Gary Moore’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton It was a tough call picking "The Loner" over "Parisienne Walkways" for the #1 spot, but "The Loner" is just a little bit more Moore. 20. "Wishing Well" (Corridors of Power, 1982) 19. "Ball and Chain" (Scars, 2002) 18. "Cold Day in Hell" (After Hours, 1992) 17. "Empty Rooms" (Victims of the … Continue reading Gary Moore’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

Virtual screening of The Humbler–Danny Gatton helps support the family of “the world’s greatest unknown guitarist”

If you're a diehard follower of Danny Gatton--or just a big fan of amazing guitar playing--then there's a virtual screening going on right now that you should be aware of.

Al Pitrelli says that Megadeth is back to making aggressive, snotty, purist heavy metal again

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 2001 By Steve Newton Two Christmases ago, guitarist Al Pitrelli received a wicked gift he wasn't expecting. It started with a seasonal dingle from a long-time friend, Megadeth drummer Jimmy DeGrasso. "It was our basic 'Merry Christmas' phone call," Pitrelli relates from his New York City home, "followed by, 'So, … Continue reading Al Pitrelli says that Megadeth is back to making aggressive, snotty, purist heavy metal again

Irish guitar great Joe Hodgson recalls seeing Gary Moore at Donnington 40 years ago today

By Steve Newton Just got a message from Irish guitarist Joe Hodgson--who's amazing fretboard skills I've written about before--noting that it was 40 years ago today that he first witnessed his idol Gary Moore in concert. On August 18, 1984, Hodgson attended the Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donnington in England. The concert was … Continue reading Irish guitar great Joe Hodgson recalls seeing Gary Moore at Donnington 40 years ago today

That time Nicolette Larson told me that her mystery lead-guitar player was Eddie Van Halen

By Steve Newton Today (July 17, 2024) would have been American pop vocalist Nicolette Larson's 72nd birthday. She was best known for "Lotta Love", the catchy, Neil Young-penned #1 single she recorded on her 1978 debut album, Nicolette. Sadly, the beautifully gap-toothed singer with the astonishingly long hair passed away on December 16, 1997, as … Continue reading That time Nicolette Larson told me that her mystery lead-guitar player was Eddie Van Halen

Guitar legend Michael Schenker to release My Years With UFO on green vinyl this fall

By Steve Newton I still remember buying the new UFO album, Phenomenon, as a high-schooler back in 1974. Man, I couldn't believe the array of great songs on that LP, and especially the mindboggling guitarwork by a teenager named Michael Schenker. His extended solo on "Rock Bottom" was the wildest guitar freakout I'd heard since … Continue reading Guitar legend Michael Schenker to release My Years With UFO on green vinyl this fall

10 minutes on the phone with Steve Morse in 1991

By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Steve Morse in May of 1991, just after he'd released his fourth post-Dixie Dregs album, Southern Steel. That was just three years before he'd join Deep Purple, the band he'd remain with for 28 years. Steve Morse is an astounding guitarist, obviously, but also came off … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Steve Morse in 1991

That time Steve Morse told me about his recent gig with Eddie Van Halen and Albert Lee at NAMM

By Steve Newton Back in May of 1991 I did my first interview with Steve Morse, who called me up from his home in the hills of Northern California. That was just after he’d released his fourth post-Dixie Dregs album, Southern Steel, and three years before he joined Deep Purple. Near the start of the interview … Continue reading That time Steve Morse told me about his recent gig with Eddie Van Halen and Albert Lee at NAMM

As Canada’s team takes on Dallas, Johnny Winter’s foreboding 1969 blues tune comes to mind

By Steve Newton Now that the Edmonton Oilers have sent the Vancouvers Canucks golfing--and quashed any possibility of yet another Vancouver hockey riot--it's time to see how Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and the boys do against the formidable Dallas Stars. It's not gonna be an easy battle for Canada's team, I'm sure of that, … Continue reading As Canada’s team takes on Dallas, Johnny Winter’s foreboding 1969 blues tune comes to mind

Blues legend B.B. King made a huge impression on Nanaimo’s David Gogo

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 7, 2013 By Steve Newton Blues-rocker David Gogo opened for the legendary B.B. King in his hometown of Nanaimo last Tuesday (March 5). Since we're tweetin' buddies (follow him at @DavidGogoBlues) I asked Dave-O if he wanted to shoot me a little write-up about himself and the master. Here's what he … Continue reading Blues legend B.B. King made a huge impression on Nanaimo’s David Gogo

R.I.P. Dickey Betts: the 10 best quotes I ever got from the legendary Allman Brothers guitarist

kirk west photo By Steve Newton If you're a fan of southern rock, or just music in general, you may have heard the sad news: legendary Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts passed away today at the age of 80. Musicians don't get much more celebrated than Dickey did. His guitar playing--along with that of fellow … Continue reading R.I.P. Dickey Betts: the 10 best quotes I ever got from the legendary Allman Brothers guitarist