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
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”
Homegrown is a prime example of local musical talent that has been honed over the years to the point of performing excellence.
Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 7: Midnight Smoke says Chilliwack is a “gold mine” for a versatile band
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, MAY 6, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the seventh of a series of stories on local bands, The Progress presents a profile on Midnight Smoke. Next week: Homegrown) Midnight Smoke is a longtime Chilliwack band that is currently composed of Peter Priebe on bass and lead vocals, Ed Porter … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 7: Midnight Smoke says Chilliwack is a “gold mine” for a versatile band
That time I asked David Gilmour which Pink Floyd album was his personal favourite
By Steve Newton Back in May of 1984 I did my first (and so far, only) interview with legendary Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. Gilmour wasn't in Floyd at the time, though--he was doing press to promote his second solo album, About Face. But that didn't stop me from asking him if he missed Pink … Continue reading That time I asked David Gilmour which Pink Floyd album was his personal favourite
Pink Floyd to rerelease entire catalogue on vinyl; it’s time to replace that dog-eared Dark Side LP
By Steve Newton Sony Music has announced that this summer Pink Floyd will start rereleasing its entire catalogue on vinyl for the first time in over 20 years. Pink Floyd Records--manufactured and distributed by Warner Music in the UK and Europe and by Sony everywhere else--has set June 3 as the release date for the … Continue reading Pink Floyd to rerelease entire catalogue on vinyl; it’s time to replace that dog-eared Dark Side LP
That time Danny Gatton told me that he thought Lenny Breau was the biggest “Humbler” of all time
By Steve Newton Back in April of 1993 I called Danny Gatton up at his home in Washington, D.C., to interview him in advance of a show in Vancouver as part of Music West. When he picked up the phone he'd been busy cleaning out his garage, and told me that he'd come across a huge … Continue reading That time Danny Gatton told me that he thought Lenny Breau was the biggest “Humbler” of all time
Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 6: The Postcards say “school gets in the way of jamming”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, APRIL 29, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the sixth of a series of stories on local bands The Progress presents a profile of The Postcards. Next: Midnight Smoke.) The Postcards is a young rock and roll band made up of students from the Chilliwack and Sardis areas. Members of … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 6: The Postcards say “school gets in the way of jamming”