Chris Spedding
Classic Rock|July 2024
The legendary sideman and session guitarist on a "naughty" 70s, discovering the Sex Pistols and being an honorary Beatle.
Bill DeMain
Chris Spedding

Who’s played with Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Paul McCartney and The Wombles? As one of the world’s most versatile guitar heroes, Chris Spedding has defied easy categorisation over his storied 60-year career. As he approaches his eightieth birthday, the Derbyshire-born virtuoso with the silver quiff still enjoys recording and touring, adding tasty, understated licks to whatever project comes his way. “I always try to inject some Spedding element, to make it different,” he says with a smile.

You started playing violin when you were nine years old. What made you switch to guitar?

I grew up in a household where opera was always on the radio. My mother sang in the local choir, my father played organ in church. That’s why I chose violin. I had an aptitude for it, but my heart wasn’t in it. When I was twelve I heard skiffle, and Elvis singing Hound Dog. I thought: “What am I doing with this rubbish violin?” Girls talk to me when I play the guitar.

Were any of your neighbours worried about you becoming a juvenile delinquent?

Listening to rock’n’roll would be the same as if your precious young son suddenly decided to listen to gangsta rap. So people in my town would say: “We’re very worried about Chris” [laughs].

In the early seventies, when you were an in-demand session guy, what was a typical week like?

Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Classic Rock.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Classic Rock.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CLASSIC ROCKSe alt
Joan Armatrading
Classic Rock

Joan Armatrading

The singer-songwriter on her new album, inspirations, being a 'band', what her key was about, meeting Nelson Mandela...

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
"LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT HAVING FUN"
Classic Rock

"LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT HAVING FUN"

With their ninth studio album In Murmuration, Finnish rockers Von Hertzen Brothers have replaced their erstwhile prog epics for a more honest approach to songwriting reflecting their personal lives.

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2024
IN THE BEGINNING
Classic Rock

IN THE BEGINNING

With previously unseen photographs from their early days as featured in the new Queen | Collector's Edition, Sir Brian May talks us through sights of the band in the early seventies.

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2024
Royal Republic
Classic Rock

Royal Republic

Livewire, turbo-harmonised, disco-rocking Swedes get ready for upgraded UK and Europe dates.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
LIFE IS A JOURNEY
Classic Rock

LIFE IS A JOURNEY

For some people, travelling life's road is easy. For lifelong worrier Myles Kennedy it's anything but. But with his brand new solo album The Art Of Letting Go he's learning just what that title says.

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2024
Nikki Sixx
Classic Rock

Nikki Sixx

The Mötley Crüe bassist on making new music, replacing Mick Mars, work-life balance, learning when to say no...

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Bobbie Dazzle
Classic Rock

Bobbie Dazzle

Meet the West Midlands singer bringing back upbeat music, fun and fashion of the 70s.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Finger Eleven
Classic Rock

Finger Eleven

They might have just achieved their goal of making an album that sounds like it's from both the past and the future.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
The Southern River Band
Classic Rock

The Southern River Band

Meet the Aussie rock'n'rollers with fire in their bellies and classic rock in their veins.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Classic Rock

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

The US bluesman on the spark of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the creep of Al, and smoking with Bonamassa.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024