That time I asked Canadian fingerstyle-guitar virtuoso Don Ross how he got so good

By Steve Newton I interviewed Canadian guitar virtuoso Don Ross for the first time back in 2001, when he was touring behind his Huron Street album. Ross is the only person to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship twice (1988 and 1996), so yeah, he’s shit-hot. At one point in the conversation I asked him … Continue reading That time I asked Canadian fingerstyle-guitar virtuoso Don Ross how he got so good

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend

don ross plays the Mel Lehan Hall on Sunday. By Steve Newton The 41st annual Vancouver International Film Festival features over 300 films being shown at the VIFF Centre, Cinematheque, and Rio Theatre until Sunday. The Vancouver Canucks take on the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Arena on Friday. Vancouver jazz guitarist Jared Burrows and Italian pianist Carlo Morena lead their … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend

That time AC/DC producer Bruce Fairbairn requested some Chip & Pepper swag for the band, adding “these guys are small”

By Steve Newton Big things come in small packages, so they say, and in the world of hard rock there isn’t anything bigger than AC/DC. But man are those guys tiny–or some of them are, at least. I mean, check out this backstage photo from an AC/DC concert in 2001. That’s me on the right … Continue reading That time AC/DC producer Bruce Fairbairn requested some Chip & Pepper swag for the band, adding “these guys are small”

John Oates plugs new Hall & Oates book, says things could be worse for pop music’s most successful duo

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 7, 1984 By Steve Newton With some 40 million records sold worldwide, Daryl Hall and John Oates are probably the most popular duo in contemporary music. In 13 years the two have garnered nine gold and five platinum albums, with their songs topping not only pop, but adult contemporary, R&B, and … Continue reading John Oates plugs new Hall & Oates book, says things could be worse for pop music’s most successful duo

Tommy Chong goes Cheech-less, reunites with Bobby Taylor to form the Far Out Man Band

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton Whether you’re a new-age hemp addict, old-fashioned hippie, or charter member of the John Birch Society, you’ve probably heard of Cheech & Chong, counter-culture heroes to millions of adolescents. In the ’70s, Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong turned out comedy albums like Big Bambu and … Continue reading Tommy Chong goes Cheech-less, reunites with Bobby Taylor to form the Far Out Man Band

Collective Soul’s Ed Roland is still shocked by the success of “Shine”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 1994 By Steve Newton In today’s high-tech, high-finance music world–where flavour-of-the-month recording “artists” of questionable talent can essentially buy fame with expensive corporate-funded video clips–it’s nice to know that devoted, honest folks with simple, strong tunes can still get a shot at the big time. Such is the case with … Continue reading Collective Soul’s Ed Roland is still shocked by the success of “Shine”

Dan Hartman flying high 12 years after taking his “Free Ride” with the Edgar Winter Group

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 18, 1985 By Steve Newton Dan Hartman likes to pull people’s legs. That’s why, for the video of his big 1984 hit “I Can Dream About You”, he had four black guys doing the song, singing and dancing and sliding around. The first impression is that one of them must be … Continue reading Dan Hartman flying high 12 years after taking his “Free Ride” with the Edgar Winter Group

Rolling Stone can piss right off: here’s the 100 Greatest Guitarists (that I’ve interviewed) and 50 that I haven’t (yet)

By Steve Newton Google “100 greatest guitarists” these days and what shows up at the top is a total joke. It’s the high ‘n’ mighty Rolling Stone‘s list of the so-called finest, posted from 2015. And man does it suck. But what do you expect from the same bozos who oversee the Rock and Roll … Continue reading Rolling Stone can piss right off: here’s the 100 Greatest Guitarists (that I’ve interviewed) and 50 that I haven’t (yet)

Newt’s Top 10 albums of 2001

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 13, 2001 By Steve Newton Cranky bugger that I am, I often use my allotted space to vent my displeasure with the popular, live music–killin’ DJ scene, but this year I don’t feel like it. Oops, what’s that down there in my Strokes entry? John Hammond Wicked Grin … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 2001

B-movies and true tragedies inspire Canadian guitar wizard Don Ross

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 13, 2003 By Steve Newton Acoustic-guitar wizard Don Ross isn’t much of a Lennon/McCartney kinda guy. As a Beatles-crazed youngster growing up in Ontario, Ross originally wanted to be Ringo Starr—if only because he always drummed on things. But when his sister brought home a guitar from boarding … Continue reading B-movies and true tragedies inspire Canadian guitar wizard Don Ross

Fretmaster Don Ross exposes the Newt to the wonders of acoustic-guitar wizardry

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 29, 2001 By Steve Newton Guitar gods—I can’t get enough of ’em. There’ve always been lots of slots in my CD stacks reserved for fret masters who balance boggling technique with high degrees of feel. Because I’m mostly a rock and blues fan, the vast majority of guitarists I’ve worshipped have … Continue reading Fretmaster Don Ross exposes the Newt to the wonders of acoustic-guitar wizardry

Funked-up Newt gets down with Lionel Richie, gets back up again

chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 19, 1986 By Steve Newton There are two kinds of songs that Lionel Richie can perform as well, if not better, than anyone else in the music world. One is the poignant, yearning love ballad, the type that can choke up even hardened ex-cons with … Continue reading Funked-up Newt gets down with Lionel Richie, gets back up again

Drummer Steve Smith gave up Journey’s arena rock to gain Vital Information

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 27, 1987 By Steve Newton It’s a long way, in musical terms, from the commercial rock of Journey to the improvisational jazz of Vital Information. But for drummer Steve Smith, who appears at the Town Pump Friday (March 27) with Vital Information, it was a route that had to be taken. … Continue reading Drummer Steve Smith gave up Journey’s arena rock to gain Vital Information