Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, October 17-21

the grateful dead’s American Beauty is reimagined on Friday at West Van’s Kay Meek Arts Centre By Steve Newton MONDAY: Timbre Concerts presents Toronto country-rock band the Sadies at the Fox Cabaret, with guests Kacy & Clayton. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the 35th annual Vancouver Writers Fest features dozens of events with local and international writers … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, October 17-21

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Oct. 21-23

gonzo stuntman steve-o is at the vogue on saturday By Steve Newton FRIDAY: American comedian Chris Rock performs standup at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre as part of his Ego Death World Tour 2022. FRIDAY: late-night double-bill at the Rio Theatre of Tod Browning’s Freaks and Shinya Tsukamoto’s Tetsuo: The Iron Man. FRIDAY: Canadian … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Oct. 21-23

A night on the town in Vancouver circa 1985 starts with “Mick from Paradox” and ends with D.O.A.

bev davies photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 7, 1985 By Steve Newton Most people visit the Fraser Arms Hotel to see the Top 40 bands at Frams, but last Saturday night I had the urge for something a little more mellow. (I knew I’d be ending up at the D.O.A. show later … Continue reading A night on the town in Vancouver circa 1985 starts with “Mick from Paradox” and ends with D.O.A.

That time Long John Baldry told me that Jeff Beck’s wife wouldn’t let him join Baldry’s band back in ’64

By Steve Newton Ever since hearing the sad and shocking news of Jeff Beck‘s death last Tuesday (January 10) I’ve been thinking of how huge a loss his passing was. By all accounts he was an incredibly fine person, above and beyond being the greatest rock guitarist who ever lived. I’ve been recalling some of … Continue reading That time Long John Baldry told me that Jeff Beck’s wife wouldn’t let him join Baldry’s band back in ’64

That time I asked Long John Baldry if he was the King in “Don’t Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll”

By Steve Newton Back in 1985 I did an interview with British blues legend Long John Baldry, who’d recently moved to Vancouver, where he would stay until his death 20 years later. In 1971 Baldry had released an album called It Ain’t Easy that was produced by his buddies, Rod Stewart and Elton John. It … Continue reading That time I asked Long John Baldry if he was the King in “Don’t Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll”

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

Loved me some Leon

By Steve Newton Just when it seems like 2016 couldn’t get much worse–what with the recent death of Leonard Cohen and the election of Donald Trump–here comes some more sad news. Music legend Leon Russell, best known for writing and/or recording songs like “Delta Lady”, “This Masquerade”, and “Tight Rope”–and for performing with virtually everybody–passed … Continue reading Loved me some Leon

Even the kids in Def Leppard can’t make Uriah Heep feel old

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 15, 1983 By Steve Newton Next Wednesday (July 20) at the Pacific Coliseum original Heepsters Mick Box and Lee Kerslake on guitar and drums will be joined by bassist Trevor Bolder, keyboardist John Sinclair, and singer Peter Goalby to give us Uriah Heep ’80s-style. Performing material from their … Continue reading Even the kids in Def Leppard can’t make Uriah Heep feel old

Elton John and his giant jellyfish conquer Vancouver

photos by the newt By Steve Newton Elton John doesn’t need no stinkin’ band. Heck, I remember seeing him at GM Place back in ’99 when it was just him and his piano, and he killed it. There was no elaborate staging or lights–not even a costume change–yet the magical combination of his music put … Continue reading Elton John and his giant jellyfish conquer Vancouver

Elton John not impressed by the Newt’s review of his Vancouver show

An outraged EJ scribbles “You don’t know shit, Newt” on my treasured copy of Yellow Brick Road You’d think that pop legend Elton John would be beyond caring what the critics think by now, right? Well, apparently he still reads the reviews. Even before they get in the paper. I wrote a pretty damn glowing online … Continue reading Elton John not impressed by the Newt’s review of his Vancouver show

Long John Baldry on Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, David Bowie–and Dale Martindale of Images in Vogue

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 13, 1985 By Steve Newton Long John Baldry is a giant among British blues-rockers–and that’s not only because he stands 6 feet 7-1/2 inches tall. In his 26-year career the singer has played with stars such as Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, and Elton John, among many others, and … Continue reading Long John Baldry on Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, David Bowie–and Dale Martindale of Images in Vogue

Chili Peppers bring heat to Vancouver with pogoing Flea after Dave Grohl gets his nipple pinched

@shotbykevin ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 1, 2000 By Steve Newton Nobody rocks like Flea. As soon as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hyperkinetic bassist stepped on the GM Place stage last Sunday (May 28), he started churning out monstrous hard-funk licks, and he didn’t slow down until the gig was over. And … Continue reading Chili Peppers bring heat to Vancouver with pogoing Flea after Dave Grohl gets his nipple pinched

Ann Wilson on making the Heart album: “Lookout! Three gals and a bottle of Dubonnet!”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 16, 1985 By Steve Newton It’s been ten years since Heart recorded their debut album Dreamboat Annie at Vancouver’s Mushroom Studios. At a time when Saturday Night Fever was running rampant that LP–with songs like “Magic Man” and “Crazy On You”–struck an important blow for guitar-driven rock and … Continue reading Ann Wilson on making the Heart album: “Lookout! Three gals and a bottle of Dubonnet!”