Author: wamdiness

The Ramones stormed onto the music scene from the gritty streets of Forest Hills, Queens, New York, where four friends—Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone—united in 1974, sharing a vision to strip rock music back to its raw, powerful core. The band quickly became a staple at the legendary club CBGB, galvanizing audiences with their fast, no-frills performances and becoming central figures in the burgeoning punk rock movement. Their minimalist approach was revolutionary, with concise songs, high-speed tempos, and straightforward lyrics that defied the overly produced rock trends of their time.

Over their influential 22-year career, the Ramones released fourteen studio albums, beginning with their groundbreaking self-titled debut in 1976. Although commercial success eluded them initially, the band gained critical acclaim and built a fiercely loyal fanbase. Notable releases included “Rocket to Russia,” “Road to Ruin,” and “End of the Century,” each showcasing their signature blend of aggressive yet melodic punk. Iconic singles like “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” “Rockaway Beach,” and “I Wanna Be Sedated” became punk anthems, resonating across generations and solidifying their legacy.

Despite their initial lack of mainstream commercial success, the Ramones were widely recognized for their profound impact on music history. In 2002, their lasting influence and musical contributions were officially honored when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additionally, the Ramones earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, underscoring their enduring significance within the music industry and highlighting the respect they garnered from both peers and subsequent musical generations.

The Ramones’ unique appeal lay in their unpretentious, authentic approach to music and performance. Their dedication to simplicity, combined with their relentless touring schedule—playing 2,263 concerts over their career—earned them deep admiration from fans worldwide. They maintained an unwavering commitment to their musical style, never yielding to commercial pressures to alter their distinctive sound, a decision that has made them revered as true pioneers and cultural icons.

Beyond music, the Ramones extended their influence into popular culture in unexpected and lasting ways. Their iconic logo and fashion style—black leather jackets, ripped jeans, and sneakers—became synonymous with punk’s visual identity. Additionally, the band’s imagery and music were featured prominently in numerous films, television shows, and other media, broadening their cultural footprint and further embedding them into popular consciousness.

The Ramones also ventured into social advocacy and community involvement. Joey Ramone, notably active in raising awareness and funds for lymphoma research, established a legacy of philanthropy through initiatives like the annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash, a charity event supporting medical research. These endeavors demonstrated the band’s profound personal commitments and reinforced their reputation as musicians who genuinely cared about making a positive impact.

Ultimately, the Ramones remain beloved in the music business for their revolutionary role in shaping punk rock, their unwavering authenticity, and their cultural legacy that continues to inspire artists across genres. Their groundbreaking music, tireless energy, and genuine spirit ensure they will always hold a revered place in the annals of rock history.

