By Steve Newton Back in 1985 I interviewed British art-pop legend Kate Bush, who was promoting her new album Hounds of Love, which you may recall spawned the hit single "Running Up That Hill". At one point in the conversation she told me about working with David Gilmour as a teenager, discovering Pink Floyd, and … Continue reading That time Kate Bush told me about working with David Gilmour and experiencing the “profound” Pink Floyd
Tony Carey not happy that I blogged about his ancient issues with Rainbow
By Steve Newton Whoa! I woke up to an angry Facebook message from rocker Tony Carey this morning. Turns out the singer, songwriter, and keyboard great was none too impressed with the blog I posted yesterday, which included audio from 1984 of him denouncing his previous band, Rainbow, and in particular guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. "Why … Continue reading Tony Carey not happy that I blogged about his ancient issues with Rainbow
Tony Carey found no beauty in Rainbow: “I wouldn’t tell Ritchie Blackmore if his hair was on fire”
By Steve Newton Back in May of 1984 I did a phone interview with Tony Carey, who at the time was basking in the success of a solo career that had produced such radio-friendly hits as "A Fine, Fine Day" and "The First Day of Summer". He'd first caught my ear as the keyboardist for … Continue reading Tony Carey found no beauty in Rainbow: “I wouldn’t tell Ritchie Blackmore if his hair was on fire”
That time Kate Bush told me about creating the music video for her new single “Running Up That Hill”
By Steve Newton Back in November of 1985 I did a phone interview with Kate Bush, who was promoting her new album The Hounds of Love at the time. Three months earlier she'd released the single "Running Up That Hill", which I really liked, but I hadn't yet seen the new video for it. So … Continue reading That time Kate Bush told me about creating the music video for her new single “Running Up That Hill”
That time I hired an Elvis impersonator for my mom’s 87th birthday and he stole her away to Vegas!
photos by Julie Newton Katz By Steve Newton Okay, so maybe he didn't steal her away to Vegas. But Steve "Elvis" Elliott sure charmed the heck outta my mom during his one-hour show at the Waverly Seniors Village in Chilliwack today. Elliott--a resident of the 'Wack who travels all around B.C. performing Elvis Presley tribute shows--rolled … Continue reading That time I hired an Elvis impersonator for my mom’s 87th birthday and he stole her away to Vegas!
Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 4, 1986 By Steve Newton Until the release of the album Power Lines, Jim Foster had not been heard from for many years. It makes one wonder whether the Alberta-raised singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is on somewhat of a comeback. "Well gosh," says Foster. "How can you make a comeback when … Continue reading Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver
That time Ronnie James Dio got me and my nephew Jeff backstage on the Sacred Heart Tour
By Steve Newton I did my one and only interview with Ronnie James Dio back in December of 1985. The metal legend, 43 at the time, was headed to Vancouver for a show on his Sacred Heart tour, with opening act Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. I'd been a fan of his since I first heard Elf … Continue reading That time Ronnie James Dio got me and my nephew Jeff backstage on the Sacred Heart Tour
Skywalk guitarist Harris Van Berkel makes like Larry Carlton for The Bohemians
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 28, 1986 By Steve Newton Skywalk guitarist Harris Van Berkel carefully ponders the suggestion that his group's new album has sort of a West Coast sound to it. "There's a slight one... There's a kind of a West Coast affiliation, I guess. We definitely don't have an East Coast sound, you know … Continue reading Skywalk guitarist Harris Van Berkel makes like Larry Carlton for The Bohemians
Cheering for St. Louis because Santana rocked that Blues jersey back in 1980
By Steve Newton The Stanley Cup playoffs are always more fun when there's somebody to cheer for, but since no Canadian teams made the cut this year, it's been kind of a drag. I mean, who were us hosers supposed to root for? The stinkin' Kings? Not a hope in hell, eh. Since my fave … Continue reading Cheering for St. Louis because Santana rocked that Blues jersey back in 1980
Jimmy Barnes goes solo with Canadian connection after Cold Chisel hits its peak
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 6, 1986 By Steve Newton What do you get when you combine the guitarist from Streetheart, the bassist from Headpins, the keyboardist from Sharp Edges, the drummer from the Bryan Adams band, and the lead singer from Cold Chisel? Well, with a little time, you get a pretty … Continue reading Jimmy Barnes goes solo with Canadian connection after Cold Chisel hits its peak
Kris Schulz plays beautiful tune by Columbia River, beckons Phil Lynott’s thunderous soul
By Steve Newton Vancouver guitar ace Kris Schulz posted a clip on his Facebook page today in which he's playing a beautiful instrumental next to an equally gorgeous river. "Wild Mountain Thyme has always been a favorite of mine to play," says Schulz in the post, "and yesterday's setting alongside the banks of the Columbia river was … Continue reading Kris Schulz plays beautiful tune by Columbia River, beckons Phil Lynott’s thunderous soul
Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 9: Thunderhead are “heavy metal all the way”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, JUNE 17, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the final story of a series on local bands that has profiled Joker, The Lakers, The Vacationers, Loose Change, Citizen's Band, The Postcards, Midnight Smoke and Homegrown, The Progress presents a look at Thunderhead.) Heavily metallic rock music has come a long way … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 9: Thunderhead are “heavy metal all the way”
Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 8: Homegrown just plans on “having a good time”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, MAY 20, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the eighth of a series of stories on local bands, The Progress presents a profile of the group Homegrown. Next: Thunderhead.) Homegrown, probably the best-known dance band in the Chilliwack area, is a prime example of local musical talent that has been … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 8: Homegrown just plans on “having a good time”