By Steve Newton Over the past 40 years or so I've seen hella concerts in the Vancouver area, either at clubs, soft-seat theatres, arenas, or stadiums. But I've also enjoyed the odd memorable gig outside Metro Vancouver. Back in the mid-'80s I was fortunate enough to see both Midnight Oil and Angel City play club … Continue reading That time I told Jeff Beck that the first time I ever saw him was with Aerosmith on the Rocks Tour in ’76
Category: guitar heroes
That time Long John Baldry told me that Jeff Beck’s wife wouldn’t let him join Baldry’s band back in ’64
By Steve Newton Ever since hearing the sad and shocking news of Jeff Beck's death last Tuesday (January 10) I've been thinking of how huge a loss his passing was. By all accounts he was an incredibly fine person, above and beyond being the greatest rock guitarist who ever lived. I've been recalling some of … Continue reading That time Long John Baldry told me that Jeff Beck’s wife wouldn’t let him join Baldry’s band back in ’64
Jeff Beck, the world’s greatest rock guitarist, dead at 78
kevin statham photo By Steve Newton I can barely believe the shocking and terrible news. I just heard that Jeff Beck died yesterday after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis. That is surely one of the most profound losses the music world has ever suffered. Jeff Beck's guitar playing spoke to me more than any other player. … Continue reading Jeff Beck, the world’s greatest rock guitarist, dead at 78
Famed guitar writer Jas Obrecht releases never-before-heard interview with Eddie Van Halen
Jas n' Eddie By Steve Newton If you were a dedicated guitar freak in the late-'70s and through to the '90s, there's a good chance you picked up a copy of Guitar Player magazine with a cover story written by Jas Obrecht. I still remember picking up a copy that featured an awe-inspiring new guitarist … Continue reading Famed guitar writer Jas Obrecht releases never-before-heard interview with Eddie Van Halen
New York guitar ace Stephen Ulrich likes working with a gun to his head
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 22, 2022 By Steve Newton Doing research for an interview with guitarist Stephen Ulrich can be a fun thing--especially if you're a Beatles fan. Searching around on YouTube, it doesn't take long to discover a version of the John Lennon-penned "Girl", off the 1965 Rubber Soul album. The tune, performed by … Continue reading New York guitar ace Stephen Ulrich likes working with a gun to his head
That time Buddy Guy told me how thrilled he was to finally record with B.B. King
By Steve Newton I did the second of my five interviews with Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy back in March of 1993. At the time Buddy was promoting his new album Feels Like Rain, so I called him up at a tour stop in Buffalo, New York. After clarifying that we were both definitely doin' … Continue reading That time Buddy Guy told me how thrilled he was to finally record with B.B. King
That time I asked B.B. King why he chose guitar as his instrument
bev davies photo By Steve Newton Way back in January of 1984 I did my first interview with B.B. King. He was playing a string of shows at the Plazazz! Showroom in North Vancouver, so I drove my '66 Dodge Polara on over the Lions Gate Bridge to visit the blues great in his room … Continue reading That time I asked B.B. King why he chose guitar as his instrument
That time I asked Albert Collins which blues artists he liked listening to, and he mentioned three biggies
By Steve Newton Way back in September of 1985 I did my one and only interview with blues legend Albert Collins, the "Master of the Telecaster". He was getting ready for a tour that would bring him to Vancouver for two nights at a Gastown nightclub called the Town Pump. At one point in the … Continue reading That time I asked Albert Collins which blues artists he liked listening to, and he mentioned three biggies
That time I asked Steve Vai if he had any desire, like his buddy Satch, to try his hand at vocals
By Steve Newton I did my first interview with American guitar legend Steve Vai on May 31, 1990, eleven days after the release of his second album, Passion & Warfare--you know, the one with "For the Love of God". Seven months earlier Vai's former guitar teacher, Joe Satriani, had released his third album, Flying in … Continue reading That time I asked Steve Vai if he had any desire, like his buddy Satch, to try his hand at vocals
That time I called Allan Holdsworth up to talk guitar and he just wanted to chat about beer
By Steve Newton Back in November of 1983 I did my first interview with British guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, when he was touring with his band I.O.U. His latest album at the time was the six-song EP Road Games, and one point in the conversation I asked him about the "special thanks" on the back … Continue reading That time I called Allan Holdsworth up to talk guitar and he just wanted to chat about beer
Vancouver shredder Dave Martone gets emotional thinking about his hero Eddie Van Halen
edgar barseghyan photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 18, 2020 By Steve Newton When the global pandemic hit last March, Vancouver guitarist Dave Martone was doing pretty well financially. He wasn't living in a mansion like the guy from Nickelback, mind you, but he was busy as hell, playing an average of 35 gigs a month, … Continue reading Vancouver shredder Dave Martone gets emotional thinking about his hero Eddie Van Halen
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I thank my lucky stars that I got to interview Stevie Ray. Twice! 20. "Wham" (The Sky is Crying, 1991) 19. "Cold Shot" (Couldn't Stand the Weather, 1984) 18. "Hide Away" (Couldn't Stand the Weather 1999 reissue bonus track) 17. "Testify" (Texas Flood, 1983) 16. "Come On [Part III] (Soul to Soul, … Continue reading Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time I asked Allan Holdsworth what he’d like the future to hold for him
By Steve Newton Back in November of 1983 I did the first of my two interviews with pioneering British guitarist Allan Holdsworth. At the time he was based in L.A., and about to bring his band, I.O.U., up to Vancouver for two shows at a small venue called the Soft Rock Cafe. As the interview … Continue reading That time I asked Allan Holdsworth what he’d like the future to hold for him