RIP Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog magazines

was a fan of Classic Rock Mag and Metal Hammer.

[In the shadow of these magazines going away, a new one is starting up.]

We’re launching Rock Candy Mag, a magnificent bi-monthly physical publication, with a digital magazine add-on. Yes, it’s printed on real paper! And yes, it’s aimed at the discerning Rock Candy customer who wants to wallow in nostalgia and relive the glory days of classic rock.

Rock Candy Mag isn’t available in the shops. You can only get it through our brand new website at http://www.rockcandymag.com

It’s 100 pages of the purest classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s, with no room for punk, new wave, skinny tie pop or post-industrial claptrap! And it’s all treated with respect and illustrated with the finest photography of the era.

Of course, I was there at the time. Editor Howard Johnson was too. And we’ve rounded up many of the leading journalists of the day – colleagues from Kerrang!, Sounds and Metal Hammer, including Malcolm Dome, Paul Suter, Paul Elliott, Steffan Chirazi, Jerry Ewing, Xavier Russell, Dave Reynolds and Philip Wilding – to deliver the stories we all want to read about.

Issue #1 highlights
Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott on the stories behind a bunch of his fave Leppard photos.
The making of Rush’s prog masterpiece ‘Hemispheres’.
Warrant’s doomed vocalist Jani Lane – a tale of tragic loss and unfulfilled promise.
Whatever happened to Kerrang!’s Ladykillers?
Saxon’s darkest days – before they bounced back.
Krokus bassist Chris von Rohr explains all about the band that was so nearly massive.

Also…

Mercurial meetings with Ritchie Blackmore.
Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci’s memories of his first ever gig.
An in-depth reappraisal of Aerosmith’s seminal ‘Rocks’ album.
The amazing story of Kiss manager and marketing genius Bill Aucoin – by those who knew him.
And much more!