Vintage Rock Magazine

Of all the pioneering artists that launched rock’n’roll into the mainstream, surely Little Richard is the wildest of them all. And when he landed with Tutti Frutti in 1955, the world had seen nor heard anything like it. In that seismic moment, the big beat stepped up a gear, its racy wordplay and pounding piano-driven rhythm as infectious as it was revolutionary. The self-proclaimed Architect Of Rock’n’Roll was showing everyone that this was how to do it.

Inside this issue, we celebrate the career and legacy of one of the era’s most ostentatious and entertaining artists who demanded his peers up the ante to keep up with him, but also one whose reach extended far beyond his era – everyone from David Bowie and Prince to contemporary stars such as Little Nas X and Chappell Roan have all professed their adoration for the Georgia Peach.

Also inside, we go deep into rockabilly rebel Gene Vincent’s catalogue, we chat to Dion DiMucci about his new album and memoir, plus we tell the story of the pivotal album that united Robert Gordon with Link Wray to ignite the rockabilly revival in the States.

Elsewhere, as they celebrate 50 years in business, Bear Family Records co-owner Detlev Hoegen discusses the label’s journey and surviving the streaming age, there’s an extract from new book The Life And Trials Of Cliff Richard covering Cliff pre-fame, and we remember hillbilly torchbearers Maddox Brothers And Rose. Other features include the making of The Chords’ seminal single Sh-Boom, guitarist Geoff Hunt on the history of Teddy Boy bands Crepes And Drepes and Chevrolet, and avant-garde rockabilly Tav Falco opens up about his new album, Desire On Ice. And plenty more besides!

Happy New Year one and all – what a way to start the 2026!