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Hit Singles

Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy and Friends reviewed: a deep-diving tribute to R.E.M.

“a fitting hint of calm derangement” Hands crossed on his chest in a stoic cap and shades, or summoning down a chorus with arms stretched wide, he’s suitably enigmatic. The voice is a perfect Georgian tremble, albeit brushed here and there with a touch of Eddie Vedder. As he tells the tale of a man building a wall down the middle of his house to live in different sides as the mood takes him, there’s a fitting hint of calm derangement. If Michael Shannon, Hollywood star of Knives Out and Nocturnal Animals among many other notable movies, is auditioning for the starring role in a Michael Stipe biopic, he’s a shoo-in. Advertisement He has, though, gone seriously method. Having previously played full-album cover shows of records by Lou Reed, The Modern Lovers, Neil Young and The Smiths in Chicago over the course of a decade, in 2023 Shannon and a backing band put together by sometime Bob Mould and Robert Pollard bassist Jason Narducy began touring a 40th anniversary tribute show to R.E.M.’s Murmur across the States. Click here to read our interview with Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy and R.E.M. “a committed and powerful impressionist” Skipping Reckoning’s birthday, they mark four decades of Fables Of… Read More →

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Here’s everything Chappell Roan played in her headline set at Reading 2025

Chappell Roan brought the fun to the Reading Festival 2025 main stage on Friday evening – check out footage below. The singer was playing her debut headline set at the festival, just ahead of Hozier’s set on the same stage on August 22. Advertisement She was played on by dramatic, cinematic horns and a backdrop evoking a classic ghostly horror movie, which gave way to an epic instrumental intro from her band. As anticipation grew among the pink cowboy hat-wearing crowd, Roan appeared at the top of her elaborate stage set and launched into ‘Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl’. “Hello, my name is Chappell Roan. Are you ready to get ‘Naked in Manhattan’? Then prove it!” she said early in the set, introducing the track from her 2023 debut album ‘The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess’. Her set also included recent single ‘The Subway‘ and ‘The Giver‘, a cover of Heart‘s ‘Barracuda’ that has been a regular in her set in 2025, and huge singalongs to the likes of ‘Hot To Go!’, ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ and ‘Pink Pony Club’. “Thank you for having me tonight,” she told the crowd. “This is a dream come true, seriously.” Watch fan-captured… Read More →

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Kings Of Leon bring “vibey, good times” on new single ‘We’re Onto Something’, featuring Zach Bryan

Kings Of Leon have released their new single ‘We’re Onto Something’, featuring vocals from Zach Bryan – listen below. The song was debuted live on stage in San Francisco last week (August 15) and it has now arrived in its studio form. The track has been released via Love Tap Records, the band’s own imprint distributed by Virgin Records. Advertisement It follows on from the two artists’ recent collaboration ‘Bowery’, which was first released earlier this month and also featured during the Golden Gate Park show last week. ‘We’re Onto Something’ sees Kings Of Leon in relaxed, bluesy form, with Caleb Followill and Bryan trading vocals over a bed of harmonica, atmospheric guitars and an ambling rhythm section. Watch the video here: [embedded content] Speaking about the song in an Instagram video, Followill has said: “I feel like this is just kind of like vibey, good times, not taking it too seriously. The way that the song is written, but also the way that we’re going about it.” Recommended “We’re trying to be less meticulous about every little decision that we make,” he added. “And just kind of trying to be loose with things, because that’s how it feels the… Read More →

Hit Singles

The Smiths’ Mike Joyce announces memoir, The Drums

The Smiths‘ Mike Joyce is releasing a memoir, The Drums, through New Modern on November 6. Says Joyce, “I’ve been asked numerous times, ‘What was it like being in The Smiths?’ That’s one hell of a question to answer! On most occasions, my answer’s been, ‘Have you got a couple of days to spare?’ It felt like going into any detail to explain what it was really like would be impossible. The only way it seems to do that would be to commit to paper. It’s been quite a journey going back forty years to re-live some of the experiences encountered during my time with the band. I hope readers feel I’ve answered that question.” Adds Pete Selby, managing director of New Modern: “As the self-confessed biggest Smiths fan in the world, Mike is able to reflect on his time with the band through the eyes of a passionate, loving observer as well as being a trusted and irreverent chronicler of those five astonishing years when he was the backbone of one of the greatest groups of all time.” Joyce’s memoir comes in hardback, ebook and audio.

