Killer Queen

In 2025, tribute bands are a major segment of the music industry. Fans who perhaps never got to see their favorite classic rock band – or who want to relive the experiences of when they did – react with enthusiasm when a quality tribute band comes to town. But back in the ‘90s when the London group that would become Killer Queen first got started...

Cypress Hill is one of the most celebrated forces in hip hop. Founded in Los Angeles in 1988, the group has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Reno Phil - Founded in 1969 by Russian-born conductor Gregory Stone, the Reno Philharmonic – affectionately known as the “Reno Phil” – has become one of the region’s most prominent performing arts organizations.

Clint Black is a country superstar. Though he spent nearly a decade toiling as a songwriter and performer before landing a record deal in 1987, his career took off like a shot from there. Black has since won a Grammy, an American Music Award, three TNN Music Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards and four CMA Awards.

Tom Segura is one busy guy. For 15 year running he has co-hosted Your Mom’s House, a weekly podcast with his wife, fellow standup comic Christina Pazsitzky. He also co-hosts the Two Bears One Cave podcast with Bert Kreischer. Segura has written and acted in films, and his book of delightfully curmudgeonly essays, I'd Like to Play Alone, Please was published in 2022.

A new quartet featuring two members of the ‘80s King Crimson lineup would be joined by two more world-class virtuoso players: guitar wizard Steve Vai and Tool drummer Danny Carey. Ahead of the tour, Rock On spoke with guitarist, singer, songwriter and project leader Adrian Belew.

The Psychedelic Furs burst onto the London postpunk scene in 1977. As the group’s name suggests, the Furs came on strong with a dark, brooding approach that drew from punk and ‘60s psychedelia, setting them apart from many of their contemporaries.

Judas Priest roared out of industrial Birmingham, england in the early 1970s. once the group found its footing – bringing on powerful, operatic and charismatic lead singer Rob Halford – Judas Priest’s hard-charging, twin-lead guitar attack broke through in a big way.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has a keen sense of musical history. Truly inspired by some of the blues greats, the self-taught guitarist applied what he learned.

With a fascinating and unusual backstory, the Alaska native sailed against the prevailing musical tides of ‘90s grunge, proving that there’s always a place for sensitive singer-songwriters (one of her early songs even bore the title, “I’m Sensitive”).

Shaggy is an international superstar. The dancehall reggae sensation has earned blockbuster album and single sales in the U.K. and beyond with his strong voice and inimitable style.

38 Special started out like many other bands in and around Jacksonville, Florida in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, with a Southern rock sound and attitude to match.

Ahead of Shinedown’s July 27 concert date at the Nugget Event Center, Barry Kerch was happy to speak with Rock On about his band. Those delicious hot sauces certainly came up in the conversation, too.   

At a mere 35 years old, Samantha Fish is a musical icon. Though she came to fame as a blues guitarist, there’s much more to the Kansas City-born musician.

Today, five-time Grammy nominee Jeff Foxworthy is a household name. Three of his 1990s-era stand-up comedy albums went Platinum.

Peter Frampton was catapulted to fame when his blockbuster 1976 double album Frampton Comes Alive rocketed to the top of the charts.

Combining rock, country and even a bit of jazz, the Marshall Tucker Band earned major success in the 1970s.

When one looks beyond the many hits – no less than 18 charting singles – the history of Jefferson Starship is admittedly a complicated one.

Hard-rocking band Tesla came on the scene in the mid ‘80s, with their own brand of blues-based, straight-ahead rock.

A guitar virtuoso, New York-born Vai has applied his prodigious talents as guitarist, composer, arranger, songwriter, instrument designer and band leader.

Foghat began in 1971 when three of its members – guitarist “Lonesome Dave” Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens and drummer Roger Earl left Kim Simmonds’ band Savoy Brown to start their own project.

Starting out as a pop singer with a savvy sense of the zeitgeist, over the course of more than a decade in the public eye,

Founded in 1994 by Thomas Lauderdale, Pink Martini has carved out a unique niche for itself in the world of music.

Romantic singer Engelbert Humperdinck is one of the most beloved singers in modern times.

Flautist, guitarist, songwriter and singer Ian Anderson formed Jethro Tull in 1967. With its signature mix of hard and progressive rock, folk and other styles, the band has enjoyed sustained critical and commercial success.

Grand Funk Railroad is the rarest of rock bands. A power trio coming on the scene during the hard rock era, the Michigan-based group successfully transitioned into a hit-making singles band.

Dave Mason is the Zelig of rock ‘n’ roll. He came to fame in the ‘60s first as a member of Traffic, and soon thereafter launched a solo career. 

Vocalist and songwriter Pat Monahan formed Train in San Francisco in 1994. The pop-rock band worked hard to develop its sound and cultivate its Bay Area fan base for a few years, eventually signing with Columbia.

