Search Results for: John Mayall

That time blues legend John Mayall told me why he handles his own gear and never uses roadies

By Steve Newton I did the second of my three interviews with British blues great John Mayall back in May of 1990, when he was heading to Vancouver for a show with his band the Bluesbreakers. He was touring to promote his latest album, A Sense of Place, which featured slide-guitar ace Sonny Landreth on … Continue reading That time blues legend John Mayall told me why he handles his own gear and never uses roadies

Can-Am blues-rock summit sees David Gogo trading fierce licks with Walter Trout in Vancouver

By Steve Newton Two of the top talents in Canadian and American blues-rock collided in a fine way at the York Theatre in Vancouver last Friday (March 10). That’s when the New Jersey-born bluesman Walter Trout–formerly of Canned Heat and John Mayall‘s Bluesbreakers–invited Nanaimo’s David Gogo up to jam. Gogo had opened the show with … Continue reading Can-Am blues-rock summit sees David Gogo trading fierce licks with Walter Trout in Vancouver

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, March 6 to 10

Walter Trout plays the York Theatre By Steve Newton WEDNESDAY: the Modern Day Warriors play the entirety of Rush‘s classic album Permanent Waves front to back, along with many other favorite Rush songs, at the Fox Cabaret. WEDNESDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the once-mighty Anaheim Ducks in National Hockey League action at Rogers Arena. … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, March 6 to 10

Newt’s top 10 (or 11) Metro Vancouver concerts in March

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit plays the Queen E By Steve Newton White Denim: Austin, Texas indie-rock band, with guests Cascading Moms. March 4 at the Rickshaw Theatre. Sloan: guitar-rock quartet from Halifax, Nova Scotia. March 4 at the Commodore Ballroom. SOLD OUT. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: Americana singer, songwriter, and guitarist, … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 11) Metro Vancouver concerts in March

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 10 to 12

Hump! Fest is at the Rio By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Sister Jazz Orchestra, an 18-woman jazz ensemble showcasing Vancouver’s top female jazz artists, performs at the BlueShore at CapU in celebration of International Women’s Day. Program features trombonist Audrey Ochoa and opening act NiteCap. FRIDAY: Journeyman Productions presents Speak No Evil, a night of instrumental … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 10 to 12

That time John Mayall told me that his Bluesbreakers of 1988 were the best band he ever had

By Steve Newton The first time I interviewed blues legend John Mayall was in December of 1988, shortly after he’d released his Chicago Line album, which featured smokin’ guitarists Walter Trout and Carlos Montoya. Mayall has always surrounded himself with the finest pickers–including guys like Mick Taylor, Eric Clapton, and Peter Green–so at one point … Continue reading That time John Mayall told me that his Bluesbreakers of 1988 were the best band he ever had

Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page, but Mick Fleetwood says “he was the guy”

Steve Newton Sad news for music fans today. Peter Green, the British guitarist who made a name for himself with his stunning work in the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac, has passed away at the age of 73. Long before the pop-minded duo of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham put their radio-friendly stamp on Fleetwood Mac, … Continue reading Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page, but Mick Fleetwood says “he was the guy”

36 years later I finally got turned on to the rockin’ glory of Warren Zevon’s “Even a Dog Can Shake Hands”

By Steve Newton I’m a little show on the uptake sometimes. For example, just yesterday I was typing up my old interview from 1987 with Rick Richards of the Georgia Satellites, giving the article new life on the internet after being trapped on yellowing newspaper and stashed in a banker’s box for decades. In the … Continue reading 36 years later I finally got turned on to the rockin’ glory of Warren Zevon’s “Even a Dog Can Shake Hands”

That time John Cougar told me that the high he gets from writing good songs is better than sex–and heroin

By Steve Newton I interviewed John Mellencamp for the first time back in May of 1983, when he was still called John Cougar. He was touring behind his latest album, American Fool, but for some reason the Vancouver show got cancelled and the interview I did with him in advance never ran. At one point … Continue reading That time John Cougar told me that the high he gets from writing good songs is better than sex–and heroin

That time I asked Sonny Landreth what first got him into slide guitar

By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed Louisiana slide-guitar master Sonny Landreth four times between 1995 and 2016. This is the first time, when I called him up in Sacramento, California, where he was touring as the opening act for Chicago blues great Buddy Guy. Landreth was promoting his fourth studio album, South of I-10, which features a photo on … Continue reading That time I asked Sonny Landreth what first got him into slide guitar

That time Sonny Landreth told me about Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins taking him to breakfast at a Cracker Barrel in Nashville

By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed Louisiana slide-guitar master Sonny Landreth four times, because he’s just awesome. This is the first time, when I called him up in Sacramento, California, where he was touring as the opening act for Chicago blues great Buddy Guy. Landreth was promoting his fourth studio album, South of I-10, which featured … Continue reading That time Sonny Landreth told me about Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins taking him to breakfast at a Cracker Barrel in Nashville

That time I asked Gary Louris of the Jayhawks how their tour was goin’ opening for Tom Petty

By Steve Newton I interviewed Jayhawks singer-guitarist and co-songwriter Gary Louris back in April of 1995, when his band was promoting its fourth studio album, Tomorrow the Green Grass. At the time the group was opening for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on the Dogs With Wings Tour, so of course I had to ask … Continue reading That time I asked Gary Louris of the Jayhawks how their tour was goin’ opening for Tom Petty

10 minutes on the phone with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry in 1988

By Steve Newton Aerosmith released their first five albums while I was teenager, so I freakin’ loved Aerosmith. I played a lotta air guitar to Joe Perry‘s licks back in the day, so it was a kick to interview him for the first time in January of 1988, after the Permanent Vacation LP came out. … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry in 1988