ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 11, 2015 By Steve Newton Will M. Night Shyamalan ever clue in? Just because there's a twist in a movie doesn't mean the movie's any good. Sure, he won us all over with that gotcha moment in The Sixth Sense back in 1999, but by the time of The Village, five years later, … Continue reading The Visit drives a nail in the coffin of the found-footage format–with a twist!
The ferocious fire of Eddie Van Halen lights up early soundboard recording
By Steve Newton Well, hey--good things come in pairs, I suppose. No sooner had I finished blogging about the possibility of the Foo Fighters playing some Van Halen in Vancouver tomorrow than I came across this newly uploaded video of VH performing the Kinks' "All Day and All Of the Night" live at the Pasadena Civic … Continue reading The ferocious fire of Eddie Van Halen lights up early soundboard recording
Will the Foo Fighters blast out some old-school Van Halen riffs in Vancouver?
By Steve Newton The Foo Fighters have been paying respects to some fine classic-rock acts on their current tour. During their last gig, in Scotland on Tuesday, the Seattle guitar-rockers played snippets of Van Halen's "Eruption", Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust", and Big Country's "In a Big Country" during the band introduction. And two days earlier … Continue reading Will the Foo Fighters blast out some old-school Van Halen riffs in Vancouver?
Long John Baldry on Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, and not wanting to be known as The King of Rock and Roll
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 13, 1985 By Steve Newton Long John Baldry is a giant among British blues-rockers--and that's not only because he stands 6 feet 7-1/2 inches tall. In his 26-year career the singer has played with stars such as Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, and Elton John, among many others, and performed on over … Continue reading Long John Baldry on Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, and not wanting to be known as The King of Rock and Roll
Cold Chain revives the spirit of ’75 at the Chilliwack Senior High 40-year reunion
By Steve Newton Back in January I blogged about the "major concert news" that my old buddy's cover band, Cold Chain, was gonna play the 40-year reunion for my Chilliwack Senior High School class of 1975. At the time I put a request in for what was probably my fave tune that year, Ian Hunter's … Continue reading Cold Chain revives the spirit of ’75 at the Chilliwack Senior High 40-year reunion
Why couldn’t my name have been foil-stamped on a Maiden album instead of Roger Hodgson?
Gather 'round kiddies and let ole Grandpa Newt tell tales of the long-ago days when the music industry was awash with cash.
Steve Earle’s marathon Vancouver show a winner despite a-hole sighting
photos by the Newt By Steve Newton Steve Earle was his typically cool and collected self during his marathon set at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver last night, but there was one moment when his calm demeanour got left backstage. Just before his encore one overly enthusiastic fan scampered up on the empty stage to grab … Continue reading Steve Earle’s marathon Vancouver show a winner despite a-hole sighting
Steve Earle might cover Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top in Vancouver, but either way, it’s all good
By Steve Newton Back in the day you didn't have easy access to what songs your fave touring performers might be playing when they made it to your town. I mean, even when Steve Earle played the Commodore in Vancouver 15 years ago you weren't sure he was gonna do "Copperhead Road" until you maybe heard that … Continue reading Steve Earle might cover Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top in Vancouver, but either way, it’s all good
Stevie Ray Vaughan tears it up in Vancouver, says “serious trouble indeed”
mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 1985 By Steve Newton Since he flew onto the international music scene in 1983, people have been raving on and on about Texas guitar wizard Stevie Ray Vaughan. After his startling shows at the Commodore last week (August 29 and 31), you can bet that local blues-rock … Continue reading Stevie Ray Vaughan tears it up in Vancouver, says “serious trouble indeed”
American Stars ‘n Bars: Lynyrd Skynyrd and the lure of the Confederate flag
By Steve Newton The Rebel flag. The Southern Cross. Stars and Bars. Whatever you call it, the battle flag of America's former Confederate states has been getting a lot of attention lately—most of it in the wake of last June's mass shooting of black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. Nine parishioners were killed by 21-year-old … Continue reading American Stars ‘n Bars: Lynyrd Skynyrd and the lure of the Confederate flag
Dear Iron Maiden: please play Vancouver on the Book of Souls World Tour –your old buddy, Newt
By Steve Newton The world's old-school headbangers got some great news the other day when British metal legends Iron Maiden announced that it would embark on a global tour in 2016 that is set to visit 35 countries in six continents. "Details of the precise schedule are currently being finalised," said the band on its website, … Continue reading Dear Iron Maiden: please play Vancouver on the Book of Souls World Tour –your old buddy, Newt
Prairie fretmaster Jack Semple on teenage trauma, guitar contests, and watching Tommy Emmanuel like a hawk
By Steve Newton They say you can judge a man by the company he keeps, so Saskatchewan guitar wizard Jack Semple was on the right track when he tweeted a photo of himself seated alongside guitarists Vinny Raniolo, Tommy Emmanuel, and Frank Vignola. Taken in Louisiana this past June at Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Camp USA, … Continue reading Prairie fretmaster Jack Semple on teenage trauma, guitar contests, and watching Tommy Emmanuel like a hawk
My first interview with Stevie Ray Vaughan, when he sang me three lines of an Earl King song
Texas blues guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan was in Vancouver last Saturday, for two sold out shows at the Commodore Ballroom.