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Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode Five.What does Ritchie Blackmore actually listen to today?In this episode of my exclusive 13-part interview series, I ask Ritchie about the classical and Renaissance music that has influenced him throughout his life — and whether his musical tastes have changed over the years.His answer takes us from Bach and Beethoven to 16th-century instruments, a contemporary American guitarist he greatly admires and a rather unexpected Christmas album recommendation.This original interview was recorded exclusively for Now Spinning Magazine.A huge thank you to Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night for making this series possible.

In the second part of my interview with Dave Hill from SLADE he reflects on the personal experiences that have shaped his songwriting.From working on music during lockdown to the memories behind “Dirty Foot Lane” and “Sweet and Tender,” Dave talks about family, his musical influences, spirituality and the creative ideas that arrive while walking or gardening.There are more Slade memories along the way, including Reading and the songs that helped define the band. At the centre of this episode is Dave’s growing confidence in expressing his own story through music.Dirty Foot Lane is released on 30 October 2026. In the final part, we discuss recording with Django Holder, the album itself, and Dave’s experiences of depression and recovery.

My guest on the Now Spinning Magazine podcast is Leo Lyons, founding bassist of Ten Years After and producer of UFO’s Phenomenon, Force It and No Heavy Petting.Beginning with the Chrysalis reissues of Ssssh and Cricklewood Green, we explore how Ten Years After created music in the moment, both onstage and in the studio. Leo shares memories of Alvin Lee, the pressures that followed Woodstock, the band’s blues, jazz and rock and roll influences, and how “I’d Love to Change the World” began as an acoustic session with Alvin.We also discuss the rushed recording session that led to Leo producing UFO, how his time in Hamburg helped him communicate with Michael Schenker, and his determined journey into songwriting in Nashville.Leo reflects on Hundred Seventy Split, the loss of drummer Damon Sawyer, his work on a book, and discussions with Chrysalis about another possible Ten Years After reissue.A fascinating conversation about musical freedom, friendship and a lifetime of making records.Which Ten Years After or UFO album means the most to you? Let me know in the comments. Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

What happens after you have just stepped onto a stage with Deep Purple again for the first time in more than 30 years?In this episode, I ask Ritchie about the journey home after the reunion, whether he watched any footage afterwards, and how quickly family life returned to normal once the performance was over.It is a short answer, but one that reveals another very human side of the story.This original interview was recorded exclusively for Now Spinning Magazine.A huge thank you to Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night for making this series possible.Please subscribe to Now Spinning Magazine so you don’t miss the next episode.

Dave Hill from Slade joins me for the first part of a warm, funny and wide-ranging Now Spinning Magazine interview.Dave takes us back to his first guitar, his father’s encouragement and the chance encounters that brought him together with Don Powell, Jim Lea and Noddy Holder. He also remembers what Chas Chandler saw in the band, the development of Slade’s sound and image, and his continuing affection for the music they made together.This is Part 1 of a three-part conversation leading up to Dave’s solo album, Dirty Foot Lane, released on 30 October 2026. In Part 2, Dave reflects on family, songwriting and finding his own voice.🎵 JOIN OUR MUSIC COMMUNITYLove physical music and friendly, knowledgeable music conversation? Join the Now Spinning community on Patreon for early ad-free videos, private Facebook and WhatsApp groups, exclusive content and invitations to our twice-monthly virtual meet-ups at The Now Spinning Arms.Your support helps keep Now Spinning Magazine independent.Join us here:https://www.patreon.com/nowspinningWebsite: https://nowspinning.co.ukCD & Vinyl Store: https://burningshed.com/store/now-spinning-magazine

