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Top Topham came first, but he's moved by this Yardbirds successor: 'I have to tip my hat'

Top Topham came first, but he’s moved by this Yardbirds successor: ‘I have to tip my hat’

Top Topham was, until his recent return, the forgotten founding guitarist of the Yardbirds. He heaps praise now on one of those who followed.

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Chris Stamey, “Invisible” from Euphoria (2015): One Track Mind

Connections to their shared history stream through every quiet moment of Chris Stamey’s new song with Mitch Easter — and even more light.

Mark Knopfler credits Bob Dylan for sparking new music: 'Bob was quite thoughtful about it'

Mark Knopfler credits Bob Dylan for sparking new music: ‘Bob was quite thoughtful about it’

A portion of Mark Knopfler’s upcoming album ‘Tracker’ grew out of shared experiences on the road with Bob Dylan.

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Calling From a Star: The Merrell Fankhauser Story, by Merrell Fankhauser (2015): Books

Merrell Fankhauser’s contributions to the music scene are priceless, and I’m thrilled to say his memoir is just as worthy.

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Micky Dolenz almost played another iconic TV character: ‘Still laugh about it’

Few can imagine Micky Dolenz as anything other than one of the Monkees. But it very nearly turned into his second-most famous role.

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Steve Hackett, “The Wheel’s Turning” from Wolflight (2015): One Track Mind

Steve Hackett describes ‘Wolflight’ as a journey, through both outer and inner space. The advance song is a ride far more visceral, tangibly thrilling.

Ringo Starr, "Right Side of the Road" from Postcards from Paradise (2015): One Track Mind

Ringo Starr, “Right Side of the Road” from Postcards from Paradise (2015): One Track Mind

Ringo Starr’s comfy, aw-shucks persona often obscures his very real talents as a drummer. Then you hear a song like “Right Side of the Road.”

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Leslie Johnson, bassist and producer: Something Else! Interview

Preston Frazier has a Something Else! Sitdown with producer, bass player, composer and multi-instrumentalist Leslie Johnson.

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Sweet and Lynch – Only to Rise (2015)

I worried going into Sweet and Lynch’s ‘Only to Rise’ about the way Michael Sweet and George Lynch would mesh. I shouldn’t have.

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John Wetton + Robert Fripp, “Raised in Captivity” from Studio Recordings Anthology (2015)

John Wetton’s reunion with former King Crimson bandmate Robert Fripp was bound to stand out on a new ‘Studio Recordings Anthology.’