On January 26, 1986, I did my first interview with guitar legend Roy Buchanan, who was coming to Vancouver for a show at the Town Pump.
That time Ronnie James Dio told me a fib about Priest and Maiden contributing songs to Hear ‘n Aid
By Steve Newton On May 20 and 21, 1985, the charity project spearheaded by Ronnie James Dio, Hear 'n Aid, recorded its video/single "Stars" at A&M Studios in L.A. "Stars" was a one-time collaboration featuring an array of the biggest hard rock/heavy metal artists of the '80s. Contributing lead vocals on the track were Dio, … Continue reading That time Ronnie James Dio told me a fib about Priest and Maiden contributing songs to Hear ‘n Aid
That time Ronnie James Dio told me about the entity that tried to kill his wife during the recording of Rainbow’s Long Live Rock and Roll
By Steve Newton Back in 2016, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Rainbow Rising--one of the greatest metal albums of all time--I posted blogs with soundbites from interviews I did with former Rainbow members Ronnie James Dio (in 1985) and Tony Carey (in '84). The first one I did on Carey did not go … Continue reading That time Ronnie James Dio told me about the entity that tried to kill his wife during the recording of Rainbow’s Long Live Rock and Roll
That time Kate Bush told me about working with David Gilmour and experiencing the “profound” Pink Floyd
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 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 out … 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 ON 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 you were never … 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 ON 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 rockin' band. "The … Continue reading Jimmy Barnes goes solo with Canadian connection after Cold Chisel hits its peak