We join the Classic Rock team as they tell us the album that most disappointed them in 2008, their favourite song of the year and their nomination for hero of the year.

Scott Rowley (editor in chief)

Hero of the Year 2008: I believe that in the real world there was some important election somewhere? In the world of rock the heroes are the guys who keep on doing it. I thought that Brian Johnson gave the best interviews: funny, grounded, honest ­ just like a normal geezer ­ which made me proud to be a fan (even if I am a Bon Scott man). Wayne Kramer was the best performer I saw all year ­ single-handedly getting a crowd on its feet for the MC5/Primal Scream gig at the Festival Hall and generally just being the coolest 60s survivor still gigging. “Remember: take it easy – but take it.”

Most Disappointing Album of 2008: Black Ice. It grew on me, but I have to admit to having a month or so of “Is this it?” But I seem to be relatively alone in that appraisal. I had unrealistic expectations. (Someone said to me, “It’s just AC/DC” – ie it sounds like every other AC/DC album. I said, ” Yeah, but Riff Raff, Whole Lotta Rosie, Highway To Hell, Back In Black: that’s ACfuckingDC.” I won’t have it that all AC/DC albums sound the same and so it’s OK if they don’t excel themselves.

Song of 2008: Too hard to choose one: The 59 Sound by Gaslight Anthem, Satan’s Finest by Graveyard, On The Radio by Thunder, Carolina Drama by the Raconteurs, Please Come in by Black Stone Cherry, Woah Mule by Black Crowes, Don’t Drink The Water by The Stone Gods, Anything Goes by AC/DC, Sneak Out by Rose Hill Drive…It’s been a good year.

Sian Llewellyn (editor)

Hero of the Year 2008:
Ronnie Wood at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour. He was a diamond.

Most Disappointing Album of 2008:
Metallica¹s Death Magnetic

Song of 2008:
Better by Guns N Roses (even though we heard it in 2007)

Geoff Barton (editor at large)

Hero of the Year 2008:
Doro for her performance at Hard Rock Hell

Most Disappointing Album of 2008:
The Cosmos Rocks – Queen + Paul Rodgers

Song of 2008:
Naked On The Dancefloor – Towers Of London

Brad Merrett (art editor)

Hero of the Year 2008:
Ronnie Wood

Most Disappointing Album of 2008:
AC/DC

Song of 2008:
All Nightmare Long – Metallica

Paul Henderson (production editor)

Hero of the Year 2008:
Jack Bruce for saying what probably lots of people
think.

Most Disappointing Album of 2008:
AC/DC’s ‘Black Ice’

Song of 2008:
Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody

Ian Fortnam (reviews editor)

Hero of the Year 2008:
Ronnie Wood

Most Disappointing Album of 2008:
AC/DC – ‘Black Ice’

Song of 2008:
Rock ‘N’ Roll Psychosis – Jim Jones Revue