This month, the cover star is Paul McCartney. Looking wacky and fun. Holding a pair of green eyes, removed from their sockets. Photographed some time in the 60s when he was in a band you may have heard of called The Beatles. It captures him in a mischievous mood, even an experimental one, which suits the gist of the article: namely, that Paul was the ‘weird’ Beatle, the playful, adventurous one, the one likeliest to push the envelope and take the Fabs into uncharted musical areas. JR Moores, author of a new book on McCartney’s exploits in the 90s, argues in our cover feature that Paul’s penchant for the outré and ‘strange’ reaches way back to the mid-60s and continues to this day.
Elsewhere, David Essex is grilled by Bob Stanley in the RC Interview hot seat. Ian Shirley names artist-producer-collaborator Brian Eno’s 50 ‘Greatest Hits’. We mark the passing of Steve Harley in 2024 with a reminder of his greatness, especially circa Cockney Rebel. Kris Needs speaks to sole survivor Irmin Schmidt about Can’s greatness, especially live. Continuing our ‘city singles’ series, prompted by RC’s 45th anniversary, Jeremy Allen picks 45 of the best 45s made by Bristol bands and singers. Jack Watkins hails Bob Wills the King of Western Swing. Charles Donovan meets 70s rock goddesses, Fanny. And we ask: who’s afraid of The Art Of Noise at 40? Plus, this issue comes with a 2025 calendar, continuing our 45th anniversary by focusing on the 45s of the year, 1980.
The Fat Angel Sings 