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?

Atlanta’s Forty Fives employ Lennon-style screams and guitars to Get It Together

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 15, 2000 By Steve Newton Atlanta’s Forty Fives were hugely influenced by the British Invasion of the early ’60s, so it’s no big shock that singer-guitarist Bryan Malone winds up sounding a lot like “Twist and Shout”–era John Lennon on a couple of tunes from the band’s debut … Continue reading Atlanta’s Forty Fives employ Lennon-style screams and guitars to Get It Together

Oh my f***ing god! Rock Hall snubs Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray yet again!

By Steve Newton Well, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has done it again. A few days ago the Cleveland-based institution nominated 17 bands and artists to its class of 2022, but once more just plumb forgot the three artists most deserving of immediate induction: Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray. Instead they … Continue reading Oh my f***ing god! Rock Hall snubs Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray yet again!

Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre says it’s “outrageous” that Johnny Winter isn’t in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

go Johnny, go! By Steve Newton A couple months ago I interviewed legendary rock guitarist Martin Barre, best known for his work on all of Jethro Tull‘s top albums and hits. At one point in the conversation we got to talking about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which has famously refused to induct … Continue reading Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre says it’s “outrageous” that Johnny Winter isn’t in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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

Halfwits at Rock Hall again ignore Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray, instead nominate the Go-Go’s and Dionne Warwick

By Steve Newton You may have heard that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently announced the nominees for its class of 2021. And man does the list suck in spots. The Go-Go’s? Dionne Warwick? That’s what passes for rock and roll these days? Here’s the full list of 15 nominees: Mary J. Blige, Kate … Continue reading Halfwits at Rock Hall again ignore Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray, instead nominate the Go-Go’s and Dionne Warwick

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

Album review: The Who, Endless Wire (2006)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 23, 2006 By Steve Newton After witnessing the Who’s thrilling performance at GM Place last month, I had high hopes for its first studio CD in 24 years. Turns out I was misled by that exhilarating concert, though. Endless Wire may kick off with an electro-babble-synth intro similar to … Continue reading Album review: The Who, Endless Wire (2006)

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally pulls its heads out of its ass long enough to nominate Warren Zevon

By Steve Newton If you’ve been visiting this blog much in the past few years you may have noticed how often I go out of my way to call out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Heck, I even created a special section just for slagging it. The three artists whose continuing absence from … Continue reading The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally pulls its heads out of its ass long enough to nominate Warren Zevon

10 memorable concerts at 10 lost but unforgotten Vancouver venues

By Steve Newton As a freelance music writer in Vancouver since 1982, I’ve seen a lotta concerts. Most of the arena shows I reviewed took place at the Pacific Coliseum, until the Vancouver Canucks found a new home downtown in 1995 at GM Place, which was renamed Rogers Arena in 2010. But I wasn’t just … Continue reading 10 memorable concerts at 10 lost but unforgotten Vancouver venues

Braindead twats at the Rock Hall nominate Whitney Houston, spurn Rory, Link, and Johnny

By Steve Newton I’ve been lobbying for years to get the three most deserving rockers I can think of–Rory Gallagher, Link Wray, and Johnny Winter–inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I keep hoping that one day Jann Wenner and his braindead RRHOF cohorts will pull their heads out of their asses long … Continue reading Braindead twats at the Rock Hall nominate Whitney Houston, spurn Rory, Link, and Johnny

Steve Miller recalls his “unpleasant” experience with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

By Steve Newton After he was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame in 2016, Steve Miller famously ranted against the Rock Hall, citing its lack of female inclusion (no women were inducted that year) and what Miller claimed was a disrespect for the artists the institution was meant to honour. When the 78-year-old … Continue reading Steve Miller recalls his “unpleasant” experience with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

36 years later I finally got turned on to the rockin’ glory of Warren Zevon’s “Even a Dog Can Shake Hands”

By Steve Newton I’m a little show on the uptake sometimes. For example, just yesterday I was typing up my old interview from 1987 with Rick Richards of the Georgia Satellites, giving the article new life on the internet after being trapped on yellowing newspaper and stashed in a banker’s box for decades. In the … Continue reading 36 years later I finally got turned on to the rockin’ glory of Warren Zevon’s “Even a Dog Can Shake Hands”