By Steve Newton I guess Sticky Fingers might be the best Stones album. 20. “Little T&A” (Tattoo You, 1981) 19. “Bitch” (Sticky Fingers, 1971) 18. “Time Waits for No One” (It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, 1974) 17. “When the Whip Comes Down” (Some Girls, 1978) 16. “Wild Horses” (Sticky Fingers, 1969) 15. “Under My Thumb” … Continue reading The Rolling Stones’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Gord Downie in July of 1995 the Tragically Hip was flying high. Since I’d talked to him six months earlier, the band had won group of the year at the Junos, performed on Saturday Night Live, toured widely with Page & Plant, and opened for the Rolling Stones. Not … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me about the Tragically Hip touring with Page & Plant and opening for the Rolling Stones
me ‘n Roy backstage at the Pump, February 10, 1986 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 7, 1986 By Steve Newton Not many guitarists can say they were invited to join the Rolling Stones. Not many can say they turned the offer down either. But Roy Buchanan–quite possibly the best white blues guitarist in … Continue reading Roy Buchanan on turning down the Rolling Stones, loving Van Halen, and being flattered by Jeff Beck
By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones snubbed Vancouver when it came time to book their current Zip Code Tour, which could very well be the group’s last major trek outside the nursing home. But hardcore fans who’ve been bawling about that omission for months now can take some comfort in the fact that the money … Continue reading Rolling Stones super-deluxe box set falls short without Keith Richards mini cut-out
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 10, 1989 By Steve Newton In what was surely the biggest Vancouver concert event of the ’80s, the Rolling Stones hit Vancouver for two nights last week amid a flurry of hype and much groveling for tickets. Now that Jagger and the boys have gathered up their money-bags … Continue reading The Rolling Stones play Vancouver on the Steel Wheels Tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 5, 1998 I’ve seen my fair share of B.C. Place rock concerts over the years, but none that have left me as perplexed as last Wednesday’s (January 28) Stones show. It started out shockingly lame before transforming into something wild and wonderful, and I would have sworn that … Continue reading The Rolling Stones go from bogus to brilliant in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 6, 1995 By Steve Newton In 1995, it’s as if the Tragically Hip can do no wrong. Late last February, the Ontario guitar-rockers played a Pacific Coliseum gig that sold out in 20 minutes flat. Not long after that, you could have flicked on Saturday Night Live and … Continue reading Gordon Downie says opening for the Rolling Stones is like being a golf caddy
@shotbykevin By Steve Newton ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 22, 1994 There was one nagging question on my mind after the Rolling Stones’ show last Saturday (December 17) at B.C. Place, and it kept elbowing for space in there with about a thousand Chuck Berry guitar riffs. I couldn’t stop wondering just how … Continue reading The Rolling Stones wow Vancouver on the Voodoo Lounge Tour, Spin Doctors not so much
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 11, 2011 By Steve Newton A lot of diehard Rolling Stones fans feel strongly that the band’s 1972 double album, Exile on Main St., is its finest recording ever. I’m more of a Some Girls guy myself, which is why I’m psyched that Eagle Rock Entertainment will be releasing Some Girls Live in Texas … Continue reading Rolling Stones to release Some Girls Live in Texas 1978 on DVD and Blu-Ray
By Steve Newton Just hours after the Rolling Stones finished the first of two shows at Hyde Park last July YouTube started getting flooded with fan-shot videos that showed Keith Richards seriously fucking up the opening chords to the big show’s first song, “Start Me Up”. It was not a pretty sound. Ironically, in a … Continue reading Rolling Stones Blu-ray sounds killer with Keef’s botched chords fixed up
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 29, 2006 A lot has been made of the astronomical ticket prices the Rolling Stones charged on their recent stop in Vancouver, but considering today’s out-of-control construction costs (see 2010 Olympics), there’s some merit to their exorbitance. It looked as if the Stones’ 300-person production crew had built a five-storey … Continue reading Rolling Stones give good bang for big-buck tickets
By Steve Newton On January 26, 1986, I did my first interview with guitar legend Roy Buchanan. He was coming to Vancouver for a show at the Town Pump, so I called him up at his hotel in Salt Lake City and got the scoop. In this particular excerpt we talked about him being asked … Continue reading Roy Buchanan on being asked to join the Stones, his fave guitarists, and Jeff Beck’s dedication to him
Bobby Keys passed away this morning at the age of 70 after battling cirrhosis. He was best known as the saxophonist for the Rolling Stones, having blasted out that unforgettable solo on “Brown Sugar”. He also blew like crazy on such Stones gems as “Happy” (from Exile on Main Street) and “Live With Me” (from Let It … Continue reading Sax great Bobby Keys was much more than a sideman for the Stones
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 2, 1997 The Granville Mall proved a pretty functional location for the stag party I took part in a few months back. After getting the obligatory eyeful at the Cecil strip bar, the toga-clad hubby-to-be was paraded down to the Commodore Lanes, where, amazingly, yours truly decimated all … Continue reading Headstones frontman Hugh Dillon says he’s not as dumb as he can be
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 31, 2012 By Steve Newton Eagle Rock Entertainment recently released the DVD Muddy Waters/The Rolling Stones/Checkerboard Lounge/Live Chicago 1981, and, man, is it a sweet treat for fans of electric blues. The coolest part of the concert comes when the Stones arrive while Muddy’s a minute-and-a-half into “Baby Please Don’t Go” … Continue reading The Stones & Muddy Waters make blues magic on Chicago’s south side
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
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 16, 1998 By Steve Newton Some things are best done quickly, like a shooter of tequila or a U-turn in front of the cop shop. Or a Rusty album, for that matter. While the Toronto guitar-rockers’ previous CD, Sophomoric, took six weeks to complete, their new one, Out … Continue reading Rusty’s Scott McCullough likes that ragged, off-the-floor feeling
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 3, 1989 By Steve Newton Having Bruce Allen’s office all to yourself is quite the experience. While waiting to interview Loverboy guitarist turned solo artist Paul Dean I’m momentarily left to scour the big-time rock manager’s hallowed chamber, where no doubt many a make-or-break deal has gone down. … Continue reading Paul Dean takes a break from Loverboy to go Hard Core with Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod
