Joe Satriani tackles the “impossible to play” intro to Van Halen’s “Mean Street” before rocking out on “5150”

By Steve Newton Yesterday I mentioned here that Sammy Hagar had just announced his Best of All Worlds Tour, wherein he’ll hook up with guitarist Joe Satriani, bassist Michael Anthony, and drummer Jason Bonham for a six-week tour next summer. Today that lineup appeared on the Howard Stern Show, where Satch attempted to perform Eddie … Continue reading Joe Satriani tackles the “impossible to play” intro to Van Halen’s “Mean Street” before rocking out on “5150”

That time Kim Mitchell described guitar wanking by comparing Joe Satriani to Eddie Van Halen

By Steve Newton I did my fourth interview with Canadian rock-guitar great Kim Mitchell back in July of 1992, when he was touring behind his Aural Fixations album. He’d hired a new batch of musicians to accompany him–because Tom Cochrane had lured some of his regular band members away–and while he was describing how the … Continue reading That time Kim Mitchell described guitar wanking by comparing Joe Satriani to Eddie Van Halen

Joe Satriani will channel Eddie Van Halen (and maybe Ronnie Montrose) on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds Tour

By Steve Newton Van Halen freaks looking to relive the legendary band’s days with Sammy Hagar at the mike are in for a treat. Hagar announced today that he will be going on the road next summer with a band that includes guitar hero Joe Satriani, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, and drummer Jason … Continue reading Joe Satriani will channel Eddie Van Halen (and maybe Ronnie Montrose) on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds Tour

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

Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan celebrates 40 years at the mike with the star-studded Gillan’s Inn

By Steve Newton Deep Purple was one of my favourite bands in the seventies, so it was a real kick to finally interview Ian Gillan in 2006, when he called me up from a tour stop in Buffalo, en route to a gig in Vancouver. He was promoting his star-studded Gillan’s Inn album, a celebration … Continue reading Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan celebrates 40 years at the mike with the star-studded Gillan’s Inn

Album review: Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot (2009)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 11, 2009 By Steve Newton It’s a shame that so-called “supergroup” Chickenfoot—composed of guitar wizard Joe Satriani, drumming ace Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a couple of guys who won’t be featured on the upcoming version of Guitar Hero: Van Halen (singer Sammy Hagar … Continue reading Album review: Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot (2009)

Guitar wizard Dave Martone calls his mentor Joe Satriani a member of “the Good Guy Club”

By Steve Newton I interviewed Dave Martone last week for a story in the Georgia Straight‘s annual Best of Vancouver issue, because when I think about who might be the best guitarist in Vancouver, he always comes to mind. At one point in the conversation I asked Martone about his relationship with Joe Satriani, because … Continue reading Guitar wizard Dave Martone calls his mentor Joe Satriani a member of “the Good Guy Club”

That time Joe Satriani told me that he wanted Flying in a Blue Dream to be something heavy and deep

By Steve Newton When I did my first interview with Joe Satriani in January of 1990 his Flying in a Blue Dream album had been out for only two months, and word had gotten around about what an ambitious project it was, clocking in at nearly 65 minutes. (His previous full-length disc, Surfing With the … Continue reading That time Joe Satriani told me that he wanted Flying in a Blue Dream to be something heavy and deep

That time Joe Satriani told me how an unsolicited Mastercard application got Not of This Earth off the ground

By Steve Newton You know how you’re always getting those unsolicited credit-card applications in the mail? The ones that say “Dear [insert your name here]. You’ve been approved for a shitload of money, so just sign up here.” Well, Joe Satriani got one of those once, and it turned out to be exactly what he … Continue reading That time Joe Satriani told me how an unsolicited Mastercard application got Not of This Earth off the ground

That time I asked Ian Gillan if he ever wished Joe Satriani had become a permanent member of Deep Purple

By Steve Newton As most dedicated Deep Purple fans know, Joe Satriani was once a member of that legendary band. The Bay Area guitar wizard joined in December of 1993 after the volatile Ritchie Blackmore quit and left the group high-and-dry in the middle of a tour. Satch only stayed in the lineup for a … Continue reading That time I asked Ian Gillan if he ever wished Joe Satriani had become a permanent member of Deep Purple

That time Joe Satriani told me why Neil Young was such a great guitarist

By Steve Newton Back in 1990 I did the first of my eight interviews with American guitar wizard Joe Satriani. At the time Satch was touring behind his Flying in a Blue Dream album, which is one fine batch of tunes. At one point in the conversation I asked him about a quote in Kerrang! … Continue reading That time Joe Satriani told me why Neil Young was such a great guitarist

Album review: Gary Hoey, Music from the Motion Picture The Endless Summer II (1994)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 19, 1994 By Steve Newton Rock-guitar maniacs are gonna love this one. Fretboard wizardry abounds in the score to director Bruce Brown’s latest surfing documentary, as up-and-coming axe master Hoey tears up the beach on 14 surefooted instrumentals. With the exception of Dick Dale‘s “Shake & Stomp (Part … Continue reading Album review: Gary Hoey, Music from the Motion Picture The Endless Summer II (1994)

That time Joe Satriani told me that he strove for a live sound worthy of Yes, Pink Floyd, and the Grateful Dead

By Steve Newton I did the first of my eight interviews with Joe Satriani back in January of 1990, when he was touring behind his awesome Flying in a Blue Dream album. As the conversation wound down I asked him if it was tricky controlling the acoustics at some venues, playing at the volume that … Continue reading That time Joe Satriani told me that he strove for a live sound worthy of Yes, Pink Floyd, and the Grateful Dead