By Steve Newton Anybody who's raised a coupla kids will tell ya: it's rough. I've raised a coupla kids and lemme tell ya: it's rough. But it's still the best thing in the world. Now raising a coupla kids while rockin' and rollin' with your guitar-legend hubby Gary Rossington, that's gotta be a challenge as … Continue reading That time I asked Dale Krantz-Rossington if it was rough being a mom and a rocker at the same time
Category: sounds of the south
That time I asked Dr. John who he’d most like to work with
bruce weber photo By Steve Newton When the weekend chores are done--well, a couple of 'em anyway--it's always fun to sit down and bang out a quick rock blog. The wife brought home some garlic chili coho candy (aka smoked salmon) and Stellas, there's Apollo Pizza on deck, and in the fading light of Father's … Continue reading That time I asked Dr. John who he’d most like to work with
Remembering Dr. John’s answering-machine message
By Steve Newton Back in 2004 I did my one and only interview with New Orleans music legend Dr. John, aka Mac Rebennack. The first time I called him, though, he wasn't around, and after four rings his answering machine turned on. His message was short, but also pretty cool. I don't remember if I … Continue reading Remembering Dr. John’s answering-machine message
That time I asked Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes about working with legendary producer Tom Dowd
By Steve Newton that's Dowd on the far left, hangin' with Warren and the Brothers By Steve Newton Legendary producer Tom Dowd has worked with some of the biggest names in the music biz, including--as Warren Haynes points out in this audio excerpt from 1994--Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and John Coltrane. But it was Dowd's … Continue reading That time I asked Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes about working with legendary producer Tom Dowd
The Drive-By Truckers’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton So far I've posted these wacky "20 best songs" lists for some of my fave bands from the '70s, including Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Robin Trower, Van Halen, AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, and Thin Lizzy. When I decided to compile one for the Drive-By Truckers, who are … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Burt Reynolds’ death two weeks after Ed King’s gets me raving about “Saturday Night Special”
By Steve Newton I never thought Lynyrd Skynyrd's third album, 1975's Nuthin' Fancy, was anywhere near as fine as its first two albums, but holy fvck did I love the opening track, "Saturday Night Special". It boasted a killer main riff by guitarist Ed King, and some seriously kick-ass, southern-fried solos by Gary Rossington. … Continue reading Burt Reynolds’ death two weeks after Ed King’s gets me raving about “Saturday Night Special”
That time Dickey Betts told me that the Allmans had “a good old time” on that porch from the Shades of Two Worlds cover
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Dickey Betts back on July 18, 1991, it was just two weeks since the Allman Brothers had released their 10th studio album, Shades of Two Worlds. That was very much "a Dickey album", since he'd written or co-written (with fellow guitarist Warren Haynes) five of the album's eight tracks, and also … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me that the Allmans had “a good old time” on that porch from the Shades of Two Worlds cover
That time I asked Dickey Betts if the Allman Brothers were the originators of “southern rock”
By Steve Newton I've been a big fan of "southern rock" since I first heard the Allman Brothers Band's version of "One Way Out" on the Eat a Peach album back in high school. Some of my other fave bands in the seventies were Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Outlaws, Molly Hatchet, and Blackfoot. So when I … Continue reading That time I asked Dickey Betts if the Allman Brothers were the originators of “southern rock”
Gary Rossington and Dale Krantz-Rossington on leaving Rossington Collins, having kids, and “Workin’ for Atlantic” in ’86
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 31, 1986 By Steve Newton Just before Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane went down on October 20, 1977, the now-legendary southern rock band released an album ironically titled Street Survivors. That crash took the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and singer/guitarist Steve Gaines, and grounded the band's career just as it … Continue reading Gary Rossington and Dale Krantz-Rossington on leaving Rossington Collins, having kids, and “Workin’ for Atlantic” in ’86
The Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley thinks Donald Trump “might be f***in’ crazy”
john gellman photograph By Steve Newton Drive-By Truckers singer, songwriter, and guitarist Mike Cooley has never been one to pull punches when it comes to politicians who he feels deserve a shot to the head--or a knee to the nuts, for that matter. I've been a huge fan of Cooley, and the band as a … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley thinks Donald Trump “might be f***in’ crazy”
Duane Allman and Berry Oakley’s motorcycle deaths couldn’t keep the Midnight Rider off his bike
By Steve Newton I've been on a bit of an Allman Brothers bender of late. It started a while back when Gregg had to cancel some shows due to a "serious illness". He's feeling much better now, I've heard, but I still wanted to send good thoughts while continuously cranking out the four-CD Dreams box … Continue reading Duane Allman and Berry Oakley’s motorcycle deaths couldn’t keep the Midnight Rider off his bike
Ever wonder why the Allman Brothers look so damn happy on the cover of At Fillmore East?
By Steve Newton The Allman Brothers' At Fillmore East is widely recognized as one of the greatest live albums in rock history. And you won't get any arguments about that from me. The band was at its peak, guitarists Duane Allman and Dickey Betts trading the type of inspired licks that would make future ABB … Continue reading Ever wonder why the Allman Brothers look so damn happy on the cover of At Fillmore East?
.38 Special’s Donnie Van Zant on the origins of southern rock and the drive of Jacksonville bands
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 2, 1982 By Steve Newton .38 Special's July 5 gig at the Kerrisdale Arena has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales, and according to lead singer Donnie Van Zant "it's a real shame". The show would have been the band's second Vancouver appearance. Their latest album, Special … Continue reading .38 Special’s Donnie Van Zant on the origins of southern rock and the drive of Jacksonville bands