Geoff Downes and Chris Braide join me, Phil Aston, on the Now Spinning Magazine podcast to explore Trauma, the latest album from Downes Braide Association — and already my favourite of their six albums.We talk about memory, loss, identity and moving forward, and how those themes became songs filled with powerful lyrics and beautiful melodies.Geoff and Chris share the stories behind Marc Almond’s appearance on “Juliet”, Emmi’s vocals on “Love and Loss”, the inclusion of David Longdon’s previously recorded flute performances, and Dave Bainbridge’s remarkable guitar playing on “I Wish I’d Known”.We also explore the extended “Lake of Memories”, Delilah Barrett’s moving narration of words written by Andy Partridge, Roger Dean’s artwork, and the additional poetry in the CD booklet.Trauma is available on CD and double vinyl through Cherry Red.🎵 JOIN OUR MUSIC COMMUNITYLove physical music and friendly, knowledgeable music conversation? Join the Now Spinning community on Patreon for early ad-free videos, private Facebook and WhatsApp groups, exclusive content and invitations to our twice-monthly virtual meet-ups at The Now Spinning Arms.Your support helps keep Now Spinning Magazine independent.Join us here:https://www.patreon.com/nowspinningWebsite: https://nowspinning.co.ukCD & Vinyl Store: https://burningshed.com/store/now-spinning-magazine

Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode Three. What happened after Ritchie Blackmore walked off stage following his first performance with Deep Purple in more than three decades? In the third instalment of my exclusive 13-part interview series, Ritchie talks about meeting the band backstage, how his family reacted to the occasion, his concerns before walking onto the stage — and how the evening felt once it was all over. As always, Ritchie tells the story in his own words. This original interview was recorded exclusively for Now Spinning Magazine. A huge thank you to Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night for making this series possible. Please subscribe to Now Spinning Magazine so you don’t miss the next episode.

Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode Two.The Doubts, the Family and the Journey Back to Deep PurpleAfter deciding to step onto a stage with Deep Purple again, did Ritchie Blackmore ever have second thoughts?In the second part of my exclusive 13-part interview series, Ritchie talks about what happened after he'd agreed to play “Smoke on the Water” — and what the family journey to the venue was really like.Once again, Ritchie tells the story entirely in his own words.This original interview was recorded exclusively for Now Spinning Magazine.A huge thank you to Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night for making this series possible.Please subscribe to Now Spinning Magazine so you don't miss the next episode.This is an original Now Spinning Magazine interview with Ritchie Blackmore, recorded exclusively for our 13-part “In His Own Words” Series. Copyright belongs to Now Spinning Magazine

Steve Hackett returns to the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast for his seventh conversation with Phil Aston, ahead of the Best of Genesis & Solo Gems 2026 UK tour.We discuss the response to The Roaring Waves, his collaboration with Steve Rothery, and the fresh energy keyboard player Lalle Larsson and drummer Felix Lehrmann bring to his touring band. Steve talks about choosing music from the Genesis and solo catalogues, allowing familiar pieces to evolve, and balancing the legacy with his continuing creativity.We also explore the practical and personal sides of life on the road: his Fernandes guitars, string choices, backstage playing, books, and the inspiration he finds while travelling with Jo.One particularly inspiring moment finds Steve describing how, earlier that day, he had played something he could not play the day before. After everything he has achieved, he is still learning, discovering and moving forward.A warm, revealing conversation with a musician whose enthusiasm for music remains infectious.Tour dates and tickets: https://hackettsongs.com/toursSubscribe to Now Spinning Magazine for more interviews, reviews and conversations about the music we love.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode 1. In the first part of this exclusive 13-part Now Spinning Magazine series, I ask Ritchie how the idea of appearing on stage with Deep Purple again first came about — and what happened when that idea suddenly became a reality. Ritchie tells the story in his own words. A new episode will be released each week, covering Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmore’s Night, his guitar playing, musical influences and much more. Please subscribe to Now Spinning Magazine so you don’t miss the next part.

Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, leaving behind an extraordinary catalogue of music—and a legacy of kindness, generosity and humanity.In this personal tribute, I reflect on Dolly’s connection with my late mum, who introduced me to country music, and how I gradually discovered that country and heavy metal were often singing about the same people, struggles and hopes.Dolly gave us timeless songs including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Yet her legacy reaches far beyond music.Inspired by her father, who was unable to read or write, Dolly created the Imagination Library. It has now provided more than 300 million free books to children around the world. She also funded scholarships, supported families who lost their homes in the 2016 Tennessee wildfires and donated millions of dollars to medical research.I also look at how Dolly built bridges between musical worlds—from singing “Jolene” with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to making Rockstar with artists including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett and Peter Frampton.Dolly Parton showed us that music can cross genres, generations, backgrounds and beliefs. She also demonstrated that kindness is not a weakness. Kindness is a superpower.This video is dedicated to Dolly’s family, friends and fans—and to everyone whose life was made a little better by her music or generosity.Please share your memories of Dolly Parton and the songs that have meant the most to you in the comments.Rest in peace, Dolly, and thank you for everything.Phil AstonNow Spinning MagazineMusic is the healer and the doctor.