Complete List Of Ramones Songs From A to Z

1. 53rd & 3rd – Ramones – 1976
2. 7 and 7 Is – Acid Eaters – 1993
3. 7-11 – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
4. A Real Cool Time – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
5. All Screwed Up – Brain Drain – 1989
6. All the Way – End of the Century – 1980
7. All’s Quiet on the Eastern Front – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
8. Animal Boy – Animal Boy – 1986
9. Anxiety – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
10. Apeman Hop – Animal Boy – 1986
11. Babysitter – All the Stuff (And More) Volume One – 1990
12. Baby, I Love You – End of the Century – 1980
13. Bad Brain – Road to Ruin – 1978
14. Beat on the Brat – Ramones – 1976
15. Blitzkrieg Bop – Ramones – 1976
16. Bop ‘Til You Drop – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
17. Born to Die in Berlin – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
18. Bumming Along – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
19. Bye Bye Baby – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
20. Cabbies on Crack – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
21. California Sun – Leave Home – 1977
22. California Sun (Live) – All the Stuff (And More) Volume One – 1990
23. Can’t Get You Outta My Mind – Brain Drain – 1989
24. Can’t Seem to Make You Mine – Acid Eaters – 1993
25. Carbona Not Glue – Leave Home – 1977
26. Censorshit – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
27. Chain Saw – Ramones – 1976
28. Chasing the Night – Too Tough to Die – 1984
29. Chinese Rock – End of the Century – 1980
30. Chop Suey – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
31. Come Back, Baby – Brain Drain – 1989
32. Come Back, She Cried aka I Walk Out – Road to Ruin – 1978
33. Come On Now – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
34. Commando – Leave Home – 1977
35. Cretin Family – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
36. Cretin Hop – Rocket to Russia – 1977
37. Crummy Stuff – Animal Boy – 1986
38. Danger Zone – Too Tough to Die – 1984
39. Danny Says – End of the Century – 1980
40. Daytime Dilemma (Dangers of Love) – Too Tough to Die – 1984
41. Death of Me – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
42. Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio? – End of the Century – 1980
43. Do You Wanna Dance? – Rocket to Russia – 1977
44. Don’t Bust My Chops – Brain Drain – 1989
45. Don’t Come Close – Road to Ruin – 1978
46. Don’t Go – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
47. Durango 95 – Too Tough to Die – 1984
48. Eat That Rat – Animal Boy – 1986
49. Endless Vacation – Too Tough to Die – 1984
50. Everytime I Eat Vegetables It Makes Me Think of You – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
51. Freak of Nature – Animal Boy – 1986
52. Garden of Serenity – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
53. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment – Leave Home – 1977
54. Glad to See You Go – Leave Home – 1977
55. Go Lil’ Camaro Go – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
56. Go Mental – Road to Ruin – 1978
57. Got a Lot to Say – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
58. Hair of the Dog – Animal Boy – 1986
59. Have a Nice Day – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
60. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? – Acid Eaters – 1993
61. Havana Affair – Ramones – 1976
62. Heidi Is a Headcase – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
63. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow – Rocket to Russia – 1977
64. High Risk Insurance – End of the Century – 1980
65. Highest Trails Above – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
66. Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La) – Too Tough to Die – 1984
67. Humankind – Too Tough to Die – 1984
68. I Believe in Miracles – Brain Drain – 1989
69. I Can’t Be – All the Stuff (And More) Volume One – 1990
70. I Can’t Control Myself – Acid Eaters – 1993
71. I Can’t Get You Out of My Mind – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
72. I Can’t Give You Anything – Rocket to Russia – 1977
73. I Can’t Make It on Time – End of the Century – 1980
74. I Don’t Care – Rocket to Russia – 1977
75. I Don’t Want to Grow Up – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
76. I Don’t Want to Live This Life (Anymore) – All the Stuff (And More) Volume 2 – 1990
77. I Don’t Want You – Road to Ruin – 1978
78. I Don’t Wanna Be Learned/I Don’t Wanna Be Tamed – All the Stuff (And More) Volume One – 1990
79. I Don’t Wanna Go Down to the Basement – Ramones – 1976
80. I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You – Ramones – 1976
81. I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You (Live) – All the Stuff (And More) Volume One – 1990
82. I Just Want to Have Something to Do – Road to Ruin – 1978
83. I Know Better Now – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
84. I Lost My Mind – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
85. I Love You – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
86. I Need Your Love – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
87. I Remember You – Leave Home – 1977
88. I Want You Around – Road to Ruin – 1978
89. I Want You Around – End of the Century – 1980
90. I Want You Around (Original Version) – All the Stuff (And More) Volume 2 – 1990
91. I Wanted Everything – Road to Ruin – 1978
92. I Wanna Be Sedated – Road to Ruin – 1978
93. I Wanna Be Well – Rocket to Russia – 1977
94. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend – Ramones – 1976
95. I Wanna Live – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
96. I Won’t Let It Happen – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
97. I’m Affected – End of the Century – 1980
98. I’m Against It – Road to Ruin – 1978
99. I’m Not Afraid of Life – Too Tough to Die – 1984
100. I’m Not an Answer – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
101. I’m Not an Answer – Too Tough to Die – 1984
102. I’m Not Jesus – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
103. Ignorance Is Bliss – Brain Drain – 1989
104. In the Park – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
105. Indian Giver – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
106. It’s a Long Way Back – Road to Ruin – 1978
107. It’s a Long Way Back to Germany – Rocket to Russia – 1977
108. It’s Gonna Be Alright – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
109. It’s Not for Me to Know – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
110. It’s Not My Place (In the 9 to 5 World) – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
111. Journey to the Center of the Mind – Acid Eaters – 1993
112. Judy Is a Punk – Ramones – 1976
113. Kicks to Try – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
114. Learn to Listen – Brain Drain – 1989
115. Let’s Dance – Ramones – 1976
116. Let’s Go – End of the Century – 1980
117. Life’s a Gas – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
118. Listen to My Heart – Ramones – 1976
119. Little Bit O’ Soul – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
120. Locket Love – Rocket to Russia – 1977
121. Loudmouth – Ramones – 1976
122. Love Kills – Animal Boy – 1986
123. Main Man – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
124. Makin Monsters for My Friends – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
125. Mama’s Boy – Too Tough to Die – 1984
126. Mental Hell – Animal Boy – 1986
127. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight) – Brain Drain – 1989
128. My Back Pages – Acid Eaters – 1993
129. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg) – Animal Boy – 1986
130. My-My Kind of a Girl – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
131. My-My Kind of Girl – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
132. Needles and Pins – Road to Ruin – 1978
133. Needles & Pins – Rocket to Russia – 1977
134. New Girl in Town – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
135. No Go – Too Tough to Die – 1984
136. No One to Blame – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
137. Now I Wanna Be a Good Boy – Leave Home – 1977
138. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue – Ramones – 1976
139. Oh Oh I Love Her So – Leave Home – 1977
140. Out of Here – Too Tough to Die – 1984
141. Out of Time – Acid Eaters – 1993
142. Outsider – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
143. Palisades Park – Brain Drain – 1989
144. Pet Sematary – Brain Drain – 1989
145. Pet Sematary (Bill Laswell version) – Brain Drain – 1989
146. Pinhead – Leave Home – 1977
147. Planet Earth 1988 – Too Tough to Die – 1984
148. Poison Heart – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
149. Psycho Therapy – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
150. Punishment Fits the Crime – Brain Drain – 1989
151. Questioningly – Road to Ruin – 1978
152. R.A.M.O.N.E.S. – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
153. Ramona – Rocket to Russia – 1977
154. Rock ‘n’ Roll High School – Road to Ruin – 1978
155. Rock ‘n’ Roll High School – End of the Century – 1980
156. Rockaway Beach – Rocket to Russia – 1977
157. Roots of Hatred – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
158. Scattergun – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
159. She Belongs to Me – Animal Boy – 1986
160. She Talks to Rainbows – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
161. She’s a Sensation – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
162. She’s the One – Road to Ruin – 1978
163. Sheena Is a Punk Rocker – Rocket to Russia – 1977
164. Sitting in My Room – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
165. Sleeping Troubles – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
166. Slug – Rocket to Russia – 1977
167. Slug – All the Stuff (And More) Volume 2 – 1990
168. Smash You – Too Tough to Die – 1984
169. Somebody Like Me – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
170. Somebody Put Something in My Drink – Animal Boy – 1986
171. Somebody to Love – Acid Eaters – 1993
172. Something to Believe In – Animal Boy – 1986
173. Spiderman – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
174. Spiderman – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
175. Stares in This Town – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
176. Strength to Endure – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
177. Street Fighting Man – Too Tough to Die – 1984
178. Substitute – Acid Eaters – 1993
179. Surf City – Acid Eaters – 1993
180. Surfin’ Bird – Rocket to Russia – 1977
181. Surfin’ Safari – Acid Eaters – 1993
182. Suzy Is a Headbanger – Leave Home – 1977
183. Swallow My Pride – Leave Home – 1977
184. Take It as It Comes – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
185. Take the Pain Away – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
186. Teenage Lobotomy – Rocket to Russia – 1977
187. The Crusher – ¡Adios Amigos! – 1995
188. The Job That Ate My Brain – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
189. The KKK Took My Baby Away – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
190. The Return of Jackie and Judy – End of the Century – 1980
191. The Shape of Things to Come – Acid Eaters – 1993
192. This Ain’t Havana – End of the Century – 1980
193. This Business Is Killing Me – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
194. Time Bomb – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
195. Time Has Come Today – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
196. Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World – Ramones – 1976
197. Tomorrow She Goes Away – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
198. Too Tough to Die – Too Tough to Die – 1984
199. Touring – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
200. Touring – Mondo Bizarro – 1992
201. Unhappy Girl – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
202. Wart Hog – Too Tough to Die – 1984
203. We Want the Airwaves – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
204. We’re a Happy Family – Rocket to Russia – 1977
205. Weasel Face – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
206. What’d Ya Do? – Subterranean Jungle – 1983
207. What’s Your Game – Leave Home – 1977
208. When I Was Young – Acid Eaters – 1993
209. Why Is It Always This Way? – Rocket to Russia – 1977
210. Worm Man – Halfway to Sanity – 1987
211. Yea, Yea – Road to Ruin – 1978
212. Yea, Yea – All the Stuff (And More) Volume 2 – 1990
213. You Didn’t Mean Anything to Me – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
214. You Should Have Never Opened That Door – Leave Home – 1977
215. You Sound Like You’re Sick – Pleasant Dreams – 1981
216. You’re Gonna Kill That Girl – Leave Home – 1977
217. Zero Zero UFO – Brain Drain – 1989

Albums

Ramones (1976): 14 songs

Leave Home (1977): 14 songs

Rocket to Russia (1977): 17 songs

Road to Ruin (1978): 16 songs

End of the Century (1980): 13 songs

Pleasant Dreams (1981): 19 songs

Subterranean Jungle (1983): 19 songs

Too Tough to Die (1984): 17 songs

Animal Boy (1986): 12 songs

Halfway to Sanity (1987): 12 songs

Brain Drain (1989): 13 songs

All the Stuff (And More) Volume One (1990): 5 songs (not previously released)

All the Stuff (And More) Volume 2 (1990): 4 songs (not previously released)

Mondo Bizarro (1992): 14 songs

Acid Eaters (1993): 13 songs

¡Adios Amigos! (1995): 15 songs

Check out our fantastic and entertaining Ramones articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com

Complete List Of Ramones Albums And Songs

Complete List Of The Ramones Band Members

The Songs Of Ramones Drummer Richie Ramone

11 Essential Ramones Songs

When The Ramones Appeared On “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.”

Top 10 Ramones Albums

Ramones We’re Outta Here! Film Review

Queens Museum Pays Tribute To The Ramones With Exhibition

Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com

Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory

Complete List Of Ramones Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025

Having confirmed themselves as one of the most exciting British metal bands of their generation with last year’s exquisite debut album, Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell, the hype around Heriot shows no signs of abating. With a headline UK tour due to kick off this month, we sat down with frontwoman Debbie Gough for a quick catch-up to chat being BFFs with Slipknot, guitar shop toilet disasters and more.

Heriot have certainly had a wild few years. What’s the most starstruck you’ve been?

“We watched Slipknot side-stage at Graspop. It was such a weird scenario, because we were getting ready to leave the festival, and suddenly I got a message from V-Man [bassist Alessandro Venturella], saying, ‘I’ve got passes for you and your camp if you want to watch us.’ They gave us a tour of the stage and introduced us to everybody. That felt so crazy!”

Slipknot are fans, then?

“Well, V-Man is. Ha ha ha! I’m not sure about the others.”

What’s the worst show you’ve ever played?

“We did one where everything seemed to go wrong. I started screaming and the front row was shouting at me, ‘Your mic’s not on!’ We had to restart, then my guitar strap broke. For whatever reason I didn’t have my spare guitar onstage. There was a door side-stage to get to your gear, and it was locked. I had to do the foot-on-the-monitor thing and hold my guitar up the entire show. It was miserable!”

We’ve seen a lot of people wearing Heriot shirts at gigs in the UK. But have you ever seen someone wearing your merch in an unexpected place?

“I did see someone in a pub in London in a Heriot cap, but I was really weird about it. Ha ha! I didn’t want to do that thing of, ‘Hey, nice cap!’, so I kind of went the other way because I was like, ‘I don’t know what to say!’ Then I felt really bad about it! But I’m sure they weren’t bothered at all. I just thought, ‘I don’t want this person to feel like they have to talk to me.’”

Your guitarist, Erhan Alman, once said Heriot don’t have any metal on their songwriting playlist. Is that true?

“He might not! For Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell, I had a playlist of Nails, Oathbreaker, Power Trip, Billie Eilish, Wand, Sophie and Labrinth.”

In 2023 you did a Jackson Guitars advert with Marty Friedman, Misha Mansoor, Dave Davidson and the like. Did you learn anything playing alongside those master guitarists?

“It was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever been a part of. Marty Friedman, zero ego. He just wanted to talk about, like, ‘Who are your favourite guitarists? What are you listening to?’ And he has such an insane right-hand picking technique! His guitar didn’t have a tremolo arm on, but he didn’t need one! He just bent the strings like that himself. That was crazy.”

You used to work in a guitar shop in Birmingham. Any fun stories from your time there?

“Somebody did a very, very violent shit up our window one day. It was the most explosive diarrhoea you’ve ever seen in your entire life! Ha ha ha! And there were bracelets in the pile of poo. It was like cow shit, or the mud at Download last year.”

Bracelets?!

I presume somebody must have had them on their wrist and then, in their distress of having to shit at the window, probably threw their arms down.”

So you didn’t actually see this happen?

“This is the next bit of the story! I logged into the CCTV and I went through the entire day and the entire night before, and I couldn’t see anything! I spent so long trying to find the culprit and I could not find him!”

Who cleaned it, in the end?

“My workmate did. He got the bleach bucket out and did it himself. What’s funny is my boyfriend works for a drum company, so he knew our shop really well. Before he started working there, he wouldn’t believe me when I’d come home and tell stories like this. Then, when he started dealing with our shop, he was like, ‘Oh my god…’ Ha ha ha!”

We were so hoping you were going to say this is how you met. That would have tied this all together in such a lovely bow.

“I’m afraid not. Ha ha ha!”

Heriot’s UK tour kicks off this month. Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell is out now via Century Media. They also play Bloodstock and 2000 Trees festivals this month

Sum 41 have released a cover version of Rage Against The Machine‘s 1999 hit single Sleep Now In The Fire.

The Canadian punk heroes drew the curtain on their career in January of this year, wrapping up a lengthy farewell tour in their home country.

But they have also treated fans with a couple of new recordings for the Spotify Singles series – the RATM cover and a new version of Landmines, the song originally released on 2024 album Heaven :x: Hell.

In a statement, Sum 41 say: “Recording these Spotify Singles has been an incredible way to celebrate with our fans around the world. We’re so grateful for their support and excited to share this special session with everyone.”

Sleep Now In The Fire was released as the second single from Rage Against The Machine’s 1999 album The Battle of Los Angeles. It was accompanied by an iconic video, directed by politically outspoken documentary maker Michael Moore.

The video sees the band performing in front of the New York Stock Exchange, resulting in Moore being arrested and the band members entering the building before the Stock Exchange’s titanium riot doors came crashing down.

It became headline news, with conservative commentators lining up to criticise Rage Against The Machine. It was even referenced in the presidential debate that evening, with future President George W. Bush angrily condemning their actions.

Guitarist Tom Morello later said of the video and the controversy: “In retrospect it felt like a historic victory against evil. It was a pretty spectacular, historic rock’n’roll thing we made. They don’t make them like that anymore.”

Rare audio of prog icons Yes playing a version of The Beatles‘ Eleanor Rigby has emerged online. The recording, which was made in February 1969 during sessions at Polydor Studios in London with producer John Anthony, was uploaded to YouTube late last week.

“This particular recording has never been publicly released before,” reports YouTuber Ian Hartley, who uploaded the track. “Here is the first (failed) take of the ER run-throughs as recorded in raw form at the time. Apart from some speed correction, no remastering was done to the master tapes.”

Harley, who describes himself as a “60-something Bootleg record collector and classic rock fan interested in coloured vinyl records of all sorts,” and uses the ‘pig’ logo of famed Californian bootleg label Trademark Of Quality as his avatar, says that the release of further such recordings may follow.

The performance finds Yes upping the original’s tempo significantly, with a lengthy psychedelic intro from guitarist Peter Banks and keyboardist Tony Kaye giving way to Chris Squire’s rumbling bass and a short vocal from Jon Anderson, before the singer calls a halt to proceedings just before the two-minute mark.

The precise origins of the recording remain unclear, although in 2009 Bonhams auction house in London listed a tape recorded with John Anthony on February 14, 1969, that included three other songs: a cover of Stephen Stills’ Everydays, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s Something’s Coming, and Dear Father.

