By Steve Newton It's a sad day for fans of '70s and '80s hard-rock and heavy-metal. Martin Birch, who produced and/or engineered more popular metal albums than most anyone, died earlier today at the age of 71. Birch produced such monumental loud-rock albums as Rainbow's Rising, Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell, Blue Oyster Cult's Fire … Continue reading Martin Birch, producer of unforgettable hard-rock/metal albums, dies at 71
That time Steve Earle raved to me about the influence of Elvis and the generosity of Springsteen
By Steve Newton I've interviewed Steve Earle five times, 'cause he's one of my favourite all-time songwriters. The first time was back in May of 1987, two weeks before the official release of his second album, Exit O. ("It's Exit Zero", he explained to me when I tried pronouncing it "Exit Oh".) At one point … Continue reading That time Steve Earle raved to me about the influence of Elvis and the generosity of Springsteen
That time the Cadillac Tramps’ Gabby Gaborno told me that if he feels something he does it
By Steve Newton The Cadillac Tramps were one of the wildest live bands around in the early nineties. They were right up there with the Beat Farmers. Matter of fact, when I interviewed Tramps frontman Gabby Gaborno in November of 1991 the punk-rockers from Orange County, California were on tour opening for the Farmers. Now … Continue reading That time the Cadillac Tramps’ Gabby Gaborno told me that if he feels something he does it
Peter Green’s masterful guitarwork lights up vinyl release of unearthed Fleetwood Mac live and demo tracks
By Steve Newton The blues-guitar world lost one of its finest practitioners last month when Peter Green passed away at the age of 73. But hardcore Greeny fans can take some solace in the fact that a new collection of previously unreleased recordings, Fleetwood Mac Before the Beginning Vol 2: Live & Demo Sessions 1970, … Continue reading Peter Green’s masterful guitarwork lights up vinyl release of unearthed Fleetwood Mac live and demo tracks
That time drum great Terry Bozzio told me about auditioning for Thin Lizzy at Gary Moore’s request
By Steve Newton As anyone who's read my stuff over the years will attest, I'm a huge Thin Lizzy fan. Anytime I get a chance to include a little tidbit about that band in my blogs I go for it. So the other day as I was digitizing my 2003 interview with drum great Terry … Continue reading That time drum great Terry Bozzio told me about auditioning for Thin Lizzy at Gary Moore’s request
That time Joe Satriani told me why Neil Young was such a great guitarist
By Steve Newton Back in 1990 I did the first of my eight interviews with American guitar wizard Joe Satriani. At the time Satch was touring behind his Flying in a Blue Dream album, which is one fine batch of tunes. At one point in the conversation I asked him about a quote in Kerrang! … Continue reading That time Joe Satriani told me why Neil Young was such a great guitarist
That time Deep Purple’s Roger Glover told me what Ritchie Blackmore was really like as a person
By Steve Newton I did my second interview with Roger Glover back in March of 1985, when Deep Purple's "Mark II" lineup had reunited and the band was touring behind its Perfect Strangers album. At one point in the conversation I asked Glover about the band's legendary guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, and his reputation for being … Continue reading That time Deep Purple’s Roger Glover told me what Ritchie Blackmore was really like as a person
Powerage is the only AC/DC album better than Back in Black
steve newton photo By Steve Newton There was a lotta fuss being made in the rock-music world back on July 25, 2020, when AC/DC's Back in Black celebrated its 40th anniversary. But where was all the commotion on June 19, 2018, when Powerage hit the Big Four-Oh? Now that was cause for celebration! Don't get … Continue reading Powerage is the only AC/DC album better than Back in Black
Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page, but Mick Fleetwood says “he was the guy”
Steve Newton Sad news for music fans today. Peter Green, the British guitarist who made a name for himself with his stunning work in the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac, has passed away at the age of 73. Long before the pop-minded duo of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham put their radio-friendly stamp on Fleetwood Mac, … Continue reading Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page, but Mick Fleetwood says “he was the guy”
That time the Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik told me that his big sister first turned him on to music
By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Goo Goo Dolls singer-guitarist John Rzeznik three months after the release of A Boy Named Goo, when the band was headed to Vancouver for a club gig. This was just three months before the release of the hit single "Name", which shot the Goo to the … Continue reading That time the Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik told me that his big sister first turned him on to music
That time I called up Albert Collins and asked what attracted him to the blues
By Steve Newton Sometimes when I'm feeling a little down, uncertain about the future, I like to go through my piles of interview cassettes, pick something out, and just listen to bits of conversations I had with legendary bluesmen decades ago. Fight the blues with the blues, I reckon. Here's what it sounded like back … Continue reading That time I called up Albert Collins and asked what attracted him to the blues
That time Steve Hackett told me about hearing Queen’s demo tapes and thinking Genesis’ label should sign them
By Steve Newton Before Queen became one of the top rock bands on the planet, they were just another struggling band trying to score a record deal. That's how Steve Hackett remembers it, anyway. When I interviewed the former Genesis guitarist back in 1993 I asked him about his relationship with Queen guitarist Brian May, … Continue reading That time Steve Hackett told me about hearing Queen’s demo tapes and thinking Genesis’ label should sign them
54-40 guitarist Dave Genn recalls his chance meeting with Stevie Ray Vaughan just weeks before his tragic death
By Steve Newton One of my favourite guitar-hero memories involves that time back in the early '80s when I went backstage at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum and met Stevie Ray Vaughan. I'll never forget it because he signed my vinyl copy of Texas Flood, and when I shook his hand it felt like a freakin' vice! … Continue reading 54-40 guitarist Dave Genn recalls his chance meeting with Stevie Ray Vaughan just weeks before his tragic death