Mick Wall

Its interesting but I have never had anyone interviewed by me for my pod that has provoked a bigger response than those I've done over thr years with Alan Niven. It's the Guns N' Roses connection, of course. Also, don't forget, the fact he also managed (and cowrote songs with) Great White. But the truth is it's actually that and something more. His personality. His character. His intelligence and warmth. His humanity and humour and, I believe, the fact you never feel you're being talked down to or lied to. The very things, ironically, tragically, that convinced Axl he had to get rid of him. Alan speaks truth to poqwer - and not only when the world is watching. Let me know your thoughts.

Alan's book SOUND N' FURY: ROCK N' ROLL STORIES should have come out over a year ago. But Axl Rose has set his lawyers on his publishers and now him personally. But why? Is Axl paranoid about what might be in there? Well, no, he can't be. He knows what's in there because he was sent a copy of the book last year. What then? And why have Axl's lawyers demanded to see every email that's ever been sent between Alan and myself? Find out more...

In the 70s Richard Ogden worked with the greats of rock and metal from Hawkwind to Aerosmith to Ted Nugent to Black Sabbath to Black Oak Arkansas. In the late 80s/early 90s he managed Paul McCartney. Along the way he also started Heavy Publicity, which as Regular Readers will know also gave me my ticket to ride in the late-70s. His fab new book Bigger Than The Beatles is out nowI

Geoff has a new DBA album released this month. It's their 6th. He's also still part of Yes - and Asia - and should it ever arise Buggles.

Their collaborative album, The Roaring Waves, is released 28 August. Here's what they told me about it.

Back in Blackmore for Purple! Followed by what was great in '88 including Maiden, GN'R, Tallica, V.Halen, Diamond Dave and... and...

Jon and I go deep into 1985, the year of hair metal, thrash metal, black metal, Live Aid and Rock In Rio.1985 was the year of Misplaced Childhood and Mötley. Maiden and Megadeth. Jon in school short. Me in head-to-toe leather!Choose your own year and let me know. It could be yooooooouuuu.

Nikki sicks up some shit about playing along to backing tracks. It's good. They don't do it Queen did it so we do too. But we don't play along... Is he ON or OFF the gear again, you wonder?Plus the absolute wonder that was 1980.