Yes signed to Atlantic Records in March 1969 and released their self-titled debut four months later. None of the songs known to have been recorded during the sessions with Anthony made the final tracklist, although versions of Everydays, Something’s Coming and Dear Father appeared as b-sides of Yes’s first three single releases.

According to the YesFans forum, there are three known recordings of Yes playing Eleanor Rigby in the studio, although none have been officially released.

Let’s be honest, rock concert films can be a bit hit or miss. But one that definitely hit is Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii. And now it’s back, with a new revamped, remixed version coming to cinemas next month.

To celebrate the release of Pink Floyd At Pompeii MCMLXXII (note no ‘Live’ and the added numerals), we talked with Floyd drummer Nick Mason and the man behind the new mix, Steven Wilson, about the new version, how it fits into Pink Floyd’s decadeslong legacy, and also how the original film came to be made.

The new issue also includes two Pink Floyd gifts: an official laptop sticker and a giant film poster (available to all subscribers, all online purchasers and at UK newsstands).

Elsewhere, we have a chat with The Darkness as they release their new Dreams On Toast LP, and look back at the making of two very different albums of the 80s – namely Gary Moore’s Run For Cover and Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet. And there’s much more…

Sadly, we lost a fair few rock icons to the great gig in the sky this month. We learned of the passing of The Damned’s Brian James just before we went to press, and will pay tribute to him next issue.

Get the new issue of Classic Rock

Features

Pink Floyd
With a new updated version about to hit cinemas, we look back at the making of Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii, with recollections from drummer Nick Mason, director Adrian Maben and more.

Steven Wilson
Mr Busy on his new solo album, the wonder of space, being a control freak, being prog (or not), Porcupine Tree and more.

Bon Jovi
With the way paved by monster hit Livin’ On A Prayer, Slippery When Wet propelled the band to superstardom.

Smith/Kotzen
Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and one-time shredder Richie Kotzen’s joint musical venture is no vanity project.

Gary Moore
After leaving Thin Lizzy he made some creditable solo albums in the 80s, then he struck rock gold with Run For Cover.

The Darkness
Defiance makes them the eccentrics that they are, as demonstrated on new album Dreams On Toast.

Envy Of None
Second time’s a charm for Rush’s Alex Lifeson as he returns with a new album alongside his collaborators in Envy Of None.

Goo Goo Dolls
As A Boy Named Goo turns 30, the band tell the story of the album that took them from alt.rock to the mainstream.

---

---

Regulars

The Dirt
Ozzy Osbourne will do “little bits and pieces” at Black Sabbath’s Villa Park show; Bad Company and The Black Crowes among Hall Of Fame 2025 nominees; Iron Maiden and Motörhead miss out again; Welcome back Lacuna Coil and Bumblefoot; Say hello to Himalayas and Sons Of Silver; Say goodbye to David Johansen, Rick Buckler, Joey Molland and more.

The Stories Behind The Songs: Bush
A song that its writer at first thought he’d ripped off from someone else’s, Glycerine became their biggest US hit and helped its parent album Sixteen Stone sell more than five million copies.

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 Samantha Fish, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, When Rivers Meet, The Rattlebacks, The Blue Stones and more.

Reviews
New albums from Masters Of Reality, Smith/Kotzen, Those Damn Crows, Envy Of None, Amplifier, Don Airey, Gotthard, L.A. Guns, Simon McBride; Reissues from Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes, Rush, Dio, Yes, Fleetwood Mac, Motörhead, Big Big Train, Pete Townshend; DVDs, films and books on Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, The Yardbirds; Live reviews of Uriah Heep, Beth Hart, Opeth, Frank Black, The Godfathers and more.

Buyer’s Guide: Pretenders
Pulling together strands of various music styles, Chrissie Hynde steered the regularly changing band to deserved major success.

Lives
We preview tours by Asia, Kula Shaker and Tygers Of Pan Tang. Plus gig listings – who’s playing where and when.

The Soundtrack Of My Life: Simon McBride
Deep Purple guitarist and solo artist Simon McBride picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance.

* Copies of the new issue of Classic Rock can be purchased online from Magazines Direct

* Classic Rock is on sale in the UK in shops such as supermarkets and newsagents.

* In North America, Classic Rock is available is branches of Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, although new issues do not go on sale until a couple of weeks after they’re published in The UK.

