Room 99. Reissues from Twisted Sister, Bush, King Crimson, Rival Sons, Sparks, Band Of Skulls, John Wetton, T.Rex, Pitchshifter, War. DVDs, films and books on or by Rush, Slade, Paul McCartney, Placebo, Dave Barbarossa and more. Live reviews of Deep Purple, Wildhearts, Big Country, Von Hertzen Brothers, Michael Monroe, Anthrax and more.

Buyers Guide: Tom Morello - He’s best known as the guitarist with Rage Against The Machine, but there’s much more of his playing to marvel at than that.

Lives - We preview tours by Brothers Osborne, Bullet For My Valentine and Cutting Crew. Plus gig listings – who’s playing where and when.

The Soundtrack Of My Life: The Struts - The Struts frontman Luke Spiller on his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance.