That time Derek Trucks told me that Duane Allman’s slide was one of the first sounds he ever heard

By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed Derek Trucks three times so far, including back in 1998 when he was 18 years old. Our second conversation happened 14 years later, when he was touring with his wife Susan and their 11-piece band, Tedeschi Trucks. Four months before that the group had been awarded the Grammy for Best … Continue reading That time Derek Trucks told me that Duane Allman’s slide was one of the first sounds he ever heard

Newt’s 30 best rock albums of the decade, 2010-2019

By Steve Newton 30. Soundgarden King Animal (2012) The classic Soundgarden lineup of singer Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd, and drummer Matt Cameron releases its first album in 16 years, and it sounds like it’s never been gone. The raging, three-minute “Attrition” might be the best damn rock tune of the year. 29. … Continue reading Newt’s 30 best rock albums of the decade, 2010-2019

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!

Drivin’ n’ Cryin’s Kevn Kinney took the “i” out of his name when he was a punk rocker

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 9, 1989 By Steve Newton Kevn Kinney is the lead vocalist, chief songwriter, and coguitarist for Atlanta, Georgia’s Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, but he’s as surprised as anyone that he’s even ended up in a band. As he explained to me from Oklahoma City last week, Kinney was the odd man out … Continue reading Drivin’ n’ Cryin’s Kevn Kinney took the “i” out of his name when he was a punk rocker

Gibson picked the top 50 guitar solos of all time, and boy did they ever blow it

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

Kim Simmonds ponders an early-’70s era Savoy Brown reunion with the guys from Foghat

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 21, 1998 By Steve Newton I know a little about seminal blues-rockers Savoy Brown. I know that they’ve been around since 1966, that founding guitarist Kim Simmonds is the only original member left, and that the boogie tune “Tell Mama” used to rock my world in the early ’70s. What’s news … Continue reading Kim Simmonds ponders an early-’70s era Savoy Brown reunion with the guys from Foghat

God bless Hughie Thomasson’s guitar solo on the Outlaws’ “Hurry Sundown”

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”

Holly Woods distances herself from Toronto but keeps the name alive (for now)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 10, 1984 By Steve Newton With four platinum-plus records to their credit, Toronto is easily one of the most popular bands in the history of Canadian rock. High-velocity LPs like Lookin’ For Trouble and Get It on Credit combined with outstanding live shows, won the group plenty of fans across the … Continue reading Holly Woods distances herself from Toronto but keeps the name alive (for now)

Great White packs ’em in like sardines in Vancouver

me ‘n Jack after the show ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 30, 1989 By Steve Newton They turned away several hundred rock-hungry fans at the doors but it was still Sardine City inside Club Soda when L.A.’s popular mainstream metallists, Great White, took the stage Monday night (June 26). People started lining up at one in … Continue reading Great White packs ’em in like sardines in Vancouver

That time Geddy Lee called me up and I asked if he had fond recollections of Rush’s early days

By Steve Newton Back in the spring of ’97 I did my first interview with Geddy Lee of Rush. He called me up from the band’s office in Toronto and I congratulated him on the birth of his new daughter. Then I mentioned that the band was re-releasing its seventies catalog, and asked him if … Continue reading That time Geddy Lee called me up and I asked if he had fond recollections of Rush’s early days

That time I called up 18-year-old Derek Trucks just before he headed out on tour with Joe Satriani

By Steve Newton I did my first interview with slide-guitar legend Derek Trucks in March of 1998, when he was still just 18 years old. I called him up at his home in Jacksonville, Florida, the day before he was due in Texas to kick off a tour with Joe Satriani. He mentioned the possibility … Continue reading That time I called up 18-year-old Derek Trucks just before he headed out on tour with Joe Satriani

That time “Mess” Messal of Flies on Fire told me that the Tragically Hip were the best band in the world

By Steve Newton Back in July of 1991 the Tragically Hip played five straight sold-out nights at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on its Road Apples Tour. The band was smokin’ hot–at least on the night that I saw them–but also impressive was the opening act, Flies on Fire, a little-known guitar-rock band from L.A. … Continue reading That time “Mess” Messal of Flies on Fire told me that the Tragically Hip were the best band in the world

Spandau Ballet shun rock ‘n’ roll, embrace soul to strike gold with new album True

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 18, 1983 By Steve Newton Spandau Ballet are an immensely popular British band whose third album True is currently at the number 8 position on the Georgia Straight Top 50. Last week, before their Tuesday performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, I called drummer John Keeble in London … Continue reading Spandau Ballet shun rock ‘n’ roll, embrace soul to strike gold with new album True