ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 22, 2010 By Steve Newton I heard a rumour a while back that the Faces might be getting back together. I remember seeing them at Pacific Coliseum in the ’70s—with Foghat opening up!—and they were a raggedy-ass rock ’n’ roll machine. Ronnie Wood was blasting out that wonderful … Continue reading Album review: Rod Stewart, Soulbook (2009)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 16, 2009 By Steve Newton Back in 2006, power-pop stalwart Matthew Sweet and sometimes-Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs collaborated on Under the Covers Vol. 1, in which they performed versions of ’60s hits by groups like the Beatles, the Who, and the Beach Boys. On Under the Covers Vol. 2 the … Continue reading Album review: Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs, Under the Covers Vol. 2 (2009)
Chilliwack performs at Rock Maple Ridge on Friday By Steve Newton MONDAY: California hard-rock/metal band Avenged Sevenfold plays Rogers Arena, with guests Alexisonfire and Kim Dracula. MONDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of director Kathryn Bigelow’s hugely entertaining 1987 vampire flick Near Dark. “Shitkicker heaven!” MONDAY & WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: the Fashion Fictions exhibition, running until October 9 at the Vancouver … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, August 7 to 11
By Steve Newton British guitar hero Bernie Marsden turned 72 today, so I figured now was as good a time as any to ask God to bless his solo on Whitesnake’s “Fool For Your Lovin’”. In previous blogs I’ve asked God to bless exquisite guitar solos by Scott Gorham on Thin Lizzy’s “Romeo and the Lonely Girl”, Donald … Continue reading God bless Bernie Marsden’s guitar solo on Whitesnake’s “Fool For Your Lovin’”
Steve Vai plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton AVENGED SEVENFOLD: hard-rock/metal band from Huntingdon Beach, California, with guests Alexisonfire and Kim Dracula. August 7 at Rogers Arena. ROCK MAPLE RIDGE: three-day classic-rock festival features headlining performances by Tom Cochrane, Kim Mitchell, and Trooper. August 11 to 13 at Albion Fairgrounds. Canuck rock rules. Jeff Goldblum … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 11) Metro Vancouver concerts in August
By Steve Newton I really appreciate rock music, and I’m very thankful to the musicians whose talent has given me such joy over the years. Sometimes, when I hear something that really turns my crank–like a particularly awesome guitar solo–I even ask God to bless it. In previous blogs I’ve asked Him to bless exquisite … Continue reading God bless Ian Paice’s drumming on Deep Purple’s “Burn”
Me ‘n Tom Cochrane, who plays Rock Maple Ridge By Steve Newton FRIDAY: B.C. rockers Chilliwack perform with Trooper and Harlequin at day one of the Rock Maple Ridge classic-rock festival at Albion Fairgrounds. “Fly at Night” baby! FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Fashion Fictions exhibition, running until October 9 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, explores … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, August 11 to 13
By Steve Newton Way the funk back in June of 1990 I interviewed singer-songwriter and kick-ass guitarist Stevie Salas, who at the time was promoting his Stevie Salas Colorcode album, which I liked enough to put on my Top 10 list that year. “Hendrix meets Funkadelic in the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ practice space,” was … Continue reading That time 26-year-old Stevie Salas told me about opening for Joe Satriani on the Blue Dream tour
kevin statham photo, 1993 By Steve Newton Just heard the terrible breaking news: that legendary vocalist Tina Turner has passed away, after a long illness, at the age of 83. An announcement of her death has been posted on her Facebook page: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner,” … Continue reading R.I.P. Tina Turner: seeing the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll three times wasn’t nearly enough
By Steve Newton I really, really enjoy guitar solos sometimes. When a geetar player hits just the right notes with just the right feel, it’s almost like a religious experience for me. That’s why I’ve asked God to bless exquisite guitar solos by Scott Gorham on Thin Lizzy’s “Romeo and the Lonely Girl”, Donald “Buck … Continue reading God bless Hughie Thomasson’s guitar solo on the Outlaws’ “Hurry Sundown”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 27, 1984 By Steve Newton Back in the summer of 1968 you could hardly turn on the radio without hearing the surging power chords and menacing vocals of “Born to Be Wild”, a song that became an anthem for the carefree life and a harbinger of seventies hard-rock. But in 1972, … Continue reading John Kay says he couldn’t hope to leave a Steppenwolf concert alive without playing “Born to Be Wild”
Geez, even Jimi knew Johnny ruled. By Steve Newton Back in September of 2010 Gibson.com posted what it felt were the 50 greatest guitar solos of all time, and boy did they ever blow it. Most conspicuous by his absence is Texas blues-rock legend Johnny Winter. I for one am getting sick and tired of … Continue reading Gibson picked the top 50 guitar solos of all time, and boy did they ever blow it
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
