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John Earls
Writing for Classic Pop since our first issue, John has been to Adam Ant’s house, sworn at by Bob Geldof, touched Johnny Marr’s favourite guitar, interviewed Richard Coles on his vicarage bed and serenaded with Last Christmas by Shirlie Kemp. John first specialised in writing about music as editor of Teletext’s Planet Sound music column from 2000-09 and now writes about pop for a range of magazines and national newspapers. A Luton Town fan, John also writes about football. His bucket list interviews for the magazine are Grace Jones, Kylie, Siouxsie Sioux and Andrew Ridgeley.
In the two decades since hoovering up Brits and the Mercury Prize with their debut LP, Franz Ferdinand have remained energetic and excitable, in love with the possibilities of what…
Band Aid Feeds The World – remembering a Christmas miracle
In 2024, Band Aid celebrated the 40th anniversary of Do They Know It’s Christmas? with a compilation edition of the various incarnations. Here producer Trevor Horn explains the thrill of…
Review: Kim Wilde – Closer
Review: Kim Wilde – Closer ★★★★ The pop legend’s first studio LP in seven years sees her return to a very specific time, to showcase what she’s been up to…
Review: Nick Heyward – North Of A Miracle Reissue
Review: Nick Heyward – North Of A Miracle reissue ★★★★ The solo catalogue of Haircut One Hundred’s frontman has long been neglected. Now with the band reunited, that’s finally starting…
Into The Gap – Thompson Twins interview
In our exclusive Thompson Twins interview, Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway share their story together after nearly 40 years… Pioneers who were a riot of colour and mischief,…
The Human League Interview
When Classic Pop met for its Human League interview in autumn 2024, Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall and Susan Sulley offered a remarkably candid insight into their usually private world… It’s…
Review: Dee C. Lee – Just Something
Review: Dee C. Lee – Just Something (Acid Jazz) ★★★★ ½ The former Wham! member and Style Councillor returns with Just Something – a stunning modern soul classic As Dee…
Review: Thompson Twins – Into The Gap 40th Anniversary Reissue
Review: Thompson Twins – Into The Gap 40th Anniversary Reissue (BMG) ★★★★☆ For its 40th birthday, Thompson Twins’ biggest commercial moment receives a thorough 3CD set filling in all the…
Review: Tears For Fears – Songs For A Nervous Planet
Review: Tears For Fears – Songs For A Nervous Planet (Concord) ★★★★☆ As if Curt and Roland’s first ever official full live album isn’t enough, there’s an additional bonus EP…
Review: Kylie Minogue – Tension II (BMG)
Review: Kylie Minogue – Tension II (BMG) ★★★★☆ Sequel albums are rare, yet Kylie justifies her decision to return to the studio with Tension II – an intense nine-song blast…