For more than three decades, Jason Scheff was the voice of Chicago. Taking over for high-profile Peter Cetera in 1985, the bassist was only 23 when he joined the massively popular group.

Led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins are in the midst of an ambitious release cycle.

Julian Marley has a famous last name. But the 47-year old singer, songwriter and musician has never rested on the shoulders of his father’s reputation.

Country-rock singer/songwriter Ashley McBryde was born in 1983 in Arkansas and raised near Saddle and Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.

It’s fashionable in some circles to declare rock as dead and buried. And while it’s true that other styles may have surpassed it sales-wise in the music marketplace, rock is very much alive.

With their winning combination of rock energy and Texas twang, Dallas-based Old 97’s have carved out a unique place for themselves on the music landscape.

The Rockettes are an American institution. Founded in 1925, the high-kicking precision dance company moved to New York City in 1932; ever since, The Rockettes have wowed audiences with performances at the historic Radio City Music Hall.

This past July, Jeff Beck released his 14th studio album entitled "18." While, it's mostly covers of songs first recorded by John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, and The Everly Brothers, as with all of Beck's music, the songs are as fresh and unique as the original productions.

The history of music defines, in many ways, the history of humankind. We know our anthropological ancestors had music because archeologists have found flutes made from the hollow bones of birds, and from bamboo dating back at least ten millennia.

After a highly successful run, beloved rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival broke up in 1972. John Fogerty had been the group’s undisputed creative center of gravity: he wrote nearly all of the songs, sang and played guitar.

That was Neal Schon’s response to the opening question in a recent conversation with Rock On. He was reflecting on the career trajectory of Journey, the multi-platinum selling band he co-founded in San Francisco in 1973.

Joe Satriani is the most popular instrumental rock guitarist in the history of music. Though he has yet to win a Grammy Award for his work, Satriani is one of the most often-nominated artists (15 to date).

When I first got into it, I was inspired by people who had come before me, and I found myself in the position of handing that on. 

-Mick Jones

By May of 1965, The Beach Boys were a worldwide phenomenon. Their record sales were counted in the millions, and they routinely played to sold-out audiences all over the world.

Overlooked as a creative force, Dennis Wilson was the only actual beach boy in The Beach Boys.

Led by wife-and-husband duo, guitarists Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the group has won widespread critical and commercial success.

In the mid-1960’s, a high school band calling themselves the Earwigs wanted to enter a Phoenix talent show. Basically, it was five guys lip-synching, and lampooning the Beatles.

Lit seemed to have roared – fully formed and developed – out of the Orange County punk and hardcore scene of the mid-’90s. But the band’s roots go back father, and they go deeper as well.

Candlebox endured those peaks and valleys, took some time off to grow up and improve, and returned stronger than ever. With a healthy second wind, the Seattle group has been on a creative winning streak that’s entering its 15th year.

Brent Smith and Zach Myers planned to record a double album in late 2019 for their band Smith & Myers.

The album features 10 “reimaginings” and 10 originals. They hit the studio hard in February 2020.

The President of Football Operations of the Denver Bronco's, has had a nearly forty-year career in the NFL. From the controversial way he came into the league in 1983, to winning Superbowl's as both a player and an executive, Elway has excelled at every position.

In 1972, in Chicago, a band named Styx signed a recording contract. The first single from their self-titled first album, Best Things, dipped its toe into the hot 100 on the charts, and announced the arrival of a true American prog-rock band.

With pandemic restrictions beginning to ease, for the moment, many musicians are getting back on the road. Among them is the multi-Grammy, mega-platinum record selling rock band, Los Lobos.

For 20 years and running, Copenhagen, Denmark-based band Volbeat has had it both ways: the popular group has honed its brand of hard-rock (with elements of early, vintage rock ‘n’ roll) while appealing to an audience that extends well beyond rock fans.

A new band was established by singer/guitarist Lonesome Dave Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens, and drummer Roger Earl, joined by slide guitarist Rod Price formed what was to become the powerhouse blues & boogie rockers Foghat.

True Fans of Rock n Roll will know this month’s featured interviewee. Matt Sorum was born on November 19th, 1960 and has more music industry experience and stories to share on his impressive journey than most people can dream of.

In 1996, in Escatawpa, Mississippi, a three-piece power trio was formed. The band consisted of Brad Arnold singing leads, and playing the drums, Matt Roberts on guitar, and Todd Harrell playing bass.

After hunkering down for the pandemic, and like most of us, watching a lot of Hulu, Howland is glad the band is finally back on the road.

In depth interview with San Francisco 49’ers wide receiver, Jerry Rice, the greatest of all time. His records, which include the most receptions, most yards, and most touchdowns, are seemingly unbreakable.

“You’ll see my hands all over this record, really for the first time.” - Ayron Jones on the evolution of his recording process from his first indie album to the major label release of his third album “Child of the State.”