Posts by author
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.
After more than four decades together, “funny little Swiss boys” Yello are still innovating. In this interview from 2016, they talked to Classic Pop about stagefright, the dangers of success……
Tom Bailey interview: “It can be harder to write pop when you’re older”
Previously a cult proposition across the albums A Product Of… and Set, US hit In The Name Of Love inspired Tom Bailey to transform Thompson Twins from a seven-piece cult……
Nick Beggs interview: “Limahl became untenable pretty quickly. He was a difficult character.”
In the 40 years since Too Shy became a smash, Nick Beggs has played with ABC, Belinda Carlisle and Howard Jones, as well as being a distinctive bass presence in……
The Human League: The Virgin Years Box Set review
We deep dive into The Human League’s The Virgin Years LP boxset featuring best-selling albums like Dare, Romantic? and more. Here’s what we think… Something of a misnomer, this vinyl……
a-ha interview: “Diplomacy doesn’t really work in a-ha”
Seemingly on the verge of splitting for the third time when last year’s documentary a-ha: The Movie brought their simmering tensions to the boil, with typical contrariness the band are……
Duran Duran’s Medazzaland – a look back
Duran Duran’s Medazzaland is the record that could have sunk the band – especially when John Taylor left. But, as Nick Rhodes tells Classic Pop, they continued with a bold……
Depeche Mode – Playing the Angel: The 12″ Singles review
Could this be the best Depeche Mode 12” boxset since 1990’s Violator? Read our full review of the band’s 10-disc dance triumph… Effectively the last hurrah for multi-format physical singles,……
Seal: Seal Deluxe Edition Boxset review
The latest deluxe boxset from Seal is a timely reminder that he remains one of Britain’s premier league pop stars and that producer Trevor Horn is a right raver when……
Reviewed: Blondie – Against The Odds: 1974 -1982
Blondie’s long-delayed boxset is well worth the wait (and the weight), reaching beyond the golden hits to show how inventive the New Yorkers really were Buy Blondie – Against The……
Review: Too-Rye-Ay: As It Should Have Sounded
Too-Rye-Ay is now finally living up to Kevin Rowland’s vision, with extras showing the battle to get it right, here’s our review… Buy Too-Rye-Ay: As it should have sounded CD boxset……