Mark Lepage

Mark Lepage is a veteran newspaper and magazine writer who matched his burgeoning literary skills with a devotion to and expertise in popular music, interviewing a who’s who of the rock world (Bono, Madonna, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Lou Reed) as well as the leading lights of film (Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep) and literature (Martin Amis, Norman Mailer).


  • Ozzy, Wildman Survivor

    After cheating death for decades, Ozzy Osbourne exits this world the way he lived in it—loud, chaotic, and unforgettable. Mark Lepage traces Ozzy’s transformation from bat-biting wildman to cultural institution.

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  • Bruce Springsteen’s “Tracks II: The Lost Albums” Box Set Review

    Writer Mark Lepage takes a deep dive into Bruce Springsteen’s new box set and wonders: “Jesu, does this man ever sleep?”

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  • Why 2024’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees Disappoint

    Since inducting legends like Chuck Berry and Elvis, the Rock Hall has slid into generation loss. This year’s mixed-bag lineup—Cher, Foreigner, Dave Matthews Band—raises the question: is it still merit, or just fame?

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  • Has Taylor Swift Become A Distraction?

    As Taylor Swift racks up Grammy wins and global headlines, this piece asks: has the NFL turned her romance with Travis Kelce into peak overexposure—or is the backlash missing the real culprits?

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  • The Rolling Stones:  Hackney Diamonds Review

    Mocked for aging in the ’80s, the Rolling Stones now defy time with Hackney Diamonds—a swaggering, star-studded return that proves, decades on, they still swing harder than anyone thought possible.

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  • The DUALITY of Sinéad O’Connor

    In this moving tribute, Sinéad O’Connor’s battles with trauma, fame, and faith are laid bare—yet it’s her transcendent voice and fierce vulnerability that ultimately defined a life lived beyond the grasp of convention.

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  • Blur: The Ballad of Darren Review

    As Blur returns with The Ballad of Darren, Mark Lepage highlights their mature, melancholic sound—and wonders if the album’s strength might provoke the ultimate Britpop revenge: an Oasis reunion just to spite them.

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  • U2 to inhabit its own planet by end of year

    U2 returns to Vegas to baptize the audacious MSG Sphere, but without founding drummer Larry Mullen Jr.—a symbolic rift in their ‘band of brothers’ mythology that casts shadows over a dazzling reinvention.

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  • The night Jeff Beck was there for me

    In a gritty Montreal summer, a parking lot attendant’s despair is upended by Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart’s “People Get Ready”—a song that, in one haunting night, turns danger and dead-end dreams into deliverance.

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  • The importance of Exile: the 50th Anniversary of the Most Rolling Stones of Rolling Stones Albums

    Fleeing taxes and chaos, the Rolling Stones holed up in a French villa and conjured “Exile on Main St.” — a murky, magnificent sprawl of blues, gospel, and rock’n’roll defiance that still resonates 50 years on.

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  • Judas Priest’s Rob Halford: “Ridiculous, insane, crazy, off my rocker”

    Rob Halford’s brief decision to axe guitarist Andy Sneap nearly derailed Judas Priest’s 50th anniversary tour—until he reversed course, reaffirming the band’s twin-guitar identity and delivering a triumphant metal lesson in self-awareness.

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  • The Dance Renaissance of Men Without Hats

    Ivan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats reflects on his synth-pop revival, embracing ‘80s nostalgia and global tours with humility and humor, performing “The Safety Dance” not once but thrice per show—for three generations of fans.

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  • Did Adele shoot too high?

    Adele’s tearful Vegas cancellation sparked backlash not just for its timing, but for symbolizing spectacle over soul—an irony, given her voice alone could’ve carried a show that ticket holders paid thousands to witness.

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  • Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry: “It’s gotta find a way out.”

    Richard Reed Parry tells Mark Lepage about his folk roots, punk rebellion, and musical evolution. From Arcade Fire’s anthems to solo experimental work, he embraces tradition and innovation, striving to “make beautiful stuff” across diverse musical landscapes.

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