Author: Arun Starkey Archives: 04/2026

Dire Straits - 1980s

The 1980 album that split up Dire Straits: “He couldn’t handle it”

A turning point.

Apr 25, 2026

Tom Petty - 1970s - Guitarist - Singer - Songwriter

The 1981 song Tom Petty struggled to write: “Went on for weeks”

A classic.

Apr 24, 2026

John Bonham - Led Zeppelin - Drummer - 1970s

The 1973 Led Zeppelin song John Bonham couldn’t stand: “He thought it was really boring”

Notoriously rubbish.

Apr 24, 2026

Elvis Costello - Far Out Magazine

The 1969 song that made Elvis Costello pick up the guitar: “I didn’t have a girlfriend”

A classic!

Apr 24, 2026

The 1977 song that earned Randy Newman a death threat: “That just popped out”

Misunderstood.

Apr 23, 2026

It’s serious business- The musician George Harrison called his greatest teacher -

The 1965 Beatles cover George Harrison couldn’t stand: “They’ve spoilt it”

‘The Quiet One’ was damning in his critique.

Apr 23, 2026

Pink Floyd - 1965 - Syd Barrett - Nick Mason - Roger Waters - Richard Rick Wright

The 1973 Pink Floyd song about Rick Wright’s “constant fear of dying”

A classic from their masterwork.

Apr 21, 2026

Jerry Garcia - Grateful Dead - Musician - Singer - Guitarist

The 1973 Grateful Dead song Jerry Garcia loved but “nobody liked”

As honest as they come.

Apr 21, 2026

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here 50 - Storm Thorgerson - 2025

The 1970 Pink Floyd song that Roger Waters and Nick Mason recorded in one take

Remarkable.

Apr 20, 2026

The “powerful” Pink Floyd album David Gilmour calls his favourite

A big call from Gilmour.

Apr 20, 2026

Roger Waters - 1985 - Pink Floyd - Musician

The album that “finished” Pink Floyd, according to Roger Waters

Fascinating shout.

Apr 19, 2026

David Bowie - Musician - 1980s

The band David Bowie said inspired every single British songwriter: “In the gut”

Hard to argue with.

Apr 19, 2026