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Randy California, Spirit: Randy California

Retrospective by Johnny Black, MOJO, February 2004

Just turned 22, Spirit guitarist and figurehead Randy California stands on Chelsea Bridge, staring down into the grey waters of the River Thames. It's April 1973, ...

Eyewitness: The Twist

Retrospective by Johnny Black, Q, February 1997

THE TWIST WAS the most remarkable dance phenomenon in the history of the rock era. Here's the story of how it happened in the words ...

The Supremes: Mary Wilson on The Supremes

Retrospective by Johnny Black, MOJO, April 1997

"ONE DAY IN mid-April we were all summoned to berry’s home on Outer Drive," remembers Mary Wilson of The Supremes. "As I drove there, I ...

Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb: Glen Campbell: 'Wichita Lineman'

Retrospective by Johnny Black, Blender, November 2001

Vital statistics 

on Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman' ...

Sex Pistols, The, Stranglers, The, Clash, The, X-Ray Spex, Adam & The Ants, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Damned, The, Jam, The, Generation X: Punk Venues: London Calling

Retrospective by Johnny Black, Q, July 1995

Summer, 1976. Punk, live punk, is about to explode in the capital. Tap rooms, Poly bars and sweaty clubs will host its unwashed greats. Johnny Black looks ...

U2: Eyewitness: U2 Conquer London

Retrospective by Johnny Black, Q, July 2002

WHEN U2 visited the capital in the summer of 1980, their intention was to play a handful of low-key club shows. Three months, a Marquee ...

Phil Spector's Christmas Album

Retrospective by Johnny Black, unpublished, December 2009

GUNS HAVE LANDED Phil Spector in no end of trouble over the years. Usually, as in his confrontations with John Lennon, Leonard Cohen and the ...

Pink Floyd, Move, The, Tomorrow, Soft Machine, Mick Farren, Arthur Brown: We Have Lift Off!

Retrospective by Johnny Black, MOJO, February 2004

In less than one year, London's UFO (pronounced "you-foe") club became the nocturnal haunt of the '60s counterculture, gathering place for the Beatles, Stones and ...

Spade Cooley: Eye Witness: Spade Cooley Murders His Wife

Retrospective by Johnny Black, Country, January 2014

IN THE EARLY 1960s, ageing country music star Spade Cooley and his significantly younger wife Ella Mae were living on his remote ranch, Rosamund, in ...

Blind Faith: Born Under A Bad Sign

Retrospective by Johnny Black, MOJO, July 1996

IN THE EVENING COOL OF JUNE 6, 1969, almost 7,000 people made their way to Hyde Park, where they slept under stars to be sure ...

Sex Pistols, The, Clash, The, Damned, The, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, Buzzcocks, The, Malcolm McLaren: The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, The Heartbreakers, The Buzzcocks: Destination Nowhere

Retrospective by Johnny Black, MOJO, December 1996

Twenty years ago this month, the Sex Pistols, Clash, Damned, Heartbreakers and Buzzcocks embarked upon the Anarchy Tour. What followed more than lived up to ...