Classic Rockers salute their heroes

The British magazine Classic Rock has enlisted a slew of classic rockers to pay tribute to the people who inspired them. When the call went out, artists such as Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan, Queen guitarist Brian May, Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, Mountain singer-guitarist Leslie West, and Peter Frampton saluted their heroes, including David Bowie, Cream singer-bassist Jack Bruce, Beatles singer-guitarist John Lennon, Elvis Presley, and British rock pioneer Hank Marvin.

Brian May on John Lennon: "From the moment I heard 'Love Me Do' on the radio, I knew this bunch of guys were magic... as time went on, it became apparent that John Lennon was at the heart of this awesome power... Lennon... was, is, and always will be... IT."

Rick Wakeman on David Bowie: "I can honestly say that I learned so much from him, both in the studio and just through spending time with him... For me, David could well go down in rock history as the not only 'the man who sold the world,' but bought it back in order to give it the music he had collected along the way."

Peter Frampton on Hank Marvin: "Hank Marvin & the Shadows are without a doubt the Number One reason that I began playing guitar... And really, for any English guitarist of my era -- Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page -- if you say the name Hank Marvin they go: 'Woooaah!'... I've been fortunate enough to meet him a few times over the years, and we cut a song together called 'My Cup Of Tea' for my new album (Fingerprints). It was probably the best day of my life."

Leslie West on Jack Bruce: "When Mountain broke up in 1972, he was the first person I called to put something new together.. When (West, Bruce & Laing) got together in Los Angeles for our first tour, we started playing (Cream's) 'Sunshine Of Your Love' -- it was definitely one of those goosebump moments to look over and see him there in the room. Jack Bruce will always be a very important person to me."

Ian Gillan on Elvis Presley: "Elvis's voice was unique. Like so many others he had natural, technical ability, but there was something in the humanity of his voice, and his delivery. He was very influenced by Southern blues, and he helped to prove that you could have this bizarre mixture of country & western, blues, and folk music... I was an avid collector of Elvis's early stuff -- for a young singer, he was an absolute inspiration... Elvis will always be 'The King.' The reason is simple: He was the greatest singer that ever lived."
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