Signature moment

Best known as Billy Idol’s collaborator of 40-plus years, Steve Stevens transcends the punk-rock guitarist mould, taking in flamenco, jazzfusion, prog and classical styles – and he remains as excited about guitar today as he was when he first picked one up

Fifty years on from their first successes, Roger McGuinn, the 12-string architect of THE BYRDS , tells Uncut about their exceptional first 18 months – and his relationship with Gene Clark. As the young group make their jet-powered escape from the folk think tank, we hear about making the scene on the Strip, outraging Iowa and a muted response in the United Kingdom. But ultimately how “Eight Miles High” became the spectacular conclusion of the band’s first era. “I almost left The Byrds entirely to go and be in this space band With Dino Valente,” McGuinn tells John Robinson

Black And Blue UMC/POLYDOR

In the spring of 1974, DAVID BOWIE arrived in the United States by boat. By the time he left in the spring of 1976, his marriage was ending, his cocaine addiction was spiralling, and he'd become obsessed with Nazis. He'd also made another masterpiece: Station To Station. "We went days without sleeping," his valiant co-conspirators tell GRAYSON HAVER CURRIN. "Inhibitions were out the window."

Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist and positive force Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield left us on November 20.

From the bayou to Woodstock and back – the easygoing adventures of Bobby Charles. By John Mulvey.