The Fins frontman Dave Chisholm opening for Johnny Winter. Photo by Bruce Law. By Steve Newton The Commodore Ballroom is one of the best places in Vancouver to see a concert. Back in the seventies, before I started working as a music writer for the Georgia Straight, I would make the one-hour trek from my … Continue reading Vancouver blues-rocker Dave Chisholm recalls his band the Fins opening for Johnny Winter
That time 23-year-old Sue Foley told me that she didn’t pick up a guitar to get chicks–or guys, for that matter
By Steve Newton Back in March of 1992 I did my first interview with Canadian blues singer and Telecaster slinger Sue Foley. This was just before the release of her debut album, Young Girl Blues, and she was heading to Vancouver to perform as part of the Antone’s Women Blues Revue. At one point in … Continue reading That time 23-year-old Sue Foley told me that she didn’t pick up a guitar to get chicks–or guys, for that matter
Sean Costello played lead guitar on Susan Tedeschi’s debut album while still in high school
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 4, 2007 By Steve Newton The world is full of wicked blues guitarists, but few are as downright tasty as 26-year-old Sean Costello. He started playing at the age of nine, shortly after moving from Philadelphia to Atlanta, absorbing the skills of the sharpest pickers around. “Hubert Sumlin was the first … Continue reading Sean Costello played lead guitar on Susan Tedeschi’s debut album while still in high school
That time Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke told me that Paul Rodgers was one of his big vocal influences
By Steve Newton Back in 1997 I interviewed Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke in advance of a Vancouver show by Skynyrd that also had Paul Rodgers on the bill. I'd been a big fan of Medlocke's previous band, Blackfoot, back in the seventies, and always loved their version of Free's "Wishing Well" on the 1979 … Continue reading That time Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke told me that Paul Rodgers was one of his big vocal influences
Oh my f***ing god! Rock Hall snubs Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray yet again!
By Steve Newton Well, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has done it again. A few days ago the Cleveland-based institution nominated 17 bands and artists to its class of 2022, but once more just plumb forgot the three artists most deserving of immediate induction: Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray. Instead they … Continue reading Oh my f***ing god! Rock Hall snubs Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray yet again!
That time Cinderella’s Tom Keifer told me that, if you were in a hard-rock band, Philadelphia sucked
By Steve Newton Back in March of 1991 I interviewed Tom Keifer, frontman and main songwriter for Philadelphia hard-rock band Cinderella. That was less than four months after the release of the group's third album, Heartbreak Station, which spawned the hit single "Shelter Me". At one point in the conversation I asked Keifer what sort … Continue reading That time Cinderella’s Tom Keifer told me that, if you were in a hard-rock band, Philadelphia sucked
It’s My Life, and it’s my unpublished 1984 interview with Mark Hollis of Talk Talk
By Steve Newton Back in early 1984 I did an interview with Mark Hollis of British synth-pop band Talk Talk. I wasn't really into synth-pop--I was more into Iron Maiden, Scorpions, and Van Halen--but I took the assignment because Talk Talk was promoting its new album, It's My Life, and was planning to visit my … Continue reading It’s My Life, and it’s my unpublished 1984 interview with Mark Hollis of Talk Talk
That time NRBQ’s Terry Adams told me that the music is always best when it’s surprising
By Steve Newton Back in August of 1997 I did my first interview with NRBQ keyboardist-vocalist Terry Adams. His quartet--one of the world's greatest live rock 'n' roll bands--was headed to Vancouver for a gig at a short-lived venue called The Gate. As the conversation was winding down I asked Adams about his penchant for … Continue reading That time NRBQ’s Terry Adams told me that the music is always best when it’s surprising
That time I asked Gary Moore why he thought metal was so big in Britain
By Steve Newton Way back in May of 1984 I did my one and only interview with guitar legend Gary Moore, while he was on tour with Rush. That was five months after the release of his fourth album, Victims of the Future, which was still during his pre-blues, hard rock/heavy metal phase. At one … Continue reading That time I asked Gary Moore why he thought metal was so big in Britain
25 rock albums from 1977 that are way better than Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell
By Steve Newton Since the death of Meat Loaf last Thursday I've been hearing an awful lot about his 1977 debut album, Bat Out of Hell. The media's been falling all over itself, declaring how it's one of the best-selling albums of all time--moving over 40 million copies--and how much people love the music on … Continue reading 25 rock albums from 1977 that are way better than Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell
ZZ Top’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton God bless that little ol' band from Texas. 20. "Just Got Back from Baby's" (ZZ Top's First Album, 1971) 19. "She's a Heartbreaker" (Tejas, 1976) 18, "Just Got Paid" (Rio Grande Mud, 1972) 17. "Tube Snake Boogie" (El Loco, 1981) 16. "Master of Sparks" (Tres Hombres, 1973) 15. "PCH" (Antenna, 1994) 14. … Continue reading ZZ Top’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Led Zeppelin’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I realize millions of Zep fans might complain about "Stairway to Heaven" not being Number One, but they'll get over it. 20. "Ten Years Gone" (Physical Graffiti, 1975) 19. "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" (Led Zeppelin, 1969) 18. "Celebration Day" (Led Zeppelin III, 1970) 17. "Achilles Last Stand" (Presence, 1976) 16. "In … Continue reading Led Zeppelin’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time Rickey Medlocke told me that the rebel flag was just a symbol of where Skynyrd came from
By Steve Newton Lynyrd Skynyrd doesn't fly the rebel flag in concert anymore, from what I've heard. But back in 1997 they sure did. So when I interviewed guitarist Rickey Medlocke before a '97 show in Vancouver I asked him if, from his Native American perspective, he found there to be intolerance among southern-rock fans … Continue reading That time Rickey Medlocke told me that the rebel flag was just a symbol of where Skynyrd came from