Hammond B3 organ ace Delvon Lamarr doesn’t worry about mistakes

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 15, 2022 By Steve Newton Here's a tip for young entertainment journalists just starting out: before you interview musicians who might be headed to your city for a gig, check out their tour itinerary. That's what I did before calling up Delvon Lamarr of Washington State's Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and … Continue reading Hammond B3 organ ace Delvon Lamarr doesn’t worry about mistakes

Kim Simmonds ponders an early-’70s era Savoy Brown reunion with the guys from Foghat

"If we're gonna do somethin' we should do it quick," says SImmonds, "because we're not gettin' any younger, obviously."

Newt’s top 20 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, Dec. 16-18

Keithmas XIII is at the Rickshaw By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Canadian rock legend Tom Cochrane performs at the Pacific Coliseum as part of the PNE Winter Fair, which includes holiday-themed food and beverages, an outdoor marketplace, live kids' shows, and ice-skating in the Agrodome. If Cochrane doesn't play "Life is a Highway" you should ask … Continue reading Newt’s top 20 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, Dec. 16-18

That time Devin Townsend told me that he thought the guitar was a stupid instrument

By Steve Newton Back in September of 1993 I did my second interview with Canadian rocker Devin Townsend, who has since gone on to become one of the most prolific and admired metal musicians in the world. He's been called a musical genius, and deservedly so. But back in '93, when he was 21, Townsend … Continue reading That time Devin Townsend told me that he thought the guitar was a stupid instrument

Steve Miller recalls his “unpleasant” experience with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

By Steve Newton After he was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame in 2016, Steve Miller famously ranted against the Rock Hall, citing its lack of female inclusion (no women were inducted that year) and what Miller claimed was a disrespect for the artists the institution was meant to honour. When the 78-year-old … Continue reading Steve Miller recalls his “unpleasant” experience with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

That time Geddy Lee told me that Rush had 4,000 albums

By Steve Newton Back in April of 1997 I did my first interview with Rush bassist-vocalist Geddy Lee. At the time the group was touring behind its Test for Echo album, and that tour marked the first time Rush had taken the "An Evening With" approach, where there is no opening act and it's just … Continue reading That time Geddy Lee told me that Rush had 4,000 albums

Newt’s top 10 (or 12) things to do in Vancouver this week, Dec. 12 to 16

Just a Season plays Guilt & Co. By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the Rio Theatre of Chunky Shrapnel, a feature-length live music documentary from the Australian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. Love that name. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the City of Vancouver’s annual Festival of Lights is a winter wonderland featuring more than one million lights decorating 15 … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 12) things to do in Vancouver this week, Dec. 12 to 16

That time Alex Lifeson told me that Rush had considered expanding to a four-piece in the ’70s

Back in January of 1992 I interviewed Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson while the band was touring behind its latest album, Roll the Bones.

That time back in ’84 when Judas Priest’s Rob Halford told me that metal was a young musical force

bev davies photo By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford back in May of 1984, when Judas Priest was touring behind its Defenders of the Faith album. At one point in the conversation I mentioned how one of Priest's songs from two years earlier, "You've Got Another Thing … Continue reading That time back in ’84 when Judas Priest’s Rob Halford told me that metal was a young musical force

That time Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars told me that the music he loves most is blues-based stuff like Edgar and Johnny Winter

By Steve Newton I've interviewed Mick Mars a couple of times. The first time was way back in 1985 when Mötley Crüe was touring behind its Theatre of Pain album. The following excerpt is from my second interview with Mars, which happened in March of 1999, when the original lineup had reunited after recording one … Continue reading That time Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars told me that the music he loves most is blues-based stuff like Edgar and Johnny Winter

Newt’s top 20 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Dec. 9-11

Jim Campilongo plays the BlueShore at CapU By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Nancy Ho and Arash Narchi host Laughter on the Drive, a fundraiser for the BC Crisis Centre featuring comedians Jacob Samuel, Kwasi Thomas, Tanya Sabrina, Danielle Florence, Aidan DeSousa, Martin Navarro, and Toben Spencer-Iang at Havana. FRIDAY: American comedian and actor Kevin Hart performs … Continue reading Newt’s top 20 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Dec. 9-11

That time I asked Neil Finn what inspired him to write one of my all-time favourite tunes, Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Crowded House frontman Neil Finn back in August of 1998, when he was touring behind his debut solo album, Try Whistling This. I'd been a fan of Crowded House since the 1986 release of its first album, which featured one of the most beautiful pop songs … Continue reading That time I asked Neil Finn what inspired him to write one of my all-time favourite tunes, Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”