Beth Simpson

Beth Simpson

News and features writer

Beth Simpson is a freelance music expert whose work has appeared in Classic Rock, Classic Pop, Guitarist and Total Guitar magazine. She is the author of 'Freedom Through Football: Inside Britain's Most Intrepid Sports Club' and her second book 'An American Cricket Odyssey' was published in 2025.

Latest articles by Beth Simpson

Glenn Hughes retires from live performance on medical advice: "Thank you for walking beside me."

By Beth Simpson Published

Ex Deep Purple vocalist requires open heart surgery

Singers & Songwriters
“He’s like an alien": Gracie Abrams is impressed by Paul Mescal’s left handed guitar playing

By Beth Simpson Published

She says their relationship has had “the most amazing effect” on her writing

Singers & Songwriters
A Pressing Matter: Suno to launch its own bespoke vinyl pressing and shipping service

By Beth Simpson Published

The resulting one-offs could end up being very valuable

Recording
“How much longer do I want to do this anyway?”: Brandon Flowers appears to be having an existential crisis

By Beth Simpson Published

Killers singer releases his third solo album in two weeks

Singers & Songwriters
“It’s like a really smart guitar pedal”: Empire Of The Sun’s Luke Steele says “of course” he uses AI

By Beth Simpson Published

Meanwhile, pro-AI Boy George calls Bandcamp a “bunch of c***s” for banning his controversial track

Singers & Songwriters
Olivia Dean (R) presents Sam Fender (L) with the 'Song of the year' award on stage during The BRIT Awards 2026 at Co-op Live on February 28, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Sam Fender joins Olivia Dean at Lollapalooza as they celebrate a UK singles chart record

By Beth Simpson Published

Rein Me In has now spent more weeks at number one than any other song

Singles And Albums
SEVILLE, SPAIN - JULY 07: Moby performs in concert at Iconica Santalucia Sevilla Fest on July 07, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Bianca de Vilar/Getty Images)
“You guys invented rave culture”: Moby praises Britain’s historic contribution to dance music

By Beth Simpson Published

He was headlining Brighton’s On The Beach fest

Artists
Smashing Pumpkins and Olivia Rodrigo
Watch Olivia Rodrigo guest with Smashing Pumpkins for Thirty Three at Lollapalooza

By Beth Simpson Published

Billy Corgan and co were headlining in their home city of Chicago

Singers & Songwriters
BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 07: British singer and drummer Phil Collins of the band Genesis performs live on stage during a concert at Mercedes Benz Arena on March 7, 2022 in Berlin, Germany.
Phil Collins reveals the origins of his feud with Paul McCartney, and how it ended up being resolved

By Beth Simpson Published

He's also been discussing the extent of his alcoholism, and how it almost killed him

Artists
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Steve Hackett performs at Fox Theater on November 18, 2025 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images)
“I would even play harmonica or do a walk on”: Steve Hackett is still open to a hypothetical Genesis reunion

By Beth Simpson Published

Band haven’t played live since 2022

Guitarists
Richie Sambora performs onstage at the 33rd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala held at Fairmont Century Plaza on June 05, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images)
Richie Sambora offers some eyebrow-raising advice to aspiring guitarists

By Beth Simpson Published

Ex Bon Jovi man also discusses his love of Jimi Hendrix

Guitarists
(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Duran Duran at photo studio in Tokyo, May 2, 1982. (Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
“Mick said ‘You know you really do need to stick together'”: How Jagger stopped Duran Duran from splitting

By Beth Simpson Published

Plus, the ever-present keyboard player reveals that he never wears jeans but does collect cheese labels

Artists
HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 11: (L-R) Musicians Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden attend the premiere of Marvel Studios' "Marvel's The Avengers" held at the El Capitan Theatre on April 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
Drummer Matt Cameron confirms that a final Soundgarden album is currently being mixed

By Beth Simpson Published

It comprises eight tracks recorded with Chris Cornell before his death in 2017

Bands
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: Bernie Taupin and Elton John accept the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress at DAR Constitution Hall on March 20, 2024 in Washington, DC.
"It’s a whole different ballgame for him”: Bernie Taupin on Elton John's next album

By Beth Simpson Published

Lyricist has a solo record out in October

Singers & Songwriters
Glen Hansard watches performance of Freddie Mercury impersonator Brian Keville, during the annual Christmas Eve busk in aid of the Dublin Simon Community outside the Gaiety Theater in Dublin.
Bono, Bob Geldof, Bruce Springsteen, Billie Eilish and Finneas mourn Glen Hansard

By Beth Simpson Published

The singer-songwriter was killed in a motorcycle accident on Wednesday

Artists
Two people hold up their vinyl copy of the Oasis record cover, 'What's the Story Morning Glory' on Soho's Berwick Street, on 26th January 2026, in London, England.
As the UK album chart turns 70, the biggest seller of all time has been confirmed

By Beth Simpson Published

Only Queen and Abba's greatest hits packages have sold more

Singles And Albums
L-R: Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle of Roxette perform on stage at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, Docklands Arena, London, 11th November 1990. (Photo by Phil Dent/Redferns)
How Roxette repurposed a Christmas song for the Pretty Woman soundtrack and ended up with a US No 1

By Beth Simpson Published

The single has just passed one billion YouTube views

Artists
Olivia Dean performs 'Man I Need' on stage during The BRIT Awards 2026 at Co-op Live on February 28, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney and Raye score Mercury Prize 2026 'best album' nominations

By Beth Simpson Published

Former winners Dave and Suede have also made the shortlist

Music Industry
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook of BTS perform during the Topps Final Halftime Show in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match
Grammys CEO defends new 'Asian Pop' category after BTS rule themselves out

By Beth Simpson Published

He says intention was to “shine a dedicated spotlight” on important artists

Music Industry
The Beatles
The Beatles' Rubber Soul Special Edition contains a previously unheard John Lennon song

By Beth Simpson Published

George Harrison's favourite is getting a reissue

Singles And Albums
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Glen Hansard performs at The Roundhouse on May 23, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)
Tributes are paid to Glen Hansard, Irish singer-songwriter and star of Once, who has died at the age of 56

By Beth Simpson Published

He was killed this morning in a motorcycle accident

Artists
Machines book
Jean-Michel Jarre has written a history of electronic music

By Beth Simpson Published

Machines features contributions from Hans Zimmer, Gary Numan and many more

Artists
Queen Budapest
A restored and remixed version of Queen's final filmed performance is on the way

By Beth Simpson Published

Queen Budapest will be in cinemas and then released to watch and listen to at home

Gigs & Festivals
English musician Roger Waters performs during his tour "This Is Not a Drill" in Bogota on December 5, 2023.
Rogers Waters answers his critics as he discusses his new version of Comfortably Numb

By Beth Simpson Published

It's been released in a bid to raise funds for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund

Artists
Carly Simon performs onstage during the 2016 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Irving Azoff at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 14, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
Carly Simon opens up about her battles with Parkinson’s, depression and apathy

By Beth Simpson Published

Singer-songwriter releases her first album in 17 years next month

Artists
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