* An easy option is to go digital. You can subscribe digitally from just £20.99 for six months. Individual issues and subscriptions are also from the Apple Store, Zinio, Readly, Press Reader and Pocketmags.

* Save money by buying a physical subscription. UK and overseas subscriptions are available.

Originally comprised of former members of Yes (guitarist Steve Howe and keyboard player Geoffrey Downes), King Crimson (bassist/vocalist John Wetton) and ELP (drummer Carl Palmer), Asia’s aural slush puppy of soft rock and prog produced a self-titled debut that became America’s best seller of 1982.

Forty-three years later, Downes – a last link with those days – and a new line-up play three nights in which they will be performing the first three Asia albums in full, one per night, at Trading Boundaries in Sussex.

This line-up of Asia debuted at the John Wetton Tribute show in 2023.

It was a brilliant night, lots of great people including Rick Wakeman came along. Bill Bruford even stepped out of retirement to be a part of it all. It showed what a great impact John had on so many artists. It was also a trigger for going out on the road in America last summer with Martin Turner, Focus and Curved Air.

That first show as the ‘new’ Asia must have been an emotional and stressful experience for you.

It was, yeah. From my own standpoint it was great to carry on with the music that John and I wrote together all those years ago. I know that John would have been appreciative of that happening.

John’s widow Lisa believes he would have “endorsed” the band’s continuation as he “wanted the music to live on”.

That’s correct. For me, the last thing I wanted was to put Asia music into a locker and say I’ll never do that again. And now we’ve got the opportunity to get back out there again and play those first three albums, which were so significant. Of course there’s a type of keyboard warrior who noisily disagrees.

Do you take any perverse interest in such negativity?

It can be quite funny if you choose to look at it that way. Everybody’s got a voice, and some of the comments are quite amusing, but I’m long enough in the tooth to brush off that sort of thing and just keep moving. The haters won’t stop us from doing what we do.

Could you tell us about the other members of Asia 2025, starting with guitarist John Mitchell?

John was in the [solo] band of the other John [Wetton] for quite some time and they had a very good relationship. He was also a member of the Icon project that I had with John Wetton, so I’m very happy that he agreed to become a part of this new Asia.

Mitchell is also an accomplished singer. Was any thought given to him becoming the frontman?

John is a great vocalist, but when I discovered Harry that really changed the game. That’s Harry Whitley, on bass and lead vocals. Yeah. Harry is another great musician. He has a fantastic understanding of John’s voice. At the time, Harry was working on a farm in North Wales, and I thought: “He’s got all the right credentials” [laughs]. I called him up, he came on board and we had our lead singer.

How exactly did you find him?

Harry sent some Asia covers via Twitter, and they were so good they gave me a chill down my spine. People will be very impressed by him. At times you close your eyes and it’s quite eerie – he could be John. He’s only thirty. It’s good to have some young blood in the band, it brings the average age down quite a bit.

And Virgil Donati played drums with Planet X and Ring Of Fire.

John [Wetton] had worked with Virgil in UK, so there was a connection there. Carl [Palmer] was very busy with his ELP show [Welcome Back My Friends], so Virgil came in. He’s really warmed to the subtleties of the material.

Across three nights at Trading Boundaries this line-up will play the first three Asia albums.

It’ll take an enormous amount of preparation, because some of those albums were years in the making. Rattling them off will be a heck of a challenge, no doubt about it, but it’s one that we are relishing.

Are any songs yet to be performed live, maybe from Astra?

We only ever did Voice Of America from Astra, so that show will have a lot of very, very deep cuts. It wasn’t everyone’s favourite, but there’s a posse of fans that really, really loves it.

Many fans will be unable to make it to Sussex. What about recording these three shows, or taking the concept on the road?

We will definitely record the Trading Boundaries shows, and then we head straight off to Japan to do the same thing. I’d be well up for touring it in Britain – so we’re open to offers.

What’s going on with your other band, Yes?

We’ve been working on an album for the past six months. Steve [Howe, guitarist and now producer] is at the helm and I think it will be out later in the year.

Will there be any new music from Asia?

It’s being talked about. I’ve even got some stuff that I worked on with John [Wetton] many years ago, so recording that might be interesting.

Asia play Trading Boundaries on in East Sussex on April 10, 11 and 12.