Hit Singles

Listen to Bruce Springsteen’s rare Born To Run outtake, “Lonely Night in the Park”

Bruce Springsteen has released a rare Born To Run outtake, “Lonely Night In The Park“, to mark the album’s 50th anniversary. You can hear the track below. Tracked during the Record Plant sessions for Born To Run, and heavily considered for album inclusion at the time, “Lonely Night In The Park” can now enjoy it’s first official release. Featuring Springsteen with The E Street Band, the release is accompanied by a selection of rare photographs from Eric Meola’s Born To Run album cover shoot, which you can see below. Photo: Eric Meola Photo: Eric Meola Photo: Eric Meola Photo: Eric Meola Photo: Eric Meola When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Hit Singles

The 200 Greatest British Records of the 1990s…Ranked!

You need to be yourself “It’s about…” On the other end of the line a few years ago, Brett Anderson is pausing for a moment to find precisely the right words before he decides what the excellent 1992 debut single by his group Suede is in fact about. Advertisement After some more consideration, and locating the words, he returns. “The Drowners”, he says thoughtfully, “is about …rolling around in acres of engorged flesh.” As you’ll read in this latest Ultimate Record Collection, the great British records of the 1990s can be about this – but also about much more besides. Ane even if times have changed many of the key British bands of the decade – Oasis, Pulp, Suede, My Bloody Valentine – are enjoying a period of renewed creative strength and popularity. Obviously the headlines have recently been dominated by the successes of the Oasis Live ’25 tour. Elsewhere, Suede and Pulp have recently made impressive new albums. Meanwhile, recordings by other key artists Primal Scream, Radiohead, Massive Attack, Portishead – remain as important and influential as ever. In this new magazine, Uncut’s team of experts have compiled the 200 best albums and singles to make sure you don’t… Read More →

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KATSEYE reflect on ‘Dream Academy’ experience in new ‘Mean Girls’ video

KATSEYE have shared a new video for ‘Mean Girls’, reflecting on their time competing in the Dream Academy competition. READ MORE: KATSEYE: “If you don’t get it, then it’s not for you – and that’s OK” In 2023, 20 hopefuls from around the world competed in the Dream Academy competition. Organised by HYBE and Geffen, the six winners would go on to form a global girl group known as KATSEYE. Advertisement A Netflix documentary capturing the gruelling journey, titled Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE premiered a year ago, revealing the final six members and the heartbreak faced by eliminated finalists Samara, Emily, Ezrela and Marquise. KATSEYE comprises members Sophia, Manon, Daniella, Lara, Megan and Yoonchae. Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE premiered on August 21, 2024. To celebrate its one-year anniversary, the group have shared a new visualiser for ‘Mean Girls’, dubbed the ‘Dream Academy Version’. It takes a look back at the group’s trainee days, and includes the other contestants who participated in the Dream Academy competition. Check it out below. [embedded content] In other news, the HYBE x Geffen group in July announced the details of their first-ever tour, which is due to kick off later this year. The ‘Beautiful Chaos’ tour … Read More →

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Mastodon pay tribute after former guitarist Brent Hinds dies in motorcycle crash

Brent Hinds, the former lead guitarist of Mastodon, has died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 51. The news was confirmed by a medical examiner’s report in Fulton County, Georgia on Thursday (August 21), after police reported that a man riding a Harley Davidson was killed in a collision with a BMW SUV (via Atlanta News First). Mastodon paid tribute to Hinds, writing on Instagram: “We are in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief… last night Brent Hinds passed away as a result of a tragic accident.” “We are heartbroken, shocked, and still trying to process the loss of this creative force with whom we’ve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many. Our hearts are with Brent’s family, friends, and fans. At this time, we please ask that you respect everyone’s privacy during this difficult time.” Hinds and Mastodon parted ways amicably in March this year after 25 years together. The band wrote at the time: “We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavours.” William Brent Hinds… Read More →

