Blues-rocker David Gogo tweets photo of himself with Canadian comedy legend Blair MacLean

By Steve Newton I love following Nanaimo blues-rocker David “King of Boogie” Gogo on Twitter. About an hour or so ago Gogo tweeted a photo of himself playing acoustic guitar while bearded Blair MacLean–one-half of the legendary Canadian musical-comedy duo MacLean and MacLean–looks on. “Throwback Thursday!!”, wrote Gogo in the tweet. “Hotel room hang with … Continue reading Blues-rocker David Gogo tweets photo of himself with Canadian comedy legend Blair MacLean

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

Guitar wizard David Gogo on his new debut LP and the undeniable influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 14, 1994 By Steve Newton If there’s a rock ’n’ roll heaven, you know they’ve got a helluva band…and I like to think that there are at least three guitarists in the lineup: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Randy Rhoads. And when I picture Vaughan, I see him doing his … Continue reading Guitar wizard David Gogo on his new debut LP and the undeniable influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan

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

Saskatoon rocker Glen Stace got a boost from k.d. lang’s manager to book his Buddha Hotel

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 29, 1991 By Steve Newton What makes a young Canadian prairie kid want to rock? Well, in Glen Stace’s case, being the son of a country preacher helped. “I guess it was part of my rebellious phase,” says the 29-year-old Saskatoon native. “I had an older sister who … Continue reading Saskatoon rocker Glen Stace got a boost from k.d. lang’s manager to book his Buddha Hotel

Hoping the best for Buddy Guy and revisiting my latest interview with the blues legend

By Steve Newton I saw a tweet from my blues-rockin’ buddy David Gogo a couple days ago, in which he sent “love and healing vibes” to Buddy Guy as the 87-year-old blues legend deals with the health issues that have postponed his farewell tour. That got me thinking about how much I’ve appreciated Buddy myself, … Continue reading Hoping the best for Buddy Guy and revisiting my latest interview with the blues legend

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

Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 21 to 23

Devin Townsend plays Thunderbird Arena By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Dreamsonic 2023, a prog-metal extravaganza featuring Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, and Animals as Leaders., takes place at Thunderbird Arena. Caution: it might be loud. FRIDAY: American comedian and actor Brad Williams performs two shows of standup at the Rio Theatre. Early show SOLD OUT. FRIDAY: the Vancouver Whitecaps take on … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 21 to 23

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, August 14-18

Steve Vai plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton TUESDAY: American instrumental-rock guitar virtuoso Steve Vai performs at the Rickshaw Theatre on his Inviolate Tour 2023. Hope he does “For the Love of God”. TUESDAY: Black Women in Indie & Folk at the Fox Cabaret features performances by Silent St J, Raheal, Ayanna Seymour, and Chaya … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, August 14-18

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

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