Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony is a Cardiff-based rock fan and writer. He is author of the recently published book ‘Words and Music: Excursions in the Art of Rock Fandom’. He also writes for Uber Rock and is a contributor to Prog Magazine.

First musical love: Neil Diamond (‘Hot August Night’ – I still think it’s one of the best live albums ever!)

First rock album: Deep Purple: The Mk.II Singles (in purple vinyl)

First gig: Saxon – Strong Arm of the Law tour, 1980 (life changing!)

“Choosing just five bands is an almost impossible task,” says Michael. “Ask me tomorrow and you’ll get a different list! I made things easier for myself by not considering solo artists, like Dylan, Kate Bush and Geoff Mann, but I still couldn’t fit in bands like Twelfth Night, Magnum, MSG and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, or current favourites like Rival Sons, Bigelf and the Von Hertzen Brothers. In the end I went for impact on both my life as a fan and rock music in general and I can’t really imagine a list that excludes any of the five bands I’ve chosen. There’s so much good music around and ‘the scene’ seems astonishingly healthy at the moment. I haven’t even mentioned new bands like Beware of Darkness or the Dead Shed Jokers, both of whom have the potential to do great things.”

Michael's TOP 5 BANDS:

1. Marillion
2. Deep Purple
3. Black Sabbath
4. Led Zeppelin
5. The Doors