Hit Singles

The Beatles’ announce expanded editions of their Anthology documentary series and albums

Peter Jackson is creating a new episode of the TV series The Beatles‘ Anthology series is being revisited on screen, on record and in print. The original eight-part Anthology documentary series was first broadcast in November 1995 across eight episodes. A restoration of the series has been overseen by Apple Corps’ production team, working with Peter Jackson’s Wingnut Films & Park Road Post teams along with Giles Martin, who has created new audio mixes for the majority of the featured music. Advertisement The series has been expanded to include a new, ninth episode, created from previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage of Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr coming together around the release of the original series. The series streams exclusively on Disney+ Beginning November 26. © Apple Corps Ltd The new edition features expanded episodes on Disney+ and a new volume of the companion albums The three-volume Anthology Collection, originally curated by George Martin and now remastered by Giles Martin, has also been expanded to include Anthology 4. This new volume includes 13 previously unreleased demos and session recordings and other rare recordings. It also includes new mixes of The Beatles’ Anthology-associated hit singles: “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love”, given… Read More →

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Bruce Dickinson doesn’t want Iron Maiden to play the Las Vegas Sphere

Bruce Dickinson and Iron Maiden aren’t keen on playing at the Las Vegas Sphere – see what the frontman had to say below. READ MORE: Iron Maiden – ‘Senjutsu’ review: an imaginative instant classic The futuristic state-of-the-art venue opened in 2023 and has since hosted residencies from the likes of U2, Phish, The Eagles and the Backstreet Boys. It was also recently confirmed that a new Sphere venue will be constructed in Abu Dhabi and Metallica are reportedly in talks for a residency. Advertisement While playing at The Sphere now seems to be a milestone that some bands are working towards, it seems not everyone shares that sentiment. Speaking to Eddie Trunk for SiriusXM, Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson expressed his thoughts on the venue when asked if they’d want to perform there. “No. It’s not Maiden. Maiden’s about the relationship between the band and the audience, and the show, whilst it’s a show, is an enhancement to what we do. The Sphere, as far as I can gather… I mean, I appreciate what you’re saying about it — it’s all encompassing, it’s this and that, it’s the other — but I think the band would be very uncomfortable with the idea.” [embedded content] “I mean, we just do a… Read More →

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Al Jardine hits out at Mike Love’s “serious megalomania problems” for speech at Brian Wilson’s funeral: “I didn’t feel the compassion”

Al Jardine has accused his former Beach Boys bandmate Mike Love of “megalomania problems” for his speech at Brian Wilson’s funeral. READ MORE: Brian Wilson, 1942-2025: culture-defining innovator who represented pop music’s awakening Wilson, the band’s visionary leader, died in June from respiratory arrest at the age of 82 and his funeral was held in early July in Los Angeles, with many of his friends and former collaborators attending. Advertisement Singer/lyricist Love and guitarist Jardine, both founding members of The Beach Boys, gave speeches at the ceremony, and in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Jardine has taken a swipe at Love and accused him of drawing attention to himself. “Mike wanted everybody to know that he wrote every single word of ‘Good Vibrations’,” Jardine said. “I didn’t feel the compassion, let’s put it that way. Mike’s got some serious megalomania problems.” “I was focusing on Brian, and Mike was more focused on Mike,” he added. “I think that is what it boils down to.” [embedded content] Jardine is also said to have referenced Love’s comments in his own speech at the funeral. “Mike, I’ve written some songs with Brian myself. We wrote one called ‘Surfin’ Down The Swanee River’. It… Read More →

Hit Singles

The Replacements to release Let It Be (Deluxe Edition) – listen to an unheard “Androgynous” now

