By Steve Newton Back in 2016 I interviewed one of my fave guitarists, Joe Satriani, for the seventh time. I'm always curious what the world's finest pickers would choose as their "desert island discs"--the albums they'd choose if they were ever stranded like Gilligan, but with some vinyl and a killer stereo. And electricity, of … Continue reading That time I asked Joe Satriani to pick five “desert islands discs” and he went 80 percent Hendrix
That time I asked 24-year-old Bruce Dickinson why Maiden had replaced Clive Burr with new drummer Nicko McBrain
By Steve Newton I've seen Iron Maiden in concert most every time they've played Vancouver since 1982, the year I interviewed original drummer Clive Burr, who sadly succumbed to multiple sclerosis in 2013 at the age of 56. In '83 I did another Maiden interview, this time with singer Bruce Dickinson, before the band played Vancouver … Continue reading That time I asked 24-year-old Bruce Dickinson why Maiden had replaced Clive Burr with new drummer Nicko McBrain
Outraged guitar freak defends Yngwie Malmsteen and rips the s*** out of my Generation Axe review
By Steve Newton Some guy named Fretfire did not totally agree with my review of the Generation Axe show in Vancouver the other night. Here’s his comment: Pathetic, Steve. I thought you were cooler than this, especially since you recently posted the interview: “Uli Jon Roth calls Yngwie Malmsteen “one of the alltime greats”, but says he’s … Continue reading Outraged guitar freak defends Yngwie Malmsteen and rips the s*** out of my Generation Axe review
Newt’s Rock Hall inducts UFO, Robin Trower, Blue Öyster Cult, Mott the Hoople, and Ten Years After
By Steve Newton Tonight the much-maligned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame officially inducts Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, Chicago, and, unbelievably, legendary rock 'n' rollers N.W.A. Now, this is better work than you commonly expect from the RRHOF, which, back in 2013, had the audacity to induct Cat Stevens instead of fellow nominee Link … Continue reading Newt’s Rock Hall inducts UFO, Robin Trower, Blue Öyster Cult, Mott the Hoople, and Ten Years After
Generation Axe in Vancouver: 2.5 million notes and no wanking (except for Yngwie)
By Steve Newton Went to see the Generation Axe show in Vancouver last night--featuring Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tosin Abasi--and, as expected, there were a lotta notes. But the term "wanking" didn't come to mind that often, surprisingly--and usually only when flashmaster Malmsteen was practicing his scales at breakneck speed. … Continue reading Generation Axe in Vancouver: 2.5 million notes and no wanking (except for Yngwie)
That time Roger Glover told me that Deep Purple’s Mark II lineup was offered $2 million to reunite for one show
By Steve Newton Back in the spring of '85, before the reunited Mark II lineup of Deep Purple played Vancouver on its Perfect Strangers Tour, I interviewed Purple bassist Roger Glover. At one point in the conversation I asked him why it took so long for the Mark II lineup to reunite, which led to … Continue reading That time Roger Glover told me that Deep Purple’s Mark II lineup was offered $2 million to reunite for one show
Bruce Dickinson in ’83: “It would be unthinkable to make an Iron Maiden album without Martin Birch”
By Steve Newton Back in June of 1983 I did a phone interview with Bruce Dickinson in advance of Iron Maiden's show in Vancouver on the Piece of Mind tour. During the course of our conversation Dickinson claimed that it would be "unthinkable" for Iron Maiden to make an album without producer Martin Birch, who … Continue reading Bruce Dickinson in ’83: “It would be unthinkable to make an Iron Maiden album without Martin Birch”
Rudy Sarzo talks Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads while Quiet Riot storms the charts
By Steve Newton One day back in the summer of '83 I stopped by the Vancouver offices of CBS Records and did an interview with Rudy Sarzo, who was one of the top hard rock/metal bassists around at the time. Sarzo was in town promoting Metal Health, the new release from his band Quiet Riot, which … Continue reading Rudy Sarzo talks Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads while Quiet Riot storms the charts
That time Stevie Ray Vaughan sang me a couple of lines from one of Jimi Hendrix’s fave tunes
By Steve Newton Since 1982 I've been chatting with famous rock stars and collecting the interviews on cheap cassette tapes. Even now I refuse to use a digital recording device, as most of my more intrepid colleagues do. Like Joe Walsh, I'm an analog man, I guess. Lucky for me, most of those ancient cassettes … Continue reading That time Stevie Ray Vaughan sang me a couple of lines from one of Jimi Hendrix’s fave tunes
Lars Ulrich picks Metallica’s fave bands in 1985, gives personal shout-out to Deep Purple
By Steve Newton Ha! Here's a good one! Today I was digitizing my very first Metallica interview--which I did with Lars Ulrich back in March of '85. At one point during our 20-minute chat I asked the 21-year-old skinbasher what his group's favourite bands were--and was pleasantly surprised to hear that the list included Kate … Continue reading Lars Ulrich picks Metallica’s fave bands in 1985, gives personal shout-out to Deep Purple
Tim Curry talks Pennywise on the set of Stephen King’s It: an Ear of Newt audio exclusive
By Steve Newton Tim Curry's performance as Pennywise, the evil clown in Stephen King's It, has long been hailed as a major achievement in the realm of horror. Curry nailed it, most would agree. As the Vancouver correspondent for Fangoria magazine back in 1990, when the TV miniseries was shot, I got to go on … Continue reading Tim Curry talks Pennywise on the set of Stephen King’s It: an Ear of Newt audio exclusive
Newt’s hopes of a second shot at Slash’s JD stash fade with Guns N’ Roses tour news
By Steve Newton "Rock and roll's a loser's game," Ian Hunter once sang, and today I get what he was talkin' about in that line from "The Ballad of Mott the Hoople". A few hours ago Guns N' Roses announced 21 cities on its forthcoming summer tour, but my town--Vancouver--wasn't on the list. So I … Continue reading Newt’s hopes of a second shot at Slash’s JD stash fade with Guns N’ Roses tour news
That time Donald “Duck” Dunn told me about working with Eric Clapton and John “the Godfather” Belushi
By Steve Newton Back in 1985 Eric Clapton played a show in Vancouver, but he wasn't doing any interviews with the likes of me. I was happy as hell just to chat with bass-guitar legend Donald "Duck" Dunn, who you may recall for his work with Booker T & the MG's. During the course of our … Continue reading That time Donald “Duck” Dunn told me about working with Eric Clapton and John “the Godfather” Belushi