MOJO Issue 225 / August 2012

FREE CD! THE ROOTS OF THE ROLLING STONES: MOJO presents 15 Stones-approved classics with Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Muddy Waters and more! BRIAN JONES: They were loud, scruffy, wild and dangerous, and they were led by a young, blond-haired grammar school delinquent with a grip on everything. Paul Trynka goes back to the Stones’ earliest years, when Brian Jones was their leader and it was all about the blues.

TOM JONES: How did a young lad from Pontypridd survive TB and the advances of Joe Meek to become a Vegas-conquering ’70s colossus? Tom Doyle talks self-parody, hair dye and guilt with the Voice of the Valleys.

PUBLIC ENEMY: Formed in New York in 1982, they politicised ’80s rap, turning noise into melody and power. Andy Cowan speaks to the architects of rap.

THE TRASHMEN: Two-and-a-half minutes of amped-up doo-wop gibberish, Surfin’ Bird sowed the seeds for garage and punk. Max Décharné talks trash with the men who knew “the bird is the word”.

MELODY GARDOT: In 2003 an horrific road accident left her unable to walk or talk. Now she is one of the most remarkable singers of her generation. Lois Wilson has her emotions stirred.

JOHN LYDON: Back with PiL, railing against the Jubilee reissue of the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen, John Lydon is a contrarian and an enigma. Andrew Perry gets behind his mask – but not under his skin.

REVIEWED: Antony & The Johnsons / Syd Arthur / Advance Base / Betty Wright / The Beach Boys / Blur / The Beat / Philadelphia International Records / The Book Of English Folk Songs / The Rolling Stones in photos / Searching For Sugar Man doc / Dexys live / Madonna in the Middle East.

PLUS!: Farewell, Robin Gibb, Donna Summer and Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn / Willie Nelson speaks / In the studio with Jonathan Wilson and Roy Harper / Lisa Marie-Presley’s Self Portrait / Ian Gillan and Jeff Fenholt on Jesus Christ Superstar.

AND FINALLY...how to buy... Hüsker Dü!