By Steve Newton When I interviewed Graham Bonnet back in 1984 he was fronting a hard-rock/metal band called Alcatrazz that featured an unknown guitarist named Yngwie Malmsteen, who would not stay unknown for long. Two years earlier Bonnet had been a member of the Michael Schenker Group, which also boasted an amazing guitar player, a guy … Continue reading Graham Bonnet was bandmates with Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, and Yngwie Malmsteen, but called Gary Moore his hero
That time I asked bass goddess Tal Wilkenfeld how she got so goddamn good
By Steve Newton Sometimes when I listen to a musician perform I wonder to myself, "How did they get so goddamn good?" And sometimes--if I meet said musician in my capacity as a music writer--I'll just flat out ask them how they got so goddamn good. I did it with guitarist Guthrie Govan in 2015, and … Continue reading That time I asked bass goddess Tal Wilkenfeld how she got so goddamn good
That time Graham Bonnet told me that Ritchie Blackmore isn’t moody at all, just a nice, shy guy
By Steve Newton Ritchie Blackmore is one of my favourite guitarists of all time. As a 15-year-old when Machine Head was released in 1972, I could barely comprehend how great his guitar solo on "Highway Star" made me feel. Over and over again. Two years later he did it again with the lead break on "Burn". … Continue reading That time Graham Bonnet told me that Ritchie Blackmore isn’t moody at all, just a nice, shy guy
The Drive-By Truckers wonder what the hell is wrong with some people
By Steve Newton The Drive-By Truckers have always been a politically minded outfit, but on their brand-new album, American Band, they really waste no time in tackling the big issues of their home country. The opening track, “Ramon Casiano”, tells the fact-based (but little-known) story of former NRA leader Harlon Carter’s shotgun murder, in 1931, … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers wonder what the hell is wrong with some people
That time Graham Bonnet told me about unknown Alcatrazz guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen: “He’s one day gonna be a star”
By Steve Newton Back in the '80s one of my jobs at the Georgia Straight newspaper in Vancouver was to cover the hard-rock/heavy metal beat. Soon after getting hired as a proofreader/typesetter in '82 I was doing articles on Priest, Scorps, Maiden, and Ozzy, which--to my utter delight--often ended up as the cover story. Metal was … Continue reading That time Graham Bonnet told me about unknown Alcatrazz guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen: “He’s one day gonna be a star”
Mick Fleetwood says he’s more expressive with his blues band than with Fleetwood Mac
By Steve Newton Mick Fleetwood is best known as the drummer for one of history’s most popular recording acts, Fleetwood Mac. But eight years before that band became the multiplatinum voice of mid-’70s pop, it was a gritty blues-rock outfit led by a stunning guitarist by the name of Peter Green. So when Fleetwood calls … Continue reading Mick Fleetwood says he’s more expressive with his blues band than with Fleetwood Mac
The Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley thinks Donald Trump “might be f***in’ crazy”
john gellman photograph By Steve Newton Drive-By Truckers singer, songwriter, and guitarist Mike Cooley has never been one to pull punches when it comes to politicians who he feels deserve a shot to the head--or a knee to the nuts, for that matter. I've been a huge fan of Cooley, and the band as a … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley thinks Donald Trump “might be f***in’ crazy”
That time Rick Derringer told me that one of the favourite solos he ever played was for Air Supply
By Steve Newton Back in the seventies, Rick Derringer was one of my top rock heroes. I mean, come on, the guy wrote "Still Alive and Well". He played on 1971's Johnny Winter And Live. He produced the Edgar Winter Group's They Only Come Out at Night (my intro to Ronnie Montrose) in '72. He played … Continue reading That time Rick Derringer told me that one of the favourite solos he ever played was for Air Supply
That time Mick Fleetwood told me that Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page
By Steve Newton Legendary drummer Mick Fleetwood called me up a couple days ago to plug his upcoming gig at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, and I made sure to ask him all about his long-ago bandmate Peter Green. Fleetwood's current outfit, the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, is performing several Green-penned songs from the early … Continue reading That time Mick Fleetwood told me that Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page
Duane Allman and Berry Oakley’s motorcycle deaths couldn’t keep the Midnight Rider off his bike
By Steve Newton I've been on a bit of an Allman Brothers bender of late. It started a while back when Gregg had to cancel some shows due to a "serious illness". He's feeling much better now, I've heard, but I still wanted to send good thoughts while continuously cranking out the four-CD Dreams box … Continue reading Duane Allman and Berry Oakley’s motorcycle deaths couldn’t keep the Midnight Rider off his bike
Blair Witch goes all-in on freakiness, not so much on scares
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 17, 2016 By Steve Newton The Blair Witch Project was a huge sleeper hit when it came out in 1999. Made on the cheap, it grossed nearly $250 million worldwide, putting the found-footage horror flick on the map and paving the way for other low-budget cash cows like the Paranormal … Continue reading Blair Witch goes all-in on freakiness, not so much on scares
Ever wonder why the Allman Brothers look so damn happy on the cover of At Fillmore East?
By Steve Newton The Allman Brothers' At Fillmore East is widely recognized as one of the greatest live albums in rock history. And you won't get any arguments about that from me. The band was at its peak, guitarists Duane Allman and Dickey Betts trading the type of inspired licks that would make future ABB … Continue reading Ever wonder why the Allman Brothers look so damn happy on the cover of At Fillmore East?
That time Gord Downie told me that the Tragically Hip would love to make a record every month
By Steve Newton Here's the last audio excerpt I'm gonna post from the fourth interview I did with Gordon Downie, back in July of '95. As the interview wound down I asked the legendary Canuck rocker if the Tragically Hip ever got pressure from its record label to crank records out by a particular date. … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me that the Tragically Hip would love to make a record every month