ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 8, 1987 By Steve Newton When Steve Earle was 14 years old, he ran away from his home outside of San Antonio, Texas, and headed to Houston. All he had was an acoustic guitar and a head stuffed with dreams of making a living in music. "I was real interested in … Continue reading Steve Earle on the influence of Elvis and making it with Guitar Town
“Weird guy” Donald Trump gets dumped by Precious Metal after “Mr. Big Stuff” video debacle
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 21, 1991 By Steve Newton Even in the big-bucks world of pop metal, rock ’n’ roll and money don’t always mix. Just ask Precious Metal vocalist Leslie Knauer, whose band had a recent run-in with billionaire developer Donald Trump that—apart from generating lots of publicity—didn’t benefit either side. … Continue reading “Weird guy” Donald Trump gets dumped by Precious Metal after “Mr. Big Stuff” video debacle
Telecaster queen Sue Foley didn’t pick up a guitar to get chicks–or even guys, for that matter
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 2, 1992 By Steve Newton Talk about the harried, high-pressure life of a traveling blueswoman! In her Phoenix, Arizona hotel room, Sue Foley is getting it from all sides. It’s check-out time, and room service is banging on the door; she’s playing Tucson that night, and her fellow musicians are out … Continue reading Telecaster queen Sue Foley didn’t pick up a guitar to get chicks–or even guys, for that matter
That time Yngwie Malmsteen told me that he escaped the Swedish army by threatening to shoot himself
By Steve Newton The first time I interviewed Yngwie Malmsteen, back in December of 1985, he was touring with Ronnie James Dio as opening act on the Sacred Heart tour. He was only 22 at the time, and four years earlier had spent a very brief stint in the Swedish army. Like, two days. When … Continue reading That time Yngwie Malmsteen told me that he escaped the Swedish army by threatening to shoot himself
Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1990
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 1990 By Steve Newton A good portion of my album picks for the year turned out to be from ageing rock veterans. Maybe 1990 wasn’t a great year for new artists—or maybe I just missed ’em—but the tunes that really got me going were by artists I’ve followed … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1990
Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s Randy Bachman once tried paying a surprise visit to Stephen King
By Steve Newton Hardcore fans of Stephen King are aware that he used the pen name Richard Bachman for a number of his early novels because he was a huge fan of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. But not many BTO fans know that the band's founding guitarist, Randy Bachman, once went looking for King in the horror … Continue reading Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s Randy Bachman once tried paying a surprise visit to Stephen King
Ronnie Montrose and Steve Morse jam for the first time on the Yardbirds’ “Shapes of Things”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 29, 1994 By Steve Newton What do ’60s British rock pioneers the Yardbirds, ’70s fusion greats the Mahavishnu Orchestra, instrumental southern-rockers the Dixie Dregs, and cult guitar hero Ronnie Montrose have in common? Not that much, really, but at the Commodore on Wednesday (September 21) the musical legacies … Continue reading Ronnie Montrose and Steve Morse jam for the first time on the Yardbirds’ “Shapes of Things”
The incredible story behind the Ear of Newt autographed guitar
By Steve Newton Back in January of 2013 when I started planning the Ear of Newt website--which I launched on Halloween night that year--I knew I had to get my autographed plexiglass guitar into the picture. I'd been dragging it around to concerts to get it signed by my fave pickers--folks like Link Wray, Ronnie … Continue reading The incredible story behind the Ear of Newt autographed guitar
That time Allan Holdsworth told me that he didn’t really like playing to guitar players
By Steve Newton In the single week since his death last Saturday, Allan Holdsworth's name has probably been heard about as many times as it was during his entire life. Outside of the guitar cognoscenti, the pioneering jazz-fusion player has been shamefully overlooked, so much so that he's had to struggle for years just to … Continue reading That time Allan Holdsworth told me that he didn’t really like playing to guitar players
Queen guitarist Brian May doesn’t have much interest in doing “virtuoso stuff”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 25, 1993 By Steve Newton Ever since Wayne’s World came out, I’ve been considering legal action against writer/star Mike Myers. You know that scene where Wayne and Garth are driving around with their buddies in a purple Pinto, singing along and banging their heads to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”? Well, I think … Continue reading Queen guitarist Brian May doesn’t have much interest in doing “virtuoso stuff”
That time I asked Warren Zevon what his idea of a great movie soundtrack might be
By Steve Newton I only got to interview Warren Zevon once, back in 1992, when he was touring behind his Mr. Bad Example album. Man, I wish I could have interviewed Warren Zevon a few more times. Anyway, at the time of our chat he'd already composed the music for a TV miniseries (Drug Wars: … Continue reading That time I asked Warren Zevon what his idea of a great movie soundtrack might be
That time guitar phenomenon Allan Holdsworth told me that he originally wanted to play sax
By Steve Newton If you're a certified guitar freak, you've no doubt already heard the sad news of Allan Holdsworth's passing. The pioneering British prog-jazz virtuoso has passed away at the age of 70. Yesterday I posted an audio excerpt from the interview I did with Holdsworth back in 1986, in which he talked about … Continue reading That time guitar phenomenon Allan Holdsworth told me that he originally wanted to play sax
Dickey Betts ponders an Allman Brothers reunion and wonders what Duane would think of the music scene in 1989
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 31, 1989 By Steve Newton Southern rock. The raw bite of the blues tempered by a free-wheelin', down-home country feel. Gruff, unencumbered vocals and soaring, twin lead guitars. Songs about ramblin' men, poison whiskey, and Saturday night specials. You have no choice: ya gotta like it. Unfortunately, in … Continue reading Dickey Betts ponders an Allman Brothers reunion and wonders what Duane would think of the music scene in 1989