Classic Rock September 2021

WELCOME COVER PHOTO: ROSS HALFIN All things going to plan, I had intended to use this space to wax lyrical about Metallica’s Black Album, and how this issue we’ve gone all out to celebrate its 30th anniversary this issue – which we have (p26). But, as we know by now, things rarely go to plan. Just a few days before we were due to send the magazine to press, we learned the very sad news about the passing of ZZ Top legend Dusty Hill, and thus things changed. We pay tribute to the great guy from Texas (from p12), and if you’re a subscriber you’ll now be holding a special Dusty commemorative cover in your hands. This month I would also like to ask your help. If you’re one of…

This month’s contributors ROB HUGHES When he’s not scribbling for Classic Rock, Prog or other music mags, Rob can be heard twice weekly on Marc Riley’s BBC 6Music show, where he digs through vintage copies of NME, Sounds and Melody Maker in ‘The Parallel Universe’. This issue he gets up close and personal with the Manics (p58) and rifles through the record collection of guitar hero Bernie Marsden (p106). DAVID SINCLAIR David Sinclair is a singer, songwriter and bandleader at davidsinclairfour.com. He was a journalist for Kerrang! when he first met Dusty Hill backstage at Victoria Hall, Hanley in 1983, and he was at ZZ Top’s last UK show at Wembley Arena on July 12, 2019. This month we invited him to celebrate the life and times of big, bad,…

the DIRT DUSTY HILL David Sinclair looks back at the life, times and music of ZZ Top’s enigmatic bassist and vocalist. FOR MORE NEWS: WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM INSIDE THE WORLD OF ROCK May 19, 1949 – July 27, 2021 ROSS HALFIN The sudden death of bass player, singer, songwriter and keyboard player Dusty Hill at the age of 72 is especially devastating given the man’s robust, yet understated, presence on the rock star A-list over such a long period of time. With his long, flowing beard, black shades and inevitable cowboy hats, Hill and his mirror-image bandmate, guitarist Billy Gibbons, along with drummer Frank Beard, created a sound, an image and a mythology that defined ZZ Top, the self-described little ol’ band from Texas, and turned them into one of the wonders…

THE STARS PAY TRIBUTE TONY IOMMI “Sorry to hear about Dusty Hill, greatly missed, a crucial part of the unique ZZ Top sound.” ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND “The Allman Brothers Band Family is saddened to learn of the recent passing of fellow musical traveller Dusty Hill, bassist extraordinaire of our friends ZZ Top. Our love and support go out to Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, the Hill family and all the Top fans in the world, we share your loss.” DAVID COVERDALE “So Very Sad To Hear Dusty Has Passed… Beautiful Soul…” SCORPIONS “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his Compadres and the Family…” FLEA “A true rocker, Dusty Hill, who laid it down deep and real. I will always listen to you, as will anyone who ever wanted to rock…

RIP Thank you and good night. Al Collins July 24, 1960 – July 6, 2021 Al Collins, bassist with Jason & The Scorchers, has died following a heart attack at the age of 60. Nashville-based Collins, devoted husband of the performer Stacie, joined the US alt. country band in 2008. Scorchers vocalist Jason Ringenberg said his bandmate was “cheerful and ready to help, whether it was four a.m. getting in the van or eight p.m. going on stage.” Vic Briggs February 14, 1945 – June 30, 2021 Twickenham-born Vic Briggs is best remembered as the lead guitarist with Eric Burdon And The Animals between 1966 and ’68. He also played with Rod Stewart, Steampacket and Brian Auger’s Trinity, among many others, before converting to Sikhism and switching to classical Indian…

Joey Jordison April 26, 1975 – July 26, 2021 JOEY JORDISON: GETTY THE METAL COMMUNITY has reacted with sadness and shock to news of the death of former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison at the age of 46. Cause of death has not been announced. Jordison had suffered from transverse myelitis, a neurological condition that restricted his movement. “I lost my legs. I couldn’t play any more. It was a form of multiple sclerosis,” he told the audience at the Metal Hammer Awards in 2016. “I got myself back up, I got in the gym and I got back in therapy to beat this fucking shit. If I can do it, you can do it. To people with multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis or anything like that, I’m living proof that you…