photos by "Honest" Todd Salive By Steve Newton “I’m not out to prove I’m the world’s greatest guitar player," Tommy Emmanuel told me back in 1994. But if that's the case, just what the hell did he think he was doing at the Vogue Theatre last night? The 59-year-old picker from Australia spent the majority … Continue reading The world’s greatest acoustic guitarist takes his fans over the rainbow in Vancouver
Horrific sound at Kerrisdale Arena makes Vancouver a town called malice for the Jam
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 11, 1982 By Steve Newton It looked like a scene from the Who film Quadrophenia outside the Kerrisdale Arena last Saturday night (June 5). Guys in trenchcoats and military-style jackets stood around with girls wearing button-clad and Union Jack emblazoned overcoats. Inside the Jam, hailed as "England's #1 … Continue reading Horrific sound at Kerrisdale Arena makes Vancouver a town called malice for the Jam
Fist takes Thunder in Rock (and keyboards!) on tour with Motörhead and Krokus
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 4, 1982 By Steve Newton Fist, a band made of up four Ottawa natives, is the Canadian entry in the international heavy metal 'package' tour that played Kerrisdale Arena last Friday (May 28) and is now in its third week of a gruelling road trip schedule. Along with … Continue reading Fist takes Thunder in Rock (and keyboards!) on tour with Motörhead and Krokus
Prairie Prince on “She’s a Beauty” and what sets the Tubes apart from the rest of the bands
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 5, 1983 By Steve Newton The Tubes will be opening for Peter Gabriel and David Bowie at this Tuesday's big concert in The Dome. I reached the band's drummer Prairie Prince over the phone in Toronto recently and asked him about their new album, current stage show, and … Continue reading Prairie Prince on “She’s a Beauty” and what sets the Tubes apart from the rest of the bands
Tommy Aldridge talks Black Oak Arkansas, Whitesnake, Ozzy, and the brilliance of Randy Rhoads
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 10, 1990 By Steve Newton After several years in the rock critic biz, it's easy for a writer to pick up the ONNTD syndrome. That's an affliction that occurs when you request an interview with a big-name band and the record company won't let you talk to the main member (usually … Continue reading Tommy Aldridge talks Black Oak Arkansas, Whitesnake, Ozzy, and the brilliance of Randy Rhoads
R.I.P. B.B. King: the nicest bluesman I ever met
By Steve Newton As you've most likely heard by now, B.B. King, the beloved "King of the Blues", passed away last night at the age of 89. He was receiving hospice care at his home in Las Vegas, where the longtime diabetic was recovering from dehydration. You can read all about the great man's numerous … Continue reading R.I.P. B.B. King: the nicest bluesman I ever met
The high-and-mighty Edge topples off the stage in Vancouver but, sorry haters, U2 is still a thing
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THEGUARDIAN.COM, MAY 15, 2015 By Steve Newton Near the very end of U2's show in Vancouver last night--during the fourth and final song of the encore, "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"--aptly named guitarist The Edge was strolling casually along the edge of the catwalk when he stepped out into thin … Continue reading The high-and-mighty Edge topples off the stage in Vancouver but, sorry haters, U2 is still a thing
Eddie Murphy plays Vancouver, so I party with his entourage till 5 a.m.
On May 11, 1985, Eddie Murphy played the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. This was exactly 12 days before he released "Party All the Time", which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is clearly one of the worst songs ever recorded. What bugs me most about this video--besides the music--is the shirt-button-challenged "rock" … Continue reading Eddie Murphy plays Vancouver, so I party with his entourage till 5 a.m.
Rudy Sarzo on playing with Randy Rhoads, life after Ozzy, and the return of Quiet Riot
Sarzo, far left, with Quiet Riot ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 5, 1983 By Steve Newton Formed in 1975 by Kevin DuBrow and the late Randy Rhoads (who died in a plane crash last year while a member of the Ozzy Osbourne band), Quiet Riot were one of the leading Los Angeles rock bands during the … Continue reading Rudy Sarzo on playing with Randy Rhoads, life after Ozzy, and the return of Quiet Riot
Red Rider releases Neruda, Tom Cochrane rails against “trendy bullshit”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 15, 1983 By Steve Newton Red Rider plays the Commodore Ballroom Tuesday, April 19. I spoke to the group's lead vocalist and songwriter Tom Cochrane over the phone from Toronto last Monday. I understand your group had a bus accident in the Rocky Mountains not long ago. Well we lost … Continue reading Red Rider releases Neruda, Tom Cochrane rails against “trendy bullshit”
Jim Byrnes on the Vancouver blues scene in ’85 and his idol Magic Sam
By Steve Newton On May 6, 1985, Vancouver blues legend Jim Byrnes was in the midst of a week-long stint at a nightclub in the West End. That's no big whoop as far as Vancouver music history goes, but considering how much Byrnes has contributed to the city's blues scene since then, I figured it … Continue reading Jim Byrnes on the Vancouver blues scene in ’85 and his idol Magic Sam
Sooner or later it all gets real for Neil Young’s 26-year-old guitarist Lukas Nelson
By Steve Newton Willie Nelson celebrated his 82nd birthday on April 29, so when his son Lukas calls for an interview the next day, the first question has to be “So how was the party last night?” “It wasn’t much of a party,” he replies. “We just played poker, and a little golf.” If copious … Continue reading Sooner or later it all gets real for Neil Young’s 26-year-old guitarist Lukas Nelson
Joe Bonamassa says “I’m not a full-time rock ‘n’ roll guy. I like blues.”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 7, 2015 By Steve Newton For his latest album, American guitar hero Joe Bonamassa came up with one helluva great idea. Or at least his producer, Kevin Shirley, did. The plan was to record a one-off concert dedicated to the music of blues legends Muddy Waters and Howlin’ … Continue reading Joe Bonamassa says “I’m not a full-time rock ‘n’ roll guy. I like blues.”