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Paul Kirkley
Paul Kirkley is an award-winning writer, interviewer, TV critic, columnist and composer of self-aggrandising mini biogs. His favourite bands include Marillion and Girls Aloud, and not many people can say that. His proudest CP achievement is memorising all 23 members of Bucks Fizz (and associated spin-offs).
With his debut solo album The Gift recently reissued as a lavish boxset, Midge Ure recalls his annus mirabilis – when not even Joe Dolce could stop him hitting the…
Ultravox – the OTHER Fab Four
As Ultravox’s Quartet album gets the deluxe reissue treatment, Midge Ure and Billy Currie recall the highs and lows of its creation with legendary producer George Martin How’s this for…
Rick Astley: This Charming Man
Singer, songwriter, meme, icon… Rick Astley sits down with Classic Pop to talk road trips, Glastonbury, The Smiths and the remarkable afterlife of THAT song… The year is 1987, and…
Dr Robert interview: A kind of magic
As the Blow Monkeys’ Animal Magic returns as a new deluxe reissue, frontman ‘Dr Robert’ Howard tells Classic Pop how his plan to rope in a certain children’s TV legend…
Simple Minds interview: “We wanted to be underground and alternative but we just couldn’t help ourselves”
Despite being forged from personal loss amidst a global pandemic, Simple Minds’ latest album, Direction Of The Heart, aims to shine a positive light in dark times – AND It…
Ricky Ross interview: Walking back to happiness
When Covid derailed Deacon Blue’s 2020 plans, Ricky Ross stayed home and made a solo record, Short Stories Vol.2. But he’s also got a longer tale to tell, though, in…
Fatal Attraction: Del Amitri interviewed
In 2021 Del Amitri returned with Fatal Mistakes – their first new album in 19 years. “If anyone can make a great Del Amitri record, it should be us,” Justin…
Space is the place – Marti Pellow interviewed
In 2021, Marti Pellow was a man on a mission – and even a global pandemic wasn’t enough to stop him recording an ambitious double album inspired by a diverse…
The Boo Radleys interview: “I think there’s always been that dichotomy about us”
More than 20 years after calling it a day, The Boo Radleys are back – older, wiser, and minus their original songwriter. “People are giving us a chance,” singer Sice…
Toyah Willcox interview – “I know that starting my career as third gender limited me”
When the world fell silent in 2020, Toyah Willcox decided it was time to make some noise. The result was Posh Pop, the singer’s first album in 13 years –…