By Steve Newton Some Def Leppard fans think the band was at its best when Steve Clark was in the lineup. I'm one of them. I interviewed Clark back in 1988 when the band was selling out arenas worldwide, touring behind its massively popular Hysteria album. At one point in the conversation I mentioned a quote from … Continue reading That time Def Leppard’s Steve Clark told me that Pyromania set the standard for a lot of groups
That time J.J. Cale told me that he was an old man by the time he made his first album
By Steve Newton Man, I just love listening to my old tapes of me talkin' with J.J. Cale. It's not as great as listening to his music, obviously, but there's something about J.J.'s Oklahoma accent--if there is such a thing--and his laidback tone that just makes me feel good. Here's a short audio excerpt from my … Continue reading That time J.J. Cale told me that he was an old man by the time he made his first album
That time I called Roy Buchanan up at his house and he raved about his new Bluesmaster guitar
By Steve Newton Man, I sure have been lucky as far as interviewing great guitarists go. Sometimes--in the case of guys like Joe Satriani, Buddy Guy, Dickey Betts, and Joe Bonamassa--I get to interview them a bunch of times. Other times--with deceased legends like Link Wray, Albert King, Gary Moore, and Danny Gatton--I consider … Continue reading That time I called Roy Buchanan up at his house and he raved about his new Bluesmaster guitar
Los Lobos reaches beyond roots-rock with By the Light of the Moon
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 29, 1987 By Steve Newton When Michael Jackson struck it huge five years ago with the Thriller LP, the phenomenal success of that album was not only seen as a breakthrough for Jackson himself, but as one for black music in general. Since then Jackson's buzz has pretty much … Continue reading Los Lobos reaches beyond roots-rock with By the Light of the Moon
Annihilator’s Jeff Waters wants to see Van Halen, Kiss, Slayer, and Ozzy (with Randy Rhoads) in a club tonight
By Steve Newton Had a nice chat with Annihilator's Jeff Waters a couple days ago, in advance of his show at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver on June 15. It had been a while. The last time I interviewed him was back in 1990, when his then-Vancouver-based band had just released its second (and most … Continue reading Annihilator’s Jeff Waters wants to see Van Halen, Kiss, Slayer, and Ozzy (with Randy Rhoads) in a club tonight
That time Tal Wilkenfeld told me about her switching from guitar to bass
By Steve Newton Anyone who's aware of the monstrous talent of Tal Wilkenfeld only knows her for her skills on the bass guitar, which she's used to showcase her abilities with the likes of Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and scores of other famous players. But when she first came over to the States from … Continue reading That time Tal Wilkenfeld told me about her switching from guitar to bass
That time Chris Cornell explained the rise of grunge to me
By Steve Newton It's been a week since grunge-rock icon Chris Cornell passed away, and fans are still trying to come to grips with the loss. Over the last seven days a lot of folks have been playing their fave Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog tunes, and shaking their heads in sadness and disbelief. … Continue reading That time Chris Cornell explained the rise of grunge to me
That time Leslie West told me that Eddie Van Halen inspired him to get back into guitar after rehab
By Steve Newton In the Year of Our Lord, 1974, Mountain was one of my favourite bands. Back then I played the crap out of their new live album, Twin Peaks, marvelling at how totally rockin' a cowbell could sound on "Mississippi Queen". And Leslie West's guitar playing wasn't too bad either. Four years later another American … Continue reading That time Leslie West told me that Eddie Van Halen inspired him to get back into guitar after rehab
That time blues legend Otis Rush told me that he was always tryin’
By Steve Newton I've interviewed a lot of legendary blues guitarists over the years. B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan--they don't get much more famous than that. But I've also managed to score time with lesser-known blues artists who--though not as familiar to the average music fan--have been very influential … Continue reading That time blues legend Otis Rush told me that he was always tryin’
Terror titan Wes Craven on the horrors of family and being cast in the role of the scary guy
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 7, 1991 By Steve Newton “Where do you get your ideas from?” Horror director Wes Craven must have heard that question a thousand times. It seems that everybody wants to know how he came up with the character of Freddy Kreuger, or how he was able to withstand … Continue reading Terror titan Wes Craven on the horrors of family and being cast in the role of the scary guy
Former Metal Queen Lee Aaron says you can’t build a career on a pretty face
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 24, 1991 By Steve Newton Although Toronto’s Lee Aaron has been a fixture on the Canadian music scene since the early ’80s, her first taste of substantial commercial success didn’t come until her 1990 album, Bodyrock. It’s been a long road, but the 29-year-old singer—who plays 86 Street … Continue reading Former Metal Queen Lee Aaron says you can’t build a career on a pretty face
The rootsy gut-bucket boogie of the Paladins gets a boost from Dave Alvin in Vancouver
@shotbykevin ORIGINAL PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUGUST 15, 1991 By Steve Newton Men Without Hats immortalized the idea “You can dance if you want to.” I dunno—sometimes I just can’t dance. But I was a regular dancin’ fool at the Commodore last Friday (August 9), and the decision to get up there and make … Continue reading The rootsy gut-bucket boogie of the Paladins gets a boost from Dave Alvin in Vancouver
Disgruntled Cult fans pelt Commodore door with donations at surprise Food Bank benefit
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton For a while it looked like a minor riot might break out on the Granville Mall last Sunday night, even with our cup-fumbling Canuckleheads out of action. But only a few disgruntled Cult fans among the estimated 2,000 to 3,000 turned away from … Continue reading Disgruntled Cult fans pelt Commodore door with donations at surprise Food Bank benefit