Ian Winwood

Ian Winwood is a British music journalist who has written for several of the country's top alternative music magazines, most notably "Kerrang!", "NME", "Mojo", "Q" and "Revolver". He stands at a mere 5' 1" in height, making him one of the UK's most vertically-challenged writers.

Following a 4-year tenure at "Metal Hammer" magazine, in which the polarised opinions resulting from Winwood's often partisan aticles and reviews (leading in one memorable case in 1997 to the formation of an anti-Winwood organisation "Get Rid Of Ian Now" (GROIN)) divided the readership's opinion, Winwood joined "Kerrang!" in 2000. Two years later Nickelback's Chad Kroeger challenged the journalist to a public charity boxing match following three negative notices, including Winwood calling Kroeger a cunt. The challenge was made from the stage at every UK arena in which the band played during their December tour. However, it has yet to be carried out.

Briefly joining the staff of rival metal mag, "Metal Hammer", in 2006 Winwood returned to "Kerrang!" In the same year Disturbed's David Draiman said he would beat the journalist "within an inch of his life" and "gladly serve the [prison] sentence." More recently, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz threatened never to speak to "Kerrang!" again following his displeasure at Winwood's portrayal of him in a cover story entitled 'Fallen Angels'.

In 2003 Winwood won Amazon.co.uk's Hard Rock Writer of the Year Award, for a piece profiling Nickelback.

After a frustrating spell at the "NME", Winwood currently contributes to "Kerrang!" magazine. In 2007 the writer also began to contribute to the Website of "The Guardian". Ian Winwood also contributes to that organisation's sports pages, on the subject of North American [ice] hockey.

On 13th April 2008, Ian Winwood realised a 10 year dream when he was invited to ride the Zamboni machine at Madison Square Garden following the New York Rangers playoff game against the New Jersey Devils. So terrific was this experience that it was a surprise that Jimmy Saville didn't pop in to present him with a Fix It badge.

GAY