George Michael wasn’t who we thought he was
The first time I met George Michael he looked like the happiest man in the world. This was…
Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears: America is a mess
Jake Shears, 47, is an American singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the co-lead vocalist of Scissor…
The prescription-only drug fuelling classical music
Andrew Gillett, a viola player in his 60s, first took beta‑blockers about 30 years ago. “It wasn’t just…
Morrissey’s last-ditch attempt to rescue his reputation
It is a tough thing to be a Morrissey fan these days. “People will judge you,” says George…
Don’t Stop Believin’ – the unlikely story behind the biggest song of all time
In the mid 1970s, Jonathan Cain was a struggling musician. He’d moved from Chicago to Hollywood to follow…
Syd Barrett’s haunting final meeting with Pink Floyd
In June 1975, Pink Floyd were in Abbey Road nearing completion of their ninth album, Wish You Were…
Inside Freddie Mercury’s debut solo album
Forty years ago, 15 years into Queen’s bombastic career, Freddie Mercury released his debut solo album, Mr Bad Guy. “Personally,…