To celebrate a brand new year with the Beat, we are giving one lucky reader a chance to win our mystery singer's brand-new CD... The album has yet to hit the shops but you can win a copy by entering our simple free-to-enter competition by ordering our January issue of...
The former glam-rock's lead guitarist is still belting out the hits with his new band... REVIEW by Ian Woolley On what must have been one of the coldest nights of 2022, it was in the Somerset town of Frome that we descended, scarf and all, to see one of glam-rock's...
A growing number of people are reporting skin reactions to substances. Currently, around 15-20% of the population suffers from a contact allergy, and the number of people reporting some form of skin reaction to chemical contact is increasing. Chemical products,...
Defining the disenchanted youth of Thatcher's broken Britain, joining the Coventry-based ska band The Automatics took Terry Hall on a roller coaster ride of chart success and fame... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley As lead singer of one of the most successful ska bands in the...
As she chats about UFOs, kisses, grandfathers, and more! Janis Ian was always going to be a star. At the age of two, she began piano lessons. By the age of 13, she was playing the organ, harmonica, French horn, and guitar. Songwriting for Janis started at the age of...
The influential UK Blues musician and founder of Savoy Brown has died at the age of 75... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The Beat interviewed the singer back in the 2020 August issue when his band Savoy Brown released their 41st album "Ain't Done Yet". Now living in the US...
What's upcoming and new in our latest issue of the Beat... On the eve of II DIvo's Christmas tour, French singer, composer, and record producer Sébastien Izambard talks with the Beat's Ian Woolley about the quartet's new album and the tragic loss of group member...
With listening figures for the likes of Boom Radio at an all time high, the reason is crystal clear over their airwaves. They have employed the broadcasters that BBC deemed past their sell by date.... By Ian Woolley Boxing Day will see both David Hamilton and Pete...
Formed in Guildford, Jet Black was a founding member of the Stranglers and drummed on all their biggest hits since they stormed into the UK charts in 1977... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Formed in 1974, Black's unique drumming style saw the Surrey band achieve 23 top 40...
In the 1980s, singer Daniel James worked with two of the most successful music producers in the business. Now the former singer of Yell! is getting in the Christmas spirit with a festive classic of his own... By Ian Woolley His recent No 1 Heritage Chart hit 'Do You...
Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie has died following a short illness at the age of 79, her family confirmed today... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Born in the Lake District village of Bouth in Lancashire, Christine Perfect spent her early life living in Birmingham. Born...
It was said that Irene Cara could sing the perfect musical hit and she proved just that when Fame took her to the top of the UK charts... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Her powerful vocals were behind two of the most successful musical films of all time and as one of the...
Some 10 years after doctors told him he had only months to live, Wilko proved he still had that fighting spirit... OBITUARY By Ian Woolley The R 'n' B pub rockers from Canvey Island formed in 1971 were always a big draw at the venues around Essex. The original lineup...
Every November in various venues around London fans the world over get together to celebrate one of London's favorite bands... By Ian Woolley There’s a lot of love around this planet for the Kinks. The songwriting genius of Ray Davies described perfectly the English...
Amazingly one of pop's most successful pop groups in history has never won a Grammy. Will they achieve it this time around? This time they may succeed as they have 4 nominations. Record of the Year and best pop duo for Don't Shut Me Down and with Voyage, nominated for...
"But when it kicked into this sort of mania with the girls, you couldn’t hear anything. That's when I decided to quit the Love Affair." By Ian Woolley So the rumours in the past about not wanting to stay with the band because they wouldn't tour the States were fake...
What's upcoming and new in our latest issue of the Beat... Mod and soul boy Steve Ellis makes our November front cover this month. Inside, the former Love Affair singer talks exclusively with Ian Woolley about his early days before becoming the Love Affair when he...
Rab influenced so many artists in his 50 years in the music business... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Rab Noakes influenced the world of music in Scotland and beyond, so much so that many of the musicians he worked with down the years can testify. Born in St.Andrews, Fife,...
One of the '70s most distinguishable voices, Dan McCafferty of Nazareth has died... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The Scottish gravel-voiced singer propelled Nazareth into the big time in 1973 when Broken Down Angel and Bad Bad Boy both became top 10 hits for the band....
After seeing the three tenors at one of their special performances, it sowed a seed in entrepreneur Simon Cowell’s mind. To create a singing group in the same classical style. Three years later that dream became reality when that seed became Il Divo. On their latest...
Halfway through their third successful Woman To Woman UK tour, Beverley Craven, Judie Tzuke, and Julia Fordham have invited another singer to join them - Rumer. REVIEW by Ian Woolley Even though Bob Dylan was in town up the road, an almost sold-out Pavilion Theatre in...
A priceless collection of music's history belongs to one man. That enviable man is Armand Serra... By Ian Woolley Guitar-Exp’s Armand Serra has arguably the largest and most valuable collection of guitars in the world. And his obsession shows no sign of waning. Where...
"I have my own hair. I have my own teeth and everything else is in fine working order"... REVIEW by Ian Woolley So says Leo Sayer on his current UK tour and he should know. It's been an amazing 50 years in the business for one of the most successful singers to come of...
A controversial personal life overshadowed one of Rock 'n' Roll's true pioneers... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The real surprise was how 'The Killer' lasted until his ripe old age when in reality there were many reasons down the years why he wouldn't. A drug and...