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\n<\/p>\nHappy New Year! Welcome to the very first issue of 2026! To start what we\u2019re hoping will be a seriously good year, we\u2019re celebrating a legend. Forty years ago (almost to the day if you\u2019re reading this on our on-sale day), we lost Thin Lizzy\u2019s Phil Lynott to the great gig in the sky.<\/p>\n
In this issue, we talked to some of his friends, bandmates and associates to remember him and paint a picture of the man and rock star he was. We also collared a cast of thousands (I may be exaggerating!) to choose their favourite Thin Lizzy song. For what it\u2019s worth, if I\u2019d been asked, my favourite is Don\u2019t Believe A Word\u2026<\/p>\n
This issue we also sit down with Francis Rossi to discuss life after Quo, chat with Alter Bridge about their new album, find out what makes Sammy Hagar tick, bid a fond farewell to Steve Cropper, and so much more<\/p>\n
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PS. Given it\u2019s the time for New Year\u2019s resolutions, how about resolving to never miss an issue of Classic Rock in 2026? The easiest way to do that is to get a subscription<\/a>. You\u2019ll save a chunk of money and have your mag delivered to your door<\/p>\n \n Features<\/p>\n Phil Lynott Karnivool Francis Rossi Elles Bailey Alter Bridge Sammy Hagar Heavy Pettin <\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future)<\/a><\/p>\n Regulars<\/p>\n The Dirt Steve Cropper The Stories Behind The Songs: The Lemonheads Q&A: Black Stone Cherry The Hot List Reviews Buyer\u2019s Guide: Jim Steinman Lives: We preview tours by Ten Years After, Fury and Airbourne. Plus gig listings \u2013 who\u2019s playing where and when.<\/p>\n The Soundtrack Of My Life: Marcus King \n * Copies of the new issue of Classic Rock can be purchased online from Magazines Direct<\/a><\/p>\n * Classic Rock is on sale in the UK in shops such as supermarkets and newsagents<\/a>.<\/p>\n * NB: Due to some unexpected logistical delays, this issue will be on the UK newsstand from Tuesday<\/p>\n * In North America, Classic Rock is available in 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.<\/p>\n * An easy option is to go digital. You can subscribe digitally from just \u00a320.99 <\/a> for six months. Individual issues and subscriptions are also from the Apple Store<\/a>, Zinio<\/a>, Readly<\/a>, Press Reader<\/a> and Pocketmags<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Alt\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ReypLqwpSwDdEjUjpzJgzG.png\")
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Forty years after his passing, Scott Gorham, Eric Bell, Mark Stanway, Laurence Archer and more talk about the bandmate and friend \u2013 the real Phil \u2013 that they knew. And the stars choose their favourite Thin Lizzy song and tell us why.<\/p>\n
After a 12-year gap between albums, the prog-metallers tell us they\u2019re back to reclaim their crown.<\/p>\n
Enjoying his An Audience With\u2026 tours, a new album was far from his mind. But one thing led to another, and\u2026<\/p>\n
The roots star talks fame, vanity, mental health, and the childhood trauma behind her smoke \u2019n\u2019 honey battle cry.<\/p>\n
With solo projects, a Creed reunion and more going on, there were whispers that they might have to call it quits. Instead they regrouped and recorded a brilliant new album.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t have a plan. Don\u2019t be cocky. Doing drugs is dumb. Know when to quit. These things and more shape his worldview.<\/p>\n
They were ready to be big shots. Then their entry for 1987\u2019s Eurovision misfired and killed their career. Now they’re back.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EcfdoqSPxvaZoechFfGg3Y.jpg\")
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David Coverdale announces his retirement;. no ‘Ozzy Airport’ name change for Brum; AC\/DC gig in Aus causes earth tremors. Welcome back Brinsley Schwarz and Femme Fatale. Say hello to Solomon Hicks and Ever Age. Say goodbye to Steve Cropper, Jimmy Cliff, Mani, Donna Jean Godchaux, Gilson Lavis.<\/p>\n
Goodbye to the Soul Man whose guitar playing and songwriting lit up the soundtrack of a generation.<\/p>\n
How a 90s cover of a 60s classic became an era-defining hit.<\/p>\n
Frontman Chris Robertson on their new EP, battling Darth Vader, and what Billy Gibbons is looking at on the internet.<\/p>\n
We look at some of the essential new tracks you need to hear and the artists to have on your radar. This month it’s Lovehoney, Kashus Culpepper, H\u00e4llas, The Molotovs and more.<\/p>\n
New albums from Alter Bridge, Def Leppard, Gluecifer, Electric Boys, Kreator, Laura Cox, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Elles Bailey, MC50, Lovehoney and more. Reissues from Pink Floyd, Freddie Mercury, T.Rex, Johnny Thunders, Yes, Lenny Kravitz, Brian Wilson, Levellers, Type O Negative and more. DVDs, films and books on The Yardbirds, Robbie Robertson, Cream and more. Live reviews of Radiohead, Carlos Alomar, Halestorm, Those Damn Crows, Todd Rundgren, The Saints, Peter Perrett and more.<\/p>\n
The best music from this maverick with a musical vision.<\/p>\n
Singer\/guitarist Marcus King picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance. <\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n