Vancouver jazz vocalist Laura Crema discovered her love of singing somewhere over the rainbow

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 20, 2021 By Steve Newton When Laura Crema was five years old, growing up in North Burnaby, she started taking tap-dancing lessons. As well as being a good workout for her nimble limbs, the music she’d dance to introduced her to some of the world’s great jazz and pop singers. But it wasn’t … Continue reading Vancouver jazz vocalist Laura Crema discovered her love of singing somewhere over the rainbow

Rainbow’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton Ritchie with Ronnie rules. 20. “Difficult to Cure” (Difficult to Cure, 1981) 19. “Still I’m Sad” (Rainbow, 1975) 18. “Rainbow Eyes” (Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1977) 17. “Snake Charmer” (Rainbow, 1975) 16. “Tarot Woman” (Rising, 1976) 15. “Sensitive to Light” (Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1977) 14. “Since You’ve Been Gone” … Continue reading Rainbow’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

That time Roger Glover called and told me that Rainbow was finished, it was time for Deep Purple (again)

By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Roger Glover back in August of 1984, two months after the release of his solo album Mask. He called me up from a “kitchen” in Vermont, and told me that he was recording an album there. At first I thought it might be another LP by … Continue reading That time Roger Glover called and told me that Rainbow was finished, it was time for Deep Purple (again)

Album review: Various Artists, Greenpeace (1985)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 1, 1985 By Steve Newton “By purchasing this album, you will be helping to ensure that Greenpeace can continue its campaign to protect the natural world.” That’s what it says on the back cover of the new Greenpeace benefit album, and that’s reason enough to dig into your pockets and help … Continue reading Album review: Various Artists, Greenpeace (1985)

Album review: Rainbow, Bent Out of Shape (1983)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 21, 1983 By Steve Newton While not as impressive as last year’s Straight Between the Eyes, Rainbow’s new album is still likely to please old Deep Purple diehards like myself, who can’t seem to get enough of Ritchie Blackmore’s furious and fast Stratocations. “The man in black” is … Continue reading Album review: Rainbow, Bent Out of Shape (1983)

Roger Glover plugs new solo album Mask, keeps mum about Deep Purple reunion

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 7, 1984 By Steve Newton After leaving his band of four years, Rainbow, Roger Glover is back again with the original lineup of seventies supergroup Deep Purple. Glover supplied the bottom end for Purple on such powerful tunes as “Smoke On the Water” and “Highway Star”, but often had to stand … Continue reading Roger Glover plugs new solo album Mask, keeps mum about Deep Purple reunion

Martin Birch’s finest moments with Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Blue Öyster Cult

By Steve Newton If you’re fan of hard rock and metal you’ve no doubt already heard that Martin Birch, the preeminent producer of loud rock, passed away recently at the age of 71. I’ve interviewed my fair share of hard-rock producers, including the formerly Vancouver-based triumvirate of Bruce Fairbairn, Bob Rock, and Mike Fraser, but … Continue reading Martin Birch’s finest moments with Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Blue Öyster Cult

Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, June 16 to 18

The Allmost Brothers play the Anza Club By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Canadian rock legends April Wine play the Commodore Ballroom. Note: original singer-songwriter-guitarist and founder Myles Goodwyn will not appear; he retired from touring last year. Still, who else wants to hear “Sign of the Gypsy Queen”? FRIDAY: Allman Brothers tribute band the Allmost Brothers, featuring guitarists Todd Taylor and Johannes Grammes, plays two … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, June 16 to 18

Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Dick Dale, Soundgarden, the Guess Who, the Replacements, Bad Company, Mahogany Rush, the Edgar Winter Group, and the Stray Cats

By Steve Newton As I mentioned yesterday, since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has just announced its seven inductees for the Class of 2023, my own little institution located in the wilds of British Columbia–Newt’s Rock Hall–is gonna counter with seven different inductees of its own. And of course mine will be better. … Continue reading Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Dick Dale, Soundgarden, the Guess Who, the Replacements, Bad Company, Mahogany Rush, the Edgar Winter Group, and the Stray Cats

Rolling Stone shockingly omits Phil Lynott from its Top 200 singers list. And Paul Rodgers too!

By Steve Newton I’ve just been watching the TV news, and apparently there’s quite an uproar among Celine Dion fans because she wasn’t included in Rolling Stone‘s new list of “The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Well, here’s another uproar for ya: why the hell isn’t Phil Lynott’s name on the list? You know, … Continue reading Rolling Stone shockingly omits Phil Lynott from its Top 200 singers list. And Paul Rodgers too!

Rock Hall finally inducts Link Wray, can Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher be far behind?

By Steve Newton After ten years of my complaining about Link Wray not being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the boneheads who run the high-falutin’ joint in Cleveland finally caved and decided to induct him, in the “musical influence” division. It’s about freakin’ time. Wray, who pretty well invented the raunchy guitar … Continue reading Rock Hall finally inducts Link Wray, can Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher be far behind?

That time Tony Carey told me that he thought “The First Day of Summer” was going to break his new album wide open

By Steve Newton Way back in May of 1984 I interviewed Tony Carey, who I’d been a fan of since I heard him playing keyboards on Rainbow’s colossal Rising album of 1976. At the time of our chat he was promoting his new solo album Some Tough City, which was doing well on the charts … Continue reading That time Tony Carey told me that he thought “The First Day of Summer” was going to break his new album wide open

One down, two to go: Newt’s Rock Hall will shutter once Johnny and Rory get inducted into the RRHOF

photo by the newt By Steve Newton It’s good to have hobbies. Several years ago I found a new hobby in which I’d spend a fair amount of time lobbying for the inclusion of Link Wray, Johnny Winter, and Rory Gallagher in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I was astonished and, frankly, disgusted … Continue reading One down, two to go: Newt’s Rock Hall will shutter once Johnny and Rory get inducted into the RRHOF