Darren Johnson
@darrenjohnson66.bsky.social
Music writer. Social Democrat. Environmentalist.
"Glam rock aficionado" - The Spectator
Out 29 August: 'Steeleye Span On Track' via Sonicbond Publishing
"Glam rock aficionado" - The Spectator
Out 29 August: 'Steeleye Span On Track' via Sonicbond Publishing
Reposted by Darren Johnson
This week’s featured artist: singer-songwriter Stuart Mick Macfarlane – new album ‘The Test of Time’
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
This week’s featured artist: singer-songwriter Stuart Mick Macfarlane – new album ‘The Test of Time’
Stuart ‘Mick’ Macfarlane is a Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist based in the Glasgow area. He has performed his folk-flavoured acoustic songs across Scotland, holding long-running residenci…
darrensmusicblog.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:08 PM
This week’s featured artist: singer-songwriter Stuart Mick Macfarlane – new album ‘The Test of Time’
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
This week’s featured artist: singer-songwriter Stuart Mick Macfarlane – new album ‘The Test of Time’
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
This week’s featured artist: singer-songwriter Stuart Mick Macfarlane – new album ‘The Test of Time’
Stuart ‘Mick’ Macfarlane is a Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist based in the Glasgow area. He has performed his folk-flavoured acoustic songs across Scotland, holding long-running residenci…
darrensmusicblog.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:08 PM
This week’s featured artist: singer-songwriter Stuart Mick Macfarlane – new album ‘The Test of Time’
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/30/t...
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Gypsy Roadhog Single:
Jan 21, 1977
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Barn Records (catalog number 2014 104) on January 21, 1977.
Slades "Gypsy Roadhog" backed with "Forest Full of Needles", was the sole single from the band's seventh studio album and reached No. 48 on the UK charts.
Jan 21, 1977
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Barn Records (catalog number 2014 104) on January 21, 1977.
Slades "Gypsy Roadhog" backed with "Forest Full of Needles", was the sole single from the band's seventh studio album and reached No. 48 on the UK charts.
January 21, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Gypsy Roadhog Single:
Jan 21, 1977
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Barn Records (catalog number 2014 104) on January 21, 1977.
Slades "Gypsy Roadhog" backed with "Forest Full of Needles", was the sole single from the band's seventh studio album and reached No. 48 on the UK charts.
Jan 21, 1977
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Barn Records (catalog number 2014 104) on January 21, 1977.
Slades "Gypsy Roadhog" backed with "Forest Full of Needles", was the sole single from the band's seventh studio album and reached No. 48 on the UK charts.
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Telegram Sam Single:
Jan 21, 1972
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by EMI Records through T. Rex Wax Co. on January 21, 1972, was accompanied by "Cadilac" and "Baby Strange".
The song was the groups third UK number one single, remaining at the top of the charts for two weeks.
Jan 21, 1972
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by EMI Records through T. Rex Wax Co. on January 21, 1972, was accompanied by "Cadilac" and "Baby Strange".
The song was the groups third UK number one single, remaining at the top of the charts for two weeks.
January 21, 2026 at 6:31 AM
Telegram Sam Single:
Jan 21, 1972
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by EMI Records through T. Rex Wax Co. on January 21, 1972, was accompanied by "Cadilac" and "Baby Strange".
The song was the groups third UK number one single, remaining at the top of the charts for two weeks.
Jan 21, 1972
Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by EMI Records through T. Rex Wax Co. on January 21, 1972, was accompanied by "Cadilac" and "Baby Strange".
The song was the groups third UK number one single, remaining at the top of the charts for two weeks.
"Zack Polanski told the Guardian he believed Britain should wean itself off its reliance on American military cooperation, though would not say whether he supported spending more money to replace that capability."
The last bit reveals how deeply unserious he is.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The last bit reveals how deeply unserious he is.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK should consider expelling US forces from British bases, says Zack Polanski
Exclusive: Green party leader advocates leaving Nato and says Britain should wean itself off its reliance on the US
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:56 AM
"Zack Polanski told the Guardian he believed Britain should wean itself off its reliance on American military cooperation, though would not say whether he supported spending more money to replace that capability."
The last bit reveals how deeply unserious he is.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The last bit reveals how deeply unserious he is.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Darren Johnson
14 January 1966 - Small Faces release Sha La La La Lee / Grow Your Own. www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm
January 14, 2026 at 7:23 PM
14 January 1966 - Small Faces release Sha La La La Lee / Grow Your Own. www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Following the re-release of his solo album Devil’s Highway on 2nd January, I catch up with guitar legend and founding member of Stray, Del Bromham. Read full interview here.
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
Rock and Roll Survivor: interview with Del Bromham of Stray
Following the re-release of his solo album Devil’s Highway on 2nd January, I catch up with guitar legend and founding member of Stray, Del Bromham. We talk about the making of the album, grow…
darrensmusicblog.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Following the re-release of his solo album Devil’s Highway on 2nd January, I catch up with guitar legend and founding member of Stray, Del Bromham. Read full interview here.
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Local councillor leaves political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric to join political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Another Merseyside Reform win as councillor joins from Greens
Nigel Farage's party has already announced the arrival of three Wirral councillors this morning
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Local councillor leaves political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric to join political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Local councillor leaves political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric to join political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Another Merseyside Reform win as councillor joins from Greens
Nigel Farage's party has already announced the arrival of three Wirral councillors this morning
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Local councillor leaves political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric to join political party led by a populist charlatan spouting simplistic, undeliverable rhetoric.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Following the re-release of his solo album Devil’s Highway on 2nd January, I catch up with guitar legend and founding member of Stray, Del Bromham. Read full interview here.
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
Rock and Roll Survivor: interview with Del Bromham of Stray
Following the re-release of his solo album Devil’s Highway on 2nd January, I catch up with guitar legend and founding member of Stray, Del Bromham. We talk about the making of the album, grow…
darrensmusicblog.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Following the re-release of his solo album Devil’s Highway on 2nd January, I catch up with guitar legend and founding member of Stray, Del Bromham. Read full interview here.
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
darrensmusicblog.com/2026/01/13/r...
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Remembering the great Philip Lynott, who died 40 years ago today, aged just 36. This archive piece from the Guardian is an attempt to measure his considerable reach as a songwriter, recording artist and performer in just 10 tracks: www.theguardian.com/music/musicb...
January 4, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Remembering the great Philip Lynott, who died 40 years ago today, aged just 36. This archive piece from the Guardian is an attempt to measure his considerable reach as a songwriter, recording artist and performer in just 10 tracks: www.theguardian.com/music/musicb...
Reposted by Darren Johnson
George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass' hit #1 on the US albums chart 55 years ago on January 2, 1971 | Discover where it ranks in our Beatles solo album readers' poll here: album.ink/BtlsSoloPoll
January 3, 2026 at 2:22 AM
George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass' hit #1 on the US albums chart 55 years ago on January 2, 1971 | Discover where it ranks in our Beatles solo album readers' poll here: album.ink/BtlsSoloPoll
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Opposing anti-Muslim bigotry does not require reverence for Islam.
Criticism of religion ≠ hatred of people.
People have rights.
Ideas do not.
Criticism of religion ≠ hatred of people.
People have rights.
Ideas do not.
January 2, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Opposing anti-Muslim bigotry does not require reverence for Islam.
Criticism of religion ≠ hatred of people.
People have rights.
Ideas do not.
Criticism of religion ≠ hatred of people.
People have rights.
Ideas do not.
Reposted by Darren Johnson
"Iranians have held deep seated grievances against the system for many decades. They've been protesting consistently since 2009."
Sanam Vakil (@chmenap.bsky.social) on the latest round of anti-government protests sweeping across Iran, via @cnn.com ⤵️
Sanam Vakil (@chmenap.bsky.social) on the latest round of anti-government protests sweeping across Iran, via @cnn.com ⤵️
January 2, 2026 at 4:40 PM
"Iranians have held deep seated grievances against the system for many decades. They've been protesting consistently since 2009."
Sanam Vakil (@chmenap.bsky.social) on the latest round of anti-government protests sweeping across Iran, via @cnn.com ⤵️
Sanam Vakil (@chmenap.bsky.social) on the latest round of anti-government protests sweeping across Iran, via @cnn.com ⤵️
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Reposted by Darren Johnson
The T.Rex Cover Story : 1972
Bolan’s cosmic rise explodes across Sounds – the full T.Rex saga with poster!
Sounds, January 1, 1972.
more pages to follow.
Bolan’s cosmic rise explodes across Sounds – the full T.Rex saga with poster!
Sounds, January 1, 1972.
more pages to follow.
January 1, 2026 at 12:16 PM
The T.Rex Cover Story : 1972
Bolan’s cosmic rise explodes across Sounds – the full T.Rex saga with poster!
Sounds, January 1, 1972.
more pages to follow.
Bolan’s cosmic rise explodes across Sounds – the full T.Rex saga with poster!
Sounds, January 1, 1972.
more pages to follow.
I'm truly hoping 2026 will see an end to this regime of murderous religious fanatics who have been been making the Iranian people's lives a misery since 1979.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
‘We want the mullahs gone’: economic crisis sparks biggest protests in Iran since 2022
Demonstrations against deteriorating living conditions have widened to include criticism of how Iran is governed
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:40 AM
I'm truly hoping 2026 will see an end to this regime of murderous religious fanatics who have been been making the Iranian people's lives a misery since 1979.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Darren Johnson
2025 in Darren’s music blog – the ten most popular posts of the year
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
2025 in Darren’s music blog – the ten most popular posts of the year
A Happy New Year to all my readers and my sincere thanks to everyone who has visited Darren’s music blog during 2025. As well as 65 posts covering an eclectic musical mix of folk, prog, glam, heavy…
darrensmusicblog.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM
2025 in Darren’s music blog – the ten most popular posts of the year
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
Those who are really good at spotting extremism from white supremacists are often really shit at spotting extremism from Islamists.
And those who are really good at spotting extremism from Islamists are often really shit at spotting extremism from white supremacists.
And those who are really good at spotting extremism from Islamists are often really shit at spotting extremism from white supremacists.
December 28, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Those who are really good at spotting extremism from white supremacists are often really shit at spotting extremism from Islamists.
And those who are really good at spotting extremism from Islamists are often really shit at spotting extremism from white supremacists.
And those who are really good at spotting extremism from Islamists are often really shit at spotting extremism from white supremacists.
Hopefully, I've not left it too late in the year. Just planted 100 crocus bulbs out at the front to bring a bit of colour for early spring before the daffodils come up.
December 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Hopefully, I've not left it too late in the year. Just planted 100 crocus bulbs out at the front to bring a bit of colour for early spring before the daffodils come up.
2025 in Darren’s music blog – the ten most popular posts of the year
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
2025 in Darren’s music blog – the ten most popular posts of the year
A Happy New Year to all my readers and my sincere thanks to everyone who has visited Darren’s music blog during 2025. As well as 65 posts covering an eclectic musical mix of folk, prog, glam, heavy…
darrensmusicblog.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM
2025 in Darren’s music blog – the ten most popular posts of the year
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/28/2...
The CD Fairy has been! In anticipation of getting some money and a gift voucher from my mum and stepmum for Christmas, I ordered some CDs but didn't open the packets until this morning. Merry Christmas everyone.
December 25, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The CD Fairy has been! In anticipation of getting some money and a gift voucher from my mum and stepmum for Christmas, I ordered some CDs but didn't open the packets until this morning. Merry Christmas everyone.
Reposted by Darren Johnson
Live review: The Amy Winehouse Band at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill 18/12/25
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
Live review: The Amy Winehouse Band at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill 18/12/25
My final gig of the year. And rather than my more typical diet of folk, glam rock and heavy metal, it’s the Amy Winehouse Band. The project brings together musicians who played with Amy Wineh…
darrensmusicblog.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Live review: The Amy Winehouse Band at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill 18/12/25
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
Live review: The Amy Winehouse Band at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill 18/12/25
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
Live review: The Amy Winehouse Band at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill 18/12/25
My final gig of the year. And rather than my more typical diet of folk, glam rock and heavy metal, it’s the Amy Winehouse Band. The project brings together musicians who played with Amy Wineh…
darrensmusicblog.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Live review: The Amy Winehouse Band at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill 18/12/25
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
darrensmusicblog.com/2025/12/22/l...
Reposted by Darren Johnson
I also don't want to live in a country where ministers rather than courts decide who is and isn't released on bail pre-trial.
There are many good criticisms to make of the system as it works in practice right now without implicitly arguing that we need an explicitly politicised justice system.
There are many good criticisms to make of the system as it works in practice right now without implicitly arguing that we need an explicitly politicised justice system.
December 21, 2025 at 12:09 PM
I also don't want to live in a country where ministers rather than courts decide who is and isn't released on bail pre-trial.
There are many good criticisms to make of the system as it works in practice right now without implicitly arguing that we need an explicitly politicised justice system.
There are many good criticisms to make of the system as it works in practice right now without implicitly arguing that we need an explicitly politicised justice system.