By Steve Newton On August 18, 1990, I did my one and only interview with blues legend Albert King. I was very fortunate to have scored that interview, because a little over two years later he was gone. I called Albert up when he was on the road in Poughkeepsie, New York, and asked him … Continue reading That time I called up Albert King and asked how life was treatin’ him these days and he said “shit”
Johnny Winter documentary underscores the ineptitude of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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
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
That time Megadeth’s Marty Friedman told me that distortion was the common thread on the Clash of the Titans Tour
By Steve Newton Megadeth has featured a fair whack of wicked guitarists over the years. Alongside mainstay Dave Mustaine, the band has boasted such primo players as Chris Poland, Jeff Young, Marty Friedman, Al Pitrelli, Glen Drover, and Chris Broderick. When I did my first Megadeth interview, back in May of 1991, Friedman was the … Continue reading That time Megadeth’s Marty Friedman told me that distortion was the common thread on the Clash of the Titans Tour
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 Joan Jett told me that her songs come from real life, and that misery loves company
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Joan Jett back in 1992 I told her that one of her new songs, "The Only Good Thing (You Ever Said Was Goodbye)", reminded me, message-wise, of her hit tune from 1988, "I Hate Myself For Loving You". Then I asked her if those kind of tunes were inspired … Continue reading That time Joan Jett told me that her songs come from real life, and that misery loves company
That time I asked Ian Gillan if he ever wished Joe Satriani had become a permanent member of Deep Purple
By Steve Newton As most dedicated Deep Purple fans know, Joe Satriani was once a member of that legendary band. The Bay Area guitar wizard joined in December of 1993 after the volatile Ritchie Blackmore quit and left the group high-and-dry in the middle of a tour. Satch only stayed in the lineup for a … Continue reading That time I asked Ian Gillan if he ever wished Joe Satriani had become a permanent member of Deep Purple
Remembering Uriah Heep as a teenager in the seventies
By Steve Newton Having a bunch of vinyl albums from the seventies is cool, because the seventies were a while ago, and sometimes you forget which ones you actually own. Then when you go searching in the alphabetized stacks for a particular rock band from half a century ago you might find something that surprises … Continue reading Remembering Uriah Heep as a teenager in the seventies
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