Ritchie Blackmore has performed with Deep Purple for the first time since 1993, joining the band at Jones Beach in New York for an unforgettable version of “Smoke on the Water.”In this video, I share my emotional response to those extraordinary six minutes—not simply the notes Ritchie played, but the smiles, affection and very human interaction between him, Ian Gillan and the rest of Deep Purple.This was not about recreating the past. Neither Ritchie Blackmore nor Deep Purple has anything left to prove. It was about old musical brothers putting their differences aside while there was still time and allowing the music to bring them together again.I also pay tribute to Candice Night, Simon McBride and everyone who helped make this remarkable moment possible.Music is the healer and the doctor.What did this reunion mean to you? Did you ever believe that we would see Ritchie Blackmore sharing a stage with Deep Purple again? Please share your thoughts and memories in the comments. Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine https://nowspinning.co.uk

Greg Hart Builds His Dream 1976 Album – 10 Tracks, Two Sides, No FillersWhat would be on your perfect ten-track album from 1976?In this special episode of the Now Spinning Magazine podcast, I am joined by Greg Hart, guitarist and songwriter with Cats in Space, to create his dream vinyl compilation from one of the most extraordinary years in music.This is not a conventional countdown. Greg has selected five tracks for side one and five for side two, carefully choosing the opening song, the final track and several unexpected deep cuts along the way.His choices move from Rainbow, Thin Lizzy and Status Quo to classic pop, soul and disco—and there are absolutely no guilty pleasures. Greg explains what these records meant to him as a young music fan and reveals how artists including 10cc, the Four Seasons, John Miles and Phil Lynott helped shape the writing, harmonies and production of Cats in Space.We also discuss the forthcoming Cats in Space album, the first from the new line-up featuring Chris Childs and Sam Wood. Greg reveals why side one will rock harder than ever, why side two contains five epics, how Thin Lizzy influenced the new guitar arrangements and why the album will receive a refreshingly straightforward physical release on classic black vinyl and CD. Which ten songs would make your own 1976 compilation? What would open side one—and which song would bring the album to a close? Please share your track listing in the comments. Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Steve Hackett joins me for the sixth time on Now Spinning Magazine to discuss The Roaring Waves, his long-awaited instrumental collaboration with Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery. Steve explains how the album became “a musical conversation between two guitarists,” with no competition and no desire to fill every available space. We discuss the importance of restraint, sustain and atmosphere; the influence of cinematic and film-noir soundtracks; and how the pair created an emotional connection without conventional lyrics. Steve also takes us inside several of the album’s key compositions, including “The Black Sea,” “Sandsend,” “Red Dragon,” the tragic submarine story behind “K-129” and the joyful Americana of “Pacific Coast Highway,” on which he plays amplified harmonica. We also discuss the unusual guitar sounds used throughout the record, the immersive Dolby Atmos mix and Steve’s suggestion that the response has been so encouraging that another Hackett and Rothery album may follow. The Roaring Waves by Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery will be released through InsideOutMusic on 28 August 2026.Please share your thoughts in the comments. Are you looking forward to hearing the complete album—and would you like Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery to make another one? Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Deep Purple keyboard legend Don Airey joins me on the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast to discuss the band's new studio album Splat!.In this exclusive interview, Don talks about working with Simon McBride, the band's creative chemistry, recording together in the studio, Bob Ezrin's influence on the songwriting process, the role of the Hammond organ, and why Deep Purple continue to sound inspired more than fifty years into their career.Plus, Don shares stories about the making of Splat!, life on the road with Deep Purple, and how many of the album's songs could take on a whole new life in concert.If you're a fan of Deep Purple, Rainbow, Jon Lord, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Roger Glover or classic hard rock, this is an interview you won't want to miss. Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine