Marshall Ward, Author at RockCellarMagazine

Neil Peart of Rush: The World’s Audience (The Interview)

By Marshall Ward on December 10, 2014 Featured Articles

Neil Peart is widely regarded as one of the greatest — if not the greatest — drummers in rock history. But the stickman for genre-defining Canadian prog-rockers Rush does not carry himself like a rock star, nor does he define himself by the trappings of fame. Away from the stage, he prefers a life of quiet contemplation, good conversation, and the creative outlet of writing. He grants very few interviews, but made an exception for Rock Cellar to discuss the superficiality of stardom, the joys of anonymity, and the meditative joys of being an explorer, a writer, and being what he calls…

The Heart of Ann Wilson

By Marshall Ward on April 2, 2013 Music

With their chugging rhythms and soaring harmonies, Ann and Nancy Wilson’s band Heart topped ’70s and ’80s charts with hits like Barracuda, Magic Man, Crazy On You, Alone, These Dreams, and What About Love, selling over 35 million albums worldwide. Hailed as “the first women of rock” and “feminist icons” by fans and critics alike, Ann and Nancy Wilson made an indelible impact on the direction and sound of American rock music. That’s why, on April 18, Heart will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in L.A., alongside Rush, Donna Summer, Quincy Jones and Albert King. Click image for tour information. (Will open in…

Guitarist Steve Howe of Yes (Interview)

By Marshall Ward on March 4, 2013 Music

Steve Howe, a 40-year rock veteran chats with Rock Cellar Magazine about the evolution of Yes, life on the road as a vegetarian, and the rising interest of albums in the singles-driven digital age.

The 9 Lives of Julie 'Catwoman' Newmar

By Marshall Ward on March 4, 2013 Featured Articles, Music

In the 1960s, Julie Newmar epitomized sex appeal, femininity and wit in her portrayal as Catwoman in the popular Batman television series. As Batman’s femme fatale, Catwoman was the perfect villainess and vixen. Bringing a little sex, glamour and pizzazz to the campy, cult classic – arching her back in a long, sensuous stretch, wearing that sparkly, black bodysuit – Julie Newmar captured the hearts of male (and female) viewers young and old. With beauty, brains and a charming sense of humor, Newmar’s career has spanned six decades, with countless notable television roles playing both comedic and supernatural characters in…

'Africa' by Toto Lives On After 30 Years

By Marshall Ward on February 4, 2013 Music

In the opening line of the song Africa by Toto, David Paich sings: “I hear the drums echoing tonight…” Those drums are still echoing loud and clear on this month’s 30th anniversary of Africa reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The 1983 worldwide hit was written by Toto keyboardist David Paich, along with drummer Jeff Porcaro, who died tragically in 1992. Toto remains one of the top-selling tour acts in the world, with over 30 million records sold. Their upcoming European tour kicks off this May in Brussels, where they’ll be performing hits including Rosanna, Hold the Line, Pamela, I Won’t Hold You Back and, of course, the…

Jason Bonham & Led Zeppelin's Living Legacy (Interview)

By Marshall Ward on February 4, 2013 Featured Articles, Music

Though it’s been over three decades since the untimely death of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, at the age of 32, he is still hailed as one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock and roll. John Bonham’s influence continues to reach new generations – partly through classic Zeppelin recordings, and partly thanks to his son, Jason Bonham, who just kicked off the 2013 Canadian leg of “The Led Zeppelin Experience.” Accompanied by atmospheric video and mesmerizing lighting effects, the show highlights the unique history Jason Bonham shares with the iconic rock quartet. Cranking out songs like Babe I’m Gonna…

Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins Loves Indie Wrestling (Interview)

By Marshall Ward on January 7, 2013 Featured Articles, Music

Although Billy Corgan is best known as the enigmatic frontman of Smashing Pumpkins, lately he has turned his creative energy toward smashing of a different variety: flying elbow smashes, for example. A lifelong fan of professional wrestling, Corgan decided to throw himself into the ring, so to speak, as creative director of the Chicago-based independent wrestling promotion Resistance Pro. Corgan and his partners Jacques and Gabriel Baron debuted the new league in November 2011 at the legendary Excalibur night club in Chicago. And while the Smashing Pumpkins have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, running a wrestling promotion is…

Lisa Marie Presley (Interview)

By Marshall Ward on December 3, 2012 Featured Articles, Music

photo: Troy Paul Though her father remains the reigning king of rock and roll, Lisa Marie Presley hasn’t forgotten her Southern folk roots. “Nothing was planned or contrived in any way and out of it came a very organic record that was always inside of me,” Presley says of Storm and Grace, her first album in 7 years. “It’s this bluesy-folksy record I’m incredibly proud to have made.” Produced by 12-time Grammy winner T-Bone Burnett, the Americana-tinged Storm and Grace marks a departure from the hard rock sound of Presley’s previous albums, To Whom it May Concern (2003) and Now What (2005). Lisa Marie Presley wrapped up…

Rush's "Clockwork Angels" – The Steampunk Novel

By Marshall Ward on November 2, 2012 Featured Articles

The new novel Clockwork Angels begins with the line: “The best place to start an adventure is with a quiet, perfect life…and someone who realizes that it can’t possibly be enough.” Those words ring loud and clear for two small-town boys who dared to dream big: renowned sci-fi novelist Kevin J. Anderson and legendary drummer Neil Peart, who teamed up to convert Rush’s latest album, Clockwork Angels, into a full-length steampunk novel. It’s an innovative combination of music and literature, and the story of a young man on a quest through exotic carnivals, lost cities, and stormy seas, hoping to find the…

Zakk Wylde: Author, Food Connoisseur, Guitar Hero (Interview)

By Marshall Ward on November 2, 2012 Music

In an age when anyone can become a “Guitar Hero” by firing up the Xbox and mashing colored buttons in pace with onscreen prompts, it’s good to know that some bona fide guitar heroes still know to how to shred for real. In the pantheon of rock guitar gods, few loom larger — figuratively and literally — than Zakk Wylde, legendary axeman for Ozzy Osbourne and lead berserker of the southern-fried metal outfit Black Label Society. He walks the walk of a metal overlord — bedecked in biker attire, his blond mane tamed under a black bandana and his bulging biceps…

Author Marshall Ward