Alan Ovington

Alan was first introduced to rock bands like Rush and Saxon through friends in the Scouts whilst growing up in South Shields.

Since then he has always been passionate about rock music.

He spent his teenage years discovering The Scorpions, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, by listening to The Friday Rock Show on Radio 1 with Tommy Vance, and Alan Robson's Hot n’ Heavy Express on Metro Radio.

Alan joined Tameside Radio in March 2008 to begin a weekly specialised music show called ‘The Power Hour’, playing Classic Rock and album tracks.

The show changed its name to ‘The Rock Zone’ in 2012 when it expanded to a two hour timeslot.

Many of the bands Alan was listening to forty years ago are still going strong.

As well as interviewing new and upcoming bands for the show, he’s also had guests on the show such as singers Biff Byford (Saxon), Bob Catley (Magnum), Bernie Shaw (Uriah Heep), Suzi Quatro, guitarists Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis), Michael Schenker (MSG, ex-Scorpions, ex-UFO), and Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple vocalist/bassist). Other notable interviews include Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Joe Bonamassa and Bruce Springsteen.

The Rock Zone focuses on Blues Rock, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, including interviews, tour news and a selection of new releases.

You can hear Alan Ovington’s Tameside Radio show ‘The Rock Zone’ every Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm, and is repeated on a Friday at 9pm.

HERE ARE SOME OF ALAN'S PREVIOUS SHOWS

 

• Alan Ovington's Album Review - 21 Jun 2024

  On Axel Rudi Pell's 22nd studio album ‘Risen Symbol’, the Bochum-based guitarist and songwriter continues to fly the melodic hard rock flag without watering down his style with pseudo-modern stylistic variations or expendable studio gimmicks. At the same time, he is constantly looking for new influences, exciting inspirations and catchy hooks.

• Alan Ovington's Album Review - 20 June 2024

  Joanne Shaw Taylor, the chart-topping British blues-rock guitarist, recently released her latest studio album, 'Heavy Soul'. Joanne is recognized for her exceptional guitar skills and powerful songwriting. She continues her ascent in the music world with this new album.

• Alan Ovington's Album Review - 13 Jun 2024

  Invocation is the name of the exhilarating and highly anticipated brand-new 11-track album from slide guitar virtuoso Troy Redfern. There are elements of blues, glam, and hard rock but the result is a sound that is unmistakably his own.

• Alan Ovington's Album Review - 6 Jun 2024

  Ebba Bergkvist & The Flat Tire Band is a Swedish blues rock band who freely moves between heavy guitar riffs, raw garage rock and heartbreaking blues. With her powerful voice, Ebba Bergkvist mends the bond between the rock of the 70s and our modern soundscape, with the music’s energy as the most essential. 

• Alan Ovington's Album Review - 11 Apr 2024

  Following the Ellis Mano Band's European tour last year in support of the critically acclaimed "Luck of the Draw" album, fifteen songs recorded in Germany and Switzerland have now been released on their first live album "Live: Access All Areas".

• Alan Ovington's Album Review - 4 Apr 2024

  "Fortuna", the long-awaited studio album from the British Blues rock roots guitarist and vocalist Bex Marshall, is a ten-track blues tapestry that bulges to the edges with addictive hooks and story lines.