The Replacements are reissuing Let It Be as an expanded, deluxe edition. The group’s 1984 album is reappearing, remastered, alongside a host of live and studio rarities, some previously unreleased, on October 24. Advertisement The extra material includes Goodnight! Go Home!, a live set from Chicago‘s Cubby Bear venue from that year, while Live At City Gardens, a set recorded at a Trenton punk venue is available only via the Rhino website. To go with the announcement, The Replacements have released an alternative version of “Androgynous”, complete with different vocal take and a longer piano intro – listen to the track here. The tracklist for the 4LP version of Let It Be (Deluxe Edition) is: Advertisement 1 I Will Dare2 Favorite Thing3 We’re Comin’ Out4 Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out5 Androgynous6 Black Diamond7 Unsatisfied8 Seen Your Video9 Gary’s Got A Boner10 Sixteen Blue11 Answering Machine12 Gary’s Got A Boner (Alternate Version)13 Favorite Thing (Alternate Version)14 Perfectly Lethal15 Temptation Eyes16 Who’s Gonna Take Us Alive17 Heartbeat, It’s A Lovebeat18 Answering Machine (Home Demo #1)19 Answering Machine (Home Demo #2)20 Street Girl (Takes 1 and 2)21 Sixteen Blue (Alternate Version)22 Unsatisfied (Full Length Version)23 Androgynous (Alternate Version)24 20th Century Boy25 Hey Good… Read More →

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Jack White slams Donald Trump’s “vulgar, gaudy” White House redesign

Jack White has criticised President Donald Trump‘s “gaudy” redesign of the Oval Office and the White House – see what he had to say below. READ MORE: Jack White – ‘No Name’ review: surprise album is maestro’s punkiest outing since White Stripes In March, images of a newly revamped Oval Office and other interior spaces within the White House were unveiled, now decked out in a slew gold ornaments, picture frames and more. While its not uncommon for presidents to redesign the interior of the White House, Trump’s redesign has been criticised in recent months for being too gaudy. Advertisement Now, following Trump’s recent meeting with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, Jack White has hit out the the US President’s “disgusting taste”. White wrote in an Instagram post: “Look at how disgusting trump has transformed the historic White House. It’s now a vulgar, gold leafed and gaudy, professional wrestler’s dressing room.” White continued, hitting out at Trump’s recent announcement that he wants to host a UFC event outside the White House: “Can’t wait for the UFC match on the front lawn too, he’s almost fully achieved the movie Idiocracy. Look at his disgusting taste, would you even buy a used car from… Read More →

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Noel Gallagher on Oasis reunion: “It’s great being back in a band with Liam – I forgot how funny he was”

Noel Gallagher has opened up about the “great” experience of being back on tour with his brother Liam, saying he had forgotten “how funny” he is. Oasis recently wrapped up the opening UK and Ireland leg of their massive comeback tour with a third show in Dublin’s Croke Park on Sunday (August 17), and they will now head across the Atlantic for a total of nine dates in the US, Canada and Mexico. Advertisement They are the first shows that the Gallagher brothers have played together since their acrimonious split 16 years ago, and in a new interview, Noel has spoken about enjoying the tour so far. Speaking on the phone to Talksport, he reflected on the image of him embracing his brother at the end of the first show. “It’s great just to be back with Bonehead and Liam, and just be doing it again. I guess when it’s all set and done, I’ll sit and reflect on it, but it’s great being back in a band with Liam. I’d forgotten how funny he was.” [embedded content] When asked by presenter Andy Goldstein about the strength of Liam’s vocals at the shows, Noel quipped: “It’s AI.” Recommended “Liam’s smashing… Read More →

Hit Singles

Sanam’s Sametou Sawtan reviewed: confrontational, progressive and at times deeply beautiful

Even by Lebanon’s standards, the period from 2019 to 2021 was a turbulent period in the country’s history. In October 2019 protests against political corruption and the government’s poor handling of the stagnating economy erupted across the country. A new government was formed, yet this too crumbled in the wake of the huge explosion that rocked Beirut’s port area in August 2020. Rolling blackouts, shortages of fuel and medicines and general economic woe kept the protests – many of which were driven as much by women as men – continuing well into 2021. If the problems are still very much present, the turmoil did have one unexpected result. Previously keeping to their own districts of Beirut, the musicians in the city’s underground rock and experimental scene were sparked into greater collaboration by the collective action of the protest movement. The most prominent group to come from that melting pot so far is Sanam. Advertisement Originally coming together to back Faust’s Hans Joachim Irmler at 2021’s Irtijal festival, the six Lebanese musicians stayed together afterwards to create their own group. With their drums, bass, electric guitar and vocals they’re able to harness the power of Western rock music, but their sound… Read More →

Hit Singles

Cass McCombs: “Music should be personal”

“Plenty of dust rippling through time…” In the run-up to Interior Live Oak, his alchemically melodious new LP, Cass McCombs’ plan was to strip the songs’ arrangements to their communicative basics. “When you do that,” he says, “it’s amazing how swift everything moves. Choice can often be a burden so when you’re working with the essentials, it can be exhilarating. If the song is written well enough it really doesn’t need very much except to be understood in a very rudimentary way. Jason [Quever, co-producer] and I fell back into our approach from years ago, him on drums, me on guitar. Plenty of dust ripping through time.” That reconnection with the past shows in the set’s contemplative, at times elegiac mood: “Music should be personal, it should speak from the soul. I don’t think the slickness of session musicians can hold a candle to what friends can do – that’s what lasts, this personal connection.” Advertisement As with 2022’s Heartmind, some of Interior Live Oak deals with the deaths of close friends; yet McCombs has no advice on how to tackle those experiences. “I’ve lost some close people but I have no profound insight on how to grieve. Actually, I… Read More →

Hit Singles

Allen Toussaint’s Toussaint reviewed: New Orleans master steps out on solo landmark

Watching Allen Toussaint late in his career, after his post-Katrina collaboration with Elvis Costello, The River In Reverse, finally legitimised him as a solo performer, he cut a warm-hearted, gentlemanly figure. Lacking a star’s ego or showmanship, he amply compensated with impish charm and eccentric wit. His mild, modest voice barely brushed his songs, and he amiably acknowledged his own albums’ negligible appeal next to the hits he wrote, produced and arranged for fellow New Orleanians Ernie K-Doe (“Here Come The Girls”), Irma Thomas (“Ruler Of My Heart”), The Meters (“Look-ka Py Py”) and Dr. John (“Right Place, Wrong Time”). He was in his element at the piano, hands skipping and flicking the keys in second-line style, priceless pop history reaching back to Professor Longhair at his fingertips. Toussaint was an “oblique character”, a visitor to his studio observed in 1974, as he made his fourth stylistically varied attempt to record his best-known album, Southern Nights, gripped by uncharacteristic uncertainty when he turned his A&R talents inwards. “I try to write songs according to how I visualise their personality,” he said of his other clients, yet he struggled to apply the process to himself. “I don’t respect my voice,” he… Read More →

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NCT’s Haechan announces debut solo album

NCT member Haechan has announced his debut solo album, ‘Taste’ READ MORE: TWICE at 10: “I honestly don’t know how the time flew by so fast” Yesterday (August 18), NCT and SM Entertainment shared the news on social media platforms, confirming that the album is due for release on September 8 at 6pm KST. Advertisement They’ve also shared a schedule poster for the album, informing fans of the upcoming previews and teasers that will arrive ahead of the album’s launch. Check out the release schedule below. HAECHAN The 1st Album ‘TASTE’ Schedule Poster HAECHAN 【TASTE – The 1st Album】➫ 2025.09.08 6PM (KST) 💿 Pre-orderhttps://t.co/HgBwodZTSO#HAECHAN #해찬 #TASTE #HAECHAN_TASTE #NCT #NCT127 #NCTDREAM pic.twitter.com/KSZJe213s3 — NCT (@NCTsmtown) August 18, 2025 The album will contain a total of 11 tracks, including lead track ‘CRZY,’ pronounced “crazy.” All tracks are R&B-inspired and will spotlight his unique sound as an artist. “The title of the album has a double meaning,” SM Entertainment said. “The first is that Haechan will share his taste in the music that he has liked since his childhood, and the second means that fans will ‘taste’ his music for the first time as a solo artist.” Haechan debuted as a member of NCT… Read More →

