By Steve Newton I watched the 2016 Johnny Winter documentary, Down & Dirty, on Amazon Prime the other night. I quite enjoyed it; thought it was a fine representation of the albino blues master's remarkable career, especially his twilight years. It was a joy to see Winter undertake his final tour, playing the best he … Continue reading Johnny Winter documentary underscores the ineptitude of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Category: guitar heroes
That time Eric Carr told me that new Kiss guitarist Mark St. John was “absolutely astounding”
By Steve Newton I interviewed Kiss drummer Eric Carr in August of 1984, shortly before the band released its Animalize LP. You may recall that album for the hit single "Heaven's on Fire". Anyway, at one point in the conversation I asked Carr about the band's new guitarist, Mark St. John. If you don't know the … Continue reading That time Eric Carr told me that new Kiss guitarist Mark St. John was “absolutely astounding”
That time I asked Randy Hansen what he thought was so great about Hendrix when he first heard him
By Steve Newton Few guitar players have proven as influential as Jimi Hendrix. As the years go passing by, the rock legend's influence just keeps growing and growing. Back in 2001 I interviewed Randy Hansen, the world's best-known Hendrix tribute artist, and at one point I asked him what he thought was so great about … Continue reading That time I asked Randy Hansen what he thought was so great about Hendrix when he first heard him
That time the Cult’s Billy Duffy told me that Thin Lizzy was his number-one “teenie band”, and that it all boils down to the Les Paul
By Steve Newton Way back on April 7 of 1989 I interviewed the Cult guitarist Billy Duffy. That was three days before the band released its fourth album, the Bob Rock-produced Sonic Temple, which would go platinum on the strength of tunes like "Sweet Soul Sister", "Edie (Ciao Baby)", and "Fire Woman". At one point … Continue reading That time the Cult’s Billy Duffy told me that Thin Lizzy was his number-one “teenie band”, and that it all boils down to the Les Paul
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”
If Joe Bonamassa had his way, Rory Gallagher, Paul Kossoff, and Danny Gatton would all be in the Rock Hall
By Steve Newton The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for its class of 2020 was broadcast on HBO last weekend. I didn't watch it. Nothing against inductees like T-Rex and the Doobie Brothers, but when somebody like Whitney Houston gets the nod over 2020 nominees like Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest, I … Continue reading If Joe Bonamassa had his way, Rory Gallagher, Paul Kossoff, and Danny Gatton would all be in the Rock Hall
That time I asked Gary Moore why he’d been in and out of Thin Lizzy so many times
By Steve Newton One of the biggest concert thrills of my life was seeing an on-fire Gary Moore playing guitar with Thin Lizzy when they warmed up for Styx in Vancouver on October 12, 1978. After Lizzy's astounding set I encountered Scott Gorham hanging out in front of a concession, having a smoke, listening to … Continue reading That time I asked Gary Moore why he’d been in and out of Thin Lizzy so many times
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 Joss Stone told me that the music kinda just falls out of Ernie Isley’s fingers
By Steve Newton I wasn't a close follower of soul crooner Joss Stone when I hooked up with her by phone in Brussels, Belgium, in September of 2012. But I knew that she had a great voice, and that she'd sung lead on two tracks on Jeff Beck's latest album, Emotion & Commotion. Speaking of … Continue reading That time Joss Stone told me that the music kinda just falls out of Ernie Isley’s fingers
That time Judas Priest’s Glenn Tipton told me that Rory Gallagher was the guy who made him pick up a guitar
By Steve Newton Back in 2005 I did my first interview with Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton, who I'd been a fan of ever since I heard him wailin' away with KK on the Screaming for Vengeance album of '82. After asking him what his fave Priest albums were, and which of his solos he … Continue reading That time Judas Priest’s Glenn Tipton told me that Rory Gallagher was the guy who made him pick up a guitar
That time Jack Blades told me about the different playing styles of Night Ranger guitarists Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson
By Steve Newton Back in January of 1984 I interviewed Night Ranger vocalist-bassist Jack Blades while his band was accompanying ZZ Top on its Eliminator Tour. I wasn't the biggest Night Ranger fan in the world back then. In the midst of the hard rock/metal craze I was more into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and … Continue reading That time Jack Blades told me about the different playing styles of Night Ranger guitarists Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson
Eddie Van Halen: what Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Jake E. Lee, Leslie West, and brother Alex told me about “the king”
By Steve Newton One of the biggest regrets of my career in rock journalism--and there aren't that many, believe it or not--was never getting the opportunity to interview Eddie Van Halen. I did get to chat with his big brother Alex once, and he gave me a really great interview, but it just wasn't the … Continue reading Eddie Van Halen: what Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Jake E. Lee, Leslie West, and brother Alex told me about “the king”
That time Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell told me that he got paid less than the road crew in Dio
By Steve Newton I interviewed Irish guitar hero Vivian Campbell in September of 1992, three weeks after his 30th birthday. Five months earlier he'd joined Def Leppard, one of the world's most popular rock bands, apparently being chosen over the likes of John Sykes, Gary Hoey, and Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden. So no wonder … Continue reading That time Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell told me that he got paid less than the road crew in Dio