
Ben Rogerson
I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.
Latest articles by Ben Rogerson

Songwriter Desmond Child had to fight for Livin' On A Prayer's killer chorus – and for the song itself
By Ben Rogerson Published
“Richie and I knew what we had, and at another writing session we got on our hands and knees, literally, and begged Jon to at least try it”

Singer-songwriter Eloise talks voice notes, vocal harmonies and learning guitar by watching YouTube
By Ben Rogerson Published
“I don't write any lyrics down, because I've always had this rule, which is if it's a good song and you have got your feelings right, you will remember it the next day”

Billy Ray Cyrus on the moment he was inspired to beat his vocal paralysis
By Ben Rogerson Published
“Up until that moment, he had never spoken to me at all. I wasn't even sure if he knew my name. In that moment I thought, ‘He's telling you something’"

Randy Newman playfully accepts Taylor Swift’s praise as they sing You Got A Friend In Me together
By Ben Rogerson Published
“He is the king of making us feel the absolute most and pulling at our heartstrings and making us laugh,” Swift had said

Thomas Bangalter reveals Daft Punk's extreme preparation for the heat of their iconic 2006 Coachella set
By Ben Rogerson Published
“I was one of the robots, but now I’m just a human without any superpowers," he says

They might be Gen-Z's new favourite band, but the chances of a Dire Straits reunion are "nil"
By Ben Rogerson Published
One of their biggest hits is currently going gangbusters on TikTok

How Brian May ended up playing his 'Sword of Power' Red Special on the Masters of the Universe theme
By Ben Rogerson Published
"He shows up and he's carrying two giant boxes of He-Man toys that he still had in his attic from his son," says director Travis Knight

Jennifer Lopez says that she was advised to change a song because it sounded too similar to a Whitney Houston hit
By Ben Rogerson Published
“I was like, ‘But I like my song,’” she recalls

Olivia Rodrigo confirms new song featuring Robert Smith, then immediately sings it live with him
By Ben Rogerson Published
The pair previously sang together at the Glastonbury festival last year

Taylor Swift thanks “the incomparable” Randy Newman as she releases her Toy Story 5 song
By Ben Rogerson Published
“Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time," she says

“They inspire me to be weirder and more myself”: Olivia Rodrigo names her current favourite band
By Ben Rogerson Published
“I was so lucky to get to perform with them at Lollapalooza last year,” she adds

Christopher Cross admits that he "ripped off" Paul McCartney on Ride Like The Wind
By Ben Rogerson Published
"I don't think I've ever told Paul that. He's probably gonna say ‘I should have gotten royalties’”

Scientists finally unravel the mysteries of a pianist’s ‘touch’ after measuring hand and finger movements
By Ben Rogerson Published
Is the humble piano a far more expressive instrument than we previously thought?

Paul McCartney shows you how to play the mystery guitar chord that kickstarted his new album
By Ben Rogerson Published
“These notes are D, C, Eb and B,” he confirms

Taylor Swift reunites with Jack Antonoff for Toy Story 5 song, I Knew It, I Knew You
By Ben Rogerson Published
Can it compete with Randy Newman and Sarah McLachlan's gut-wrenching effort from Toy Story 2, though?

Lindsey Buckingham spots something familiar in a hit Sam Fender song as he ponders the influence of Fleetwood Mac
By Ben Rogerson Published
“The general kind of limits that the song puts on itself is very much like what we would do,” he says

How Radiohead were finally convinced to embrace wireless guitar and mic tech for their most recent shows
By Ben Rogerson Published
“We brought it into Jonny Greenwood’s studio and did some blind tests. We all listened and even the most cynical guitar techs were impressed!”

Audience member steps in for ailing keyboard player during a live orchestral showing of La La Land
By Ben Rogerson Published
“I took a little bit of a creative liberty and just decided to improvise, which I think ended up being a good choice,” says 21-year-old student Sterling Nasa

Commodores co-founder and bassist Ronald LaPread has died, aged 75
By Ben Rogerson Published
“They said, ‘oh man, it’s too black’”

"I mean, it’s extraordinary": Roger Daltrey says that his voice is as strong as ever
By Ben Rogerson Published
"I’ve always said, ‘Use it or you lose it,’" he says. "But you can use it too much and once people do that, I wish they’d shut up, and there are a few out there who should”

Olivia Rodrigo responds to being asked if she has a frosty relationship with Taylor Swift
By Ben Rogerson Published
“I just try to make songs that I love and try to be kind and good to other people and supportive of other people, and I’ve always like tried to be like that," she says

SSL just released a new budget audio interface – and it comes at an “unprecedented price point”
By Ben Rogerson Published
The SSL 1 is a 2-in/2-out device that comes at a very tempting price

Paul McCartney wants to get his hands on Prince’s unearthed cover of a classic Beatles song
By Ben Rogerson Published
Back in 1998, Prince said that reviving an artist's voice after their death is "the most demonic thing imaginable"
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