Tracing David Bowie’s live evolution from Ziggy Stardust to the Glass Spider Tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 14, 1987 By Steve Newton When David Bowie’s Glass Spider Tour hits Vancouver this Saturday (August 15), it will be the latest in a succession of immense theatrical spectacles that Bowie has been bringing to the world for the last decade and a half. North American audiences first became aware of … Continue reading Tracing David Bowie’s live evolution from Ziggy Stardust to the Glass Spider Tour

17 minutes in a hotel room with Peter Frampton on David Bowie’s Glass Spider Tour

Pete n’ Dave in ’87 By Steve Newton The vast majority of my interviews with rock legends have been over the phone. The idea is to catch the artist on tour when they’re headed to town and get the story published in time to help sell some tickets–and maybe a few albums to boot. But … Continue reading 17 minutes in a hotel room with Peter Frampton on David Bowie’s Glass Spider Tour

David Bowie’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton David Bowie would have turned 75 today. Man was he special. 20. “Time Will Crawl” (Never Let Me Down, 1987) 19. “Panic in Detroit” (Aladdin Sane, 1973) 18. “The Secret Life of Arabia” (Heroes, 1977) 17. “Young Americans” (Young Americans, 1975) 16. “The Man Who Sold the World” (The Man Who Sold … Continue reading David Bowie’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

The Georgia Satellites’ Rick Richards on opening for Bowie, playing with Zevon, and lamenting Atlanta’s music scene

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 14, 1987 By Steve Newton The last time the Georgia Satellites were in Vancouver they opened for Bob Seger at BC Place. That was an understandable pairing, since both acts are known to boogie till the cows come home. This time around the Satellites will be on the same bill as … Continue reading The Georgia Satellites’ Rick Richards on opening for Bowie, playing with Zevon, and lamenting Atlanta’s music scene

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Nov. 11-13

The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer plays the Hollywood By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Chicago alt-rock band Smashing Pumpkins plays Rogers Arena on the Spirits on Fire Tour, with guests Jane’s Addiction. FRIDAY: Vancouver blues-rock duo the Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer play the Hollywood Theatre, with guests History of Gunpowder. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker joins the Vancouver Symphony in a … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Nov. 11-13

Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in April

The Black Crowes play the Orpheum By Steve Newton Shaun Verreault: Vancouver blues-rock guitarist-vocalist and Wide Mouth Mason member. April 1 at the Roxy. Schryer, Dobres & Hillhouse Trio: Canadian Celtic supergroup composed of fiddler Pierre Schryer and guitarists Adam Dobres and Andy Hillhouse. April 5 at the ACT Arts Centre. Alestorm: pirate-metal quintet from … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in April

The 30 best title tracks of the ’70s, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

5 guys from Chilliwack High’s Class of ’75 rob hall photo By Steve Newton The title track wasn’t always the best song on an album in the ’70s. But when you were standing in the record store, rabidly poring over the brand new LP by your favourite band, that title could get deeply imbedded in … Continue reading The 30 best title tracks of the ’70s, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

That time John Cougar told me that he was looking forward to the US Festival (but then he didn’t go)

By Steve Newton I interviewed John Mellencamp for the first time when he was still called John Cougar. Back in May of 1983 he was touring behind his latest album, American Fool, but for some reason the Vancouver show got canceled and the interview I did with him never ran. At one point in the … Continue reading That time John Cougar told me that he was looking forward to the US Festival (but then he didn’t go)

Album review: Mick Ronson, Heaven and Hull (1994)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 1994 By Steve Newton From his early-’70s glory-and-glitter days as the muscular, platinum-haired axeman in David Bowie‘s Spiders from Mars to his workmanlike late-’80s club gigs with Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson always proved himself a rock guitarist of the highest order. When Ronson succumbed to cancer on April 29 of … Continue reading Album review: Mick Ronson, Heaven and Hull (1994)

Fanny: The Right to Rock shines a light on underdogs from the ’70s

By Steve Newton Fanny: The Right to Rock, a music documentary currently streaming on Crave, gets the inside scoop on the very first all-female rock band to get signed to a major label. If you’ve never heard of Fanny, don’t be too surprised. The way the groundbreaking quartet was overlooked in the history of rock … Continue reading Fanny: The Right to Rock shines a light on underdogs from the ’70s

Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in January

Sunny War plays the Fox By Steve Newton Blues Hoodoo: jazz-funk quintet composed of guitarist Konrad Breuers, saxophonist Ian Putz, keyboardist Stuart “Stubop” Young, bassist Shawn Stewart, and drummer Ron Wells performs original tunes and covers of Chick Corea, Jeff Beck, Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, and the Brecker Brothers. January 12 at Frankie’s Jazz. Johnny … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in January

Newt’s top 10 (or 11) things to do in Vancouver this week, July 24 to 28

The Warriors screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: 50th anniversary screening at the Rio Theatre of director D.A. Pennebaker’s Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders From Mars: The Motion Picture, the concert film documenting David Bowie’s final performance as his musical alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, digitally restored with never-before-seen footage. MONDAY: British pop duo from … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 11) things to do in Vancouver this week, July 24 to 28

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 31 to August 4

Brit Floyd plays the Queen E. By Steve Newton MONDAY: 50th anniversary screening at the Rio Theatre of director D.A. Pennebaker’s Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders From Mars: The Motion Picture, the concert film documenting David Bowie’s final performance as his musical alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, digitally restored with never-before-seen footage. MONDAY: Pink Floyd tribute band Brit Floyd, featuring long-time … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 31 to August 4