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Twenty One Pilots release gritty new single ‘Drum Show’

Twenty One Pilots have shared another new track from their forthcoming album ‘Breach’ in the form of ‘Drum Show’. READ MORE: Twenty One Pilots – ‘Clancy’ review: concept-heavy finale that falls short The gritty new single lands on the rockier end of the Columbus duo’s output and even packs a surprisingly heavy bridge. Notably, it the first single they have released to date to feature vocals from drummer Josh Dun, who primarily sings the repeating lines “I’ve been this way/I want to change.” Advertisement It is the second track to have been released from ‘Breach’ so far, following June’s lead single ‘The Contract’. The album itself, the follow-up to last year’s ‘Clancy’, will be released on September 12 via Fueled By Ramen. Check out ‘Drum Show’ below: [embedded content] The group have also announced a run of North American headline shows, dubbed ‘The Clancy Tour: Breach’. Dates are scheduled in Toronto, Milwaukee, Hartford, Virginia Beach, Tampa, Dallas, Los Angeles and other cities throughout September and October. Recommended Any remaining tickets can be found here and you can check out the full list of dates below. Twenty One Pilots’ ‘The Clancy Tour: Breach’ tour dates are: SEPTEMBER18 – TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH 20… Read More →

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Here’s when BLACKPINK will be releasing a new album

YG Entertainment has shared an update on BLACKPINK‘s comeback album – find out more below. READ MORE: BLACKPINK – ‘Born Pink’ review: K-pop titans consolidate their identity Earlier this month, South Korean media outlets reported that BLACKPINK were plotting to release a new EP later this year. At the time, YG Entertainment put out a simple response saying that official updates will come from the label at a later date. Advertisement Now, YG Entertainment’s founder Yang Hyun Suk has shared an update on the matter and more in a YG Announcement video on YouTube. Besides shedding new light on BLACKPINK’s next material, he also spoke about other groups like TREASURE and BABYMONSTER. Addressing BLACKPINK’s next release, he revealed that the group are currently in the process of working on a new EP, and that while a firm release date has yet to be locked in, the label hopes to release the project in November “at the latest”. [embedded content] Yang Hyun Suk’s full address on BLACKPINK was: “A lot of fans are curious about BLACKPINK’s album. I know that the BLACKPINK members and producers in charge of them are working very hard preparing the album. I’m hoping for BLACKPINK’s album to… Read More →

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Ronnie Rondell Jr, Hollywood stuntman set on fire for Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ album cover, has died

Ronnie Rondell Jr, the Hollywood stuntman who was famously set on fire for Pink Floyd‘s ‘Wish You Were Here’ album cover, has died, aged 88. READ MORE: Anton Corbijn tells us about his first documentary ‘Squaring The Circle’ and the power of rock’n’roll art studio Hipgnosis Rondell Jr, who was also an actor, died on August 12 at a care home in the US state of Missouri, according to an online obituary, via BBC News. Advertisement He was involved in the production of a number of films and TV shows during his career, including Lethal Weapon, Thelma And Louise and Star Trek: First Contact. While many might not recognise Rondell Jr’s name, he was most famous for being set alight for the iconic cover of Pink Floyd’s 1975 album ‘Wish You Were’ Here, while shaking hands with fellow stuntman Danny Rogers. Pink Floyd – ‘Wish You Were Here’ (1975) Aubrey Powell, who took the photograph for the album cover, previously told The Guardian that Rondell Jr had been reluctant to do the stunt and said it was more dangerous than an action scene. He said at the time: “I explained to Ronnie what I needed and he said: ‘It’s dangerous… Read More →