Ben Rogerson
I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.
Latest articles by Ben Rogerson
![Pharrell Williams and Timbaland](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fHX4W5s7V2xf5diu25y7hS-320-80.jpg)
“Who does a hook like that?”: Timbaland on being inspired by the “genius” of Pharrell Williams
By Ben Rogerson published
“Who does a hook like that?”
![Dua Lipa, Cher and Zendaya](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/39iXTtxMEzS37wsdA8iF5-320-80.jpg)
Cher joins Dua Lipa to sing Believe - minus the Auto-Tune - at the Rock & Hall of Fame
By Ben Rogerson published
“It was an accident, because my producer and I were having a fight,” Cher says of Believe’s groundbreaking vocal sound
![Al Greenwood](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oDfCicDQ7ZeHL6t8jZ3VTQ-320-80.jpg)
Why Foreigner’s Al Greenwood said no to the Minimoog and bought a little-known synth instead
By Ben Rogerson published
“It played two notes at a time, which was unbelievable - to be able to play almost a chord with it - and it had four oscillators instead of three”
![Taylor Swift](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mhAAq5RzWH9JRahvQY6L8-320-80.jpg)
“Taylor is the ‘now’ one. We are the ‘still now’”: Ringo Starr on those Taylor Swift/Beatles comparisons
By Ben Rogerson published
“She’s pulling them in,” adds Starr, who first met Swift when she was just 14
![Halsey](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UdTCXhvg9ko7eaKEZnWZZV-320-80.jpg)
“Is everyone OK?”: Halsey on the reaction to their Nine Inch Nails-produced album in 2021
By Ben Rogerson published
The record was released to critical acclaim
![Bruno Mars and Rosé](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z6fp5C2awUFqNjjravmvgU-320-80.jpg)
Bruno Mars jumps on the drums for APT, his new single with Blackpink’s Rosé that’s served with a pinch of Toni Basil
By Ben Rogerson published
The composers of Basil's 1981 hit Mickey have been given writing credits
![Mike Campbell and Tom Petty](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SqU6DQiL8tPZAzdhYXSreZ-320-80.jpg)
Mike Campbell recalls his conversation with Tom Petty after he’d sent him the songs he’d written for his side project
By Ben Rogerson published
“Well, if they’re really good, why don’t we do them?” Petty asked him
![SoundCloud logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nTZkYv3G77PhHVshytkUPj-320-80.jpg)
SoundCloud says that electronic music fans are its most engaged listeners, and that trance is on the rise
By Ben Rogerson published
Producers have been the cornerstone of the platform since its launch in 2007
![Rihanna](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tGyX9K7EWUNqDBFUA4YV9d-320-80.jpg)
No one knew about the lyrical Easter eggs I dropped into a Rihanna hit, says songwriter
By Ben Rogerson published
The Michael Jackson, Tears For Fears and A-ha references passed everyone by, he reveals
![Charli XCX](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/baanmAPhsbRGqA2JKriJzZ-320-80.jpg)
“That album makes me tear up”: Charli XCX on the Daft Punk record that hits different
By Ben Rogerson published
She also says that, when she was growing up, “I really thought that I wanted to emulate Britney Spears”
![Elton John](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BpccaBVaC7RbDdkmupbF3V-320-80.jpg)
"I didn’t know how to work any of it": Elton John says he’s never got over his Hammond organ “phobia”
By Ben Rogerson published
“I was a piano player trying to play the organ like a piano, and it just doesn’t work that way - it’s a completely different technique, one I couldn’t master”
![Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QC9ZwBUxiaMU4hHk7S35RG-320-80.jpg)
Small might be beautiful, but even with an upgraded A17 Pro chip, is the new iPad mini’s appeal big enough?
By Ben Rogerson published
We’d advise music makers to look at a different model in the range…
![Taylor Swift smashed guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RgMZZ9mEcBdpjE4muAhhSf-320-80.jpg)
Smashed Taylor Swift-themed guitar flipped for more than than it sold for when it was still in one piece
By Ben Rogerson published
Seller also attempts to scotch rumours that the signature wasn’t genuine
![Billie Eilish](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JZkbEwCAEPHFnMPxQtbRh4-320-80.jpg)
"She’s the coolest”: Billie Eilish on her new-found appreciation of a ‘00s pop-punk icon
By Ben Rogerson published
She also admits that there were times when she thought smash hit Birds Of A Feather was her “worst song”
![Pino Palladino and Adele](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MgdmMKFkSZpk5g6TffipWN-320-80.jpg)
Pino Palladino on getting the call from Rick Rubin to play bass for a “young British artist"
By Ben Rogerson published
“She’s a good laugh, Adele,” he says
![Pharrell Williams](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jChvwBMaMsD2FovBG3xuJg-320-80.jpg)
“That sarcasm became the song”: Pharrell Williams says his mega-hit Happy isn’t as joyful as you think
By Ben Rogerson published
“There's nothing that he or anyone else could do to ever make me feel differently about what we did together and what I wish for him. Nothing”
![Olivia Rodrigo and Emily Rosenfield](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/maHm7iiRTwBGLiSBSsxdHG-320-80.jpg)
Olivia Rodrigo guitarist Emily Rosenfield spills her Guts World Tour secrets
By Ben Rogerson published
Fellow guitarist Daisy Spencer and bassist Moa Munoz have also been talking gear and tone
![Jon Batiste](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MdoxYkF4C4FsdFHdvcpCD4-320-80.jpg)
Jon Batiste takes Für Elise to unexpected places as he previews his Beethoven Blues album
By Ben Rogerson published
A different kind of Ludvig van jam
![Olivia Rodrigo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hLgppYZeCgp9fHKhuvcBi-320-80.jpg)
Olivia Rodrigo sparks intense speculation that she’ll be headlining Glastonbury 2025
By Ben Rogerson published
They fall right after the weekend of the festival
![Billie Eilish](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rxqgzCe2FQdEeJ7oPot8wa-320-80.jpg)
Billie Eilish talks “shredding on the guitar” and performing with a full band for the first time on her Hit Me Hard And Soft tour
By Ben Rogerson last updated
“Imagine writing something that meant so much to you and then an entire arena of people is, like, shouting it back at you. It’s amazing”
![Josh Scott](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nDuvqy89UyxgXq9HWALdhe-320-80.jpg)
JHS Pedals’ Josh Scott on praising his rivals and seeing his stomps being used by the stars
By Ben Rogerson published
“I've still never met Noel - probably don't want to - but Radiohead, they're sweet guys”
![George Michael](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WoTDoYNm9mSPsXZ6Pp3vXR-320-80.jpg)
Careless Whisper guitarist Hugh Burns on George Michael’s “remarkable talent”
By Ben Rogerson published
A 40th anniversary Careless Whisper EP is about to be released
![Chaka Khan and Sheila E](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8t4sqASRwK3vSnQXoUPn8K-320-80.jpg)
Chaka Khan hits the heights with Sheila E as they perform I’m Every Woman at the AMAs 50th Anniversary Special
By Ben Rogerson published
Plus, Jennifer Hudson honours Whitney Houston by singing I Will Always Love You
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