George Benson brings smooth style and a soulful strut to Vancouver

chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 12, 1986 By Steve Newton After being rocked silly there by the likes of Kim Mitchell and George Thorogood, it was nice to mellow down easy at the Expo Theatre last Saturday (September 6) with the sophisticated uptown jazz of ace guitarist/vocalist George Benson. After … Continue reading George Benson brings smooth style and a soulful strut to Vancouver

That time Gregg Allman told me how Allman Brothers roadie Red Dog dared him to redo “Whipping Post”

By Steve Newton When I interviewed Gregg Allman back in February of 1998 he was touring behind his fifth solo release, Searching for Simplicity. That album opened with an unplugged version of "Whipping Post", the song he wrote for the Allman Brothers' debut album in 1969, but which didn't reach its full potential until it … Continue reading That time Gregg Allman told me how Allman Brothers roadie Red Dog dared him to redo “Whipping Post”

That time Tony Iommi told me about the “loon” who wanted to stab him onstage at a Black Sabbath show

By Steve Newton This is probly the last audio excerpt I'll post from my 2007 interview with legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. Maybe one day I'll just post the whole damn conversation--and the one from 1984 as well. You'll have to keep checking back to find out, I suppose. Anyway, this excerpt I thought was … Continue reading That time Tony Iommi told me about the “loon” who wanted to stab him onstage at a Black Sabbath show

That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what they liked listening to in their spare time

By Steve Newton When I interviewed some of the guys from AC/DC back in '83, on the eve of the Flick of the Switch tour, I asked them which groups they liked listening to in their spare time. Both Brian Johnson and Malcolm Young mentioned ZZ Top. "I just like their attitude and all ya … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what they liked listening to in their spare time

That time I asked Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi if music was just better in the seventies

By Steve Newton When I interviewed legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi in 2007 he had recently reunited with Ronnie James Dio for a tour under the band name Heaven and Hell, which was used to differentiate it from the Ozzy Osbourne-fronted version of Sabbath. At the time there were a few other big reunion … Continue reading That time I asked Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi if music was just better in the seventies

George Thorogood resembles Chuck Berry on speed at Vancouver’s Expo 86

john scully photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 5, 1986 By Steve Newton George Thorogood likes to claim that he's "Bad to the Bone", and last Monday (September 1) at Expo Theatre the rockin' bluesman from Delaware delighted a sold-out crowd with his don't-mess-with-me style and down 'n' dirty boogie tunes. Like Chuck … Continue reading George Thorogood resembles Chuck Berry on speed at Vancouver’s Expo 86

Don’t Breathe delivers endless thrills and chills

By Steve Newton ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUGUST 28, 2016 By Steve Newton Director Fede Alvarez blasted onto the scary-movie scene in 2013 with his twisted Evil Dead remake. It was the most shocking and intense horror flick to get widespread theatrical release in North America that year. The Uruguan-born filmmaker shows no signs of changing … Continue reading Don’t Breathe delivers endless thrills and chills

That time Tony Iommi told me about the early rivalry between Black Sabbath and Deep Purple

By Steve Newton When I interviewed guitar legend Tony Iommi back in March of 2007 he was bringing his Ronnie James Dio-fronted version of Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, to Vancouver for a show at the Pacific Coliseum with Megadeth and Down. At one point I asked Iommi whether he was a fan of Dio's … Continue reading That time Tony Iommi told me about the early rivalry between Black Sabbath and Deep Purple

That time the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie told me that he just loves meeting other musicians–period

By Steve Newton As most Canadian rock fans know, the Tragically Hip ended its final major tour in August of 2016 with a gig in its Kingston hometown that was broadcast (and celebrated) nationwide. Touring has always been at the heart of what the Hip is all about. Sure, making amazing records is a biggie … Continue reading That time the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie told me that he just loves meeting other musicians–period

Kim Mitchell says “It’s 1986! Wouldn’t you be shakin’ like a human being?”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 22, 1986 By Steve Newton When Kim Mitchell plays Expo Theatre this Monday (August 25), one of the cooler tunes emanating over the Expo grounds is sure to be his "Go For Soda". Mitchell had a big hit with the song last year, but it wasn't just the … Continue reading Kim Mitchell says “It’s 1986! Wouldn’t you be shakin’ like a human being?”

That time Gord Downie told me that the 15 minutes after a Tragically Hip show are his favourite time of the day

By Steve Newton If you're a dedicated Tragically Hip fan you've no doubt seen their final concert, which took place in the band's Kingston hometown on August 20, 2016, and was broadcast live on CBC-TV. It was an historic gig, bursting with emotion, and for me the finest moment came during one of the several … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me that the 15 minutes after a Tragically Hip show are his favourite time of the day

That time Craig Northey told me what he really thinks about the Hip not being big in the States

By Steve Newton I did the last of my five interviews with Gord Downie back in October of 1996, when the Tragically Hip was at its peak of popularity. At that point the latest Hip CD, Trouble at the Henhouse, had sold about 100,000 copies in the U.S., which, while a respectable number, still paled drastically … Continue reading That time Craig Northey told me what he really thinks about the Hip not being big in the States