Michael Leonard
Latest articles by Michael Leonard

Eric Clapton and the song he said he'd never play live again
By Michael Leonard published
"I was suddenly aware of the fact that there was a way to turn this dreadful tragedy into something positive"

"The fingers aren't very fast but I think I am instantly recognisable": David Gilmour classic guitar interview
By Michael Leonard published
Gilmour on the brief Pink Floyd reunion, On An Island and the art of the live guitar solo in this 2006 interview

Karma Police: the story behind the Radiohead classic that started life as a tour bus catchphrase
By Michael Leonard published
"Sometimes the best stuff happens when you’re not even listening at all”

An uncredited mandolin player, a bass drum played with a stick and Rod Stewart's finest solo hour: the story of Maggie May
By Michael Leonard published
Lindisfarne's Ray Jackson was the last overdub before it was mixed – his mandolin ended up playing a starring role

"Flea had this big pipe and was beating it, I’m playing car wheel brake drums and Anthony was playing a garbage can" - the story of Red Hot Chili Peppers' Breaking The Girl
By Michael Leonard published
A key BloodSugarSexMagik moment remembered
Kurt Cobain's Fender sells for $100k
By Michael Leonard published
Mustang was smashed on '89 tour

Korn's Jonathan Davis grabs banjos and lutes
By Michael Leonard published
His new backing band are 'Simply Fuckin' Amazings'

Bernard Butler shows off his guitar collection
By Michael Leonard last updated
"A lot of players only have a Squier Telecaster and one or two amps; which is fine, but it's nice to be able to say: 'play this one, see what you think'."

Manic Street Preachers talk Futurology, songwriting and Simple Minds
By Michael Leonard last updated
Not many bands survive 28 years of triumph and tragedy and release a dozen studio albums that retain a sense of progress, change and invention. But Manic Street Preachers are not like "many bands"...

James Dean Bradfield's guitar collection
By Michael Leonard last updated
20 years' worth of Manic Street Preachers electrics and acoustics

In pictures: David Gilmour's guitars, amps and effects
By Michael Leonard last updated
Up-close with the Pink Floyd man's gear

Nick McCabe on The Verve's studio battles, egos and tonal exploration
By Michael Leonard last updated
As The Verve reissue their seminal first two albums, Nick McCabe breaks his silence on being the young creative maverick inside one of the great British bands of the 90s

Dave Mustaine to appear at Music Live
By Michael Leonard last updated
He also blogs on new Megadeth album

Pink Floyd's The Wall Stratocaster up for auction
By Michael Leonard last updated
Gerald Scarfe-painted guitar signed by Gilmour, Waters, Mason and Wright

Scars On Broadway cancel tour
By Michael Leonard last updated
Daron Malakian's "heart not in it"

Next Oasis album is already written
By Michael Leonard last updated
More "sickeningly good" songs on the way, says Noel

Bryan Ferry wins songwriting Icon award
By Michael Leonard last updated
Lily Allen and Johnny Marr also honoured

Green Day return to studio with Butch Vig
By Michael Leonard last updated
Nirvana producer works on follow-up to American Idiot

Foo Fighters attack McCain over My Hero
By Michael Leonard last updated
Dave Grohl slams Republicans' use of song at rally

Kirk Hammett admits: "I'm never confident"
By Michael Leonard last updated
Metallica guitarist talks about making Death Magnetic

Travis Barker speaks: "I hate planes"
By Michael Leonard last updated
Drummer is recuperating after plane crash

BLOG: Noel Gallagher's greatest lifts
By Michael Leonard last updated
Oasis's songwriting goes under the microscope

Gibson Robot guitar and Radiohead win Digital awards
By Michael Leonard last updated
BT Digital Music Awards also honour Coldplay
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