John Martyn 1948-2009

British songwriting legend John Martyn has passed away aged 60.

Born Iain David McGeachy in September 1948, a forty-one year career has seen Martyn release 20 studio albums and numerous live records. He is regarded as one of the most influential British songwriters of all time and his seminal album, Solid Air, is regularly named in “Greatest Album” polls around the world.

Many of his albums are at times wildly experimental and, and his genre defying tendencies may have cost him the widespread commercial success that looked likely after Solid Air was released in 1973.

His erratic flirtations with folk, blues, jazz, rock and even reggae may have confounded many, but his body of work speaks for itself. In a forty year career Martyn created some of the most inventive and surprising music of all time.

During his career he worked with artists such as Phil Collins (repeatedly), David Gilmour and Eric Clapton.

Martyn was also made an OBE in the Queen’s Honours List in the New Year.

His personal life saw its fair share of upheavals and dramas with two failed marriages and a battle with alcoholism, followed in 2003 by the trauma of losing his right leg. Despite this Martyn continued to play live, with his most recent tour just last year.

The cause of death has not been revealed.

The Feud Goes On

The long feud between Martin Turner and Andy Powell is in danger of turning ugly once again after Turner told Powell to “f*ck off” in a magazine interview.

Speaking to Classic Rock Magazine, Turner said that he had tried to reunite the famously acrimonious line-up this year for their 40th Anniversary, but was rebuffed by Powell.

“We had a brilliant offer to put the band back together, so long as there were three original members. Ted Turner, Steve Upton and myself approached Andy [Powell]. A year later he was still stalling. Now he’s announced a 40th anniversary gig at Shepherd’s Bush and wants the three of us to join him on stage to perform ­ guess what? ­ The whole of Argus.”

“Wow, what a great idea,” said Turner, whose own version of Wishbone Ash has already re-recorded and released the seminal album. “Andy Powell can f*ck off. We won’t be his support band.”

Click Here To Read The Interview

Mott The Hoople Re-form

The original line-up of hugely influential rockers Mott The Hoople are to reunite for a pair of dates in October, reports Planet Rock.

Ian Hunter, Verden Allen, Dale Griffin, Overend Watts and Mick Ralphs will reunite for the first time in 35 years for two dates at Hammersmith Apollo on 2-3 October.

The 40th Anniversary shows take place at the venue where part of Hoople’s classic Mott The Hoople Live album was recorded in 1973.
Tickets for the two shows are on sale on 22 January at 9am.

The Answer Free Download

The Answer are offering a free download of one of the tracks from their forthcoming new album Everyday Demons.
‘Demon Eyes’ is available to hear and download from Spin.com right now and is a taster of the brand new, and eagerly anticipated new album from the boys from Downpatrick.
Everyday Demons is released in the UK on 2 March and is the follow-up to their excellent debut album Rise.
The band are current on tour with AC/DC in the US, and fans can also expect to see them warming up the crowd on their European tour which kicks off in February. They also play a sold out headline show at The Dingwalls in London on 12 February.
Click Here To Download

Bruce & Trower Dates

Jack Bruce and Robin Trower have announced a handful of European dates.The duo released the excellent Seven Moons album in 2008, although they are as yet to tour the record as a duo. But that should change in February when the Cream and Procul Harum legends play four dates together in Germany and Holland.As on the album, Level 42 drummer Gary Husband makes up the final part of the band.
No word on UK dates as yet, but if any are announced we’ll let you know.Here’s their current European schedule

25 February - Tollhaus, Karlsruhe, Germany

26 February - Kantine, Cologne, Germany

28 February - Concertgebouw De Vereeniging, Nijmegen, Netherlands

1 March - Music Hall, Worpswede, Germany

Faces Have Written New Album

The Faces have finished writing their new album, the follow up to 1973’s Ooh La La.
According to the Daily Mirror, Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart wrote the album whilst holidaying together over Christmas.
The red-top says the two legends spent time in Costa Rica, Bermuda and Miami to get inspiration and then wrote the album in just three days.
Ronnie Wood told the Mirror at the South Bank Awards "I had a great time. It wasn't so much a holiday but a mini world tour."Wood also told reporters that the Rolling Stones would be heading out on another world tour in 2010.Meanwhile, the Faces are still seeking a suitable bass player to replace the late, great Ronnie Lane. Red Hot Chili Peppers’ enigmatic four-stringer, Flea, is rumoured to be in pole position for the job while his band are on indefinite hiatus.
Wood also told reporters that the Rolling Stones would be heading out on another world tour in 2010.
Meanwhile, the Faces are still seeking a suitable bass player to replace the late, great Ronnie Lane. Red Hot Chili Peppers’ enigmatic four-stringer, Flea, is rumoured to be in pole position for the job while his band are on indefinite hiatus.