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
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 late seventies. Boasting dynamic live performances … 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”
I spoke to Red Rider's lead vocalist and songwriter Tom Cochrane over the phone from Toronto in advance of the band's Vancouver concert.
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
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 6, 2015 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,” replies the 26-year-old. “We just played … 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 ON 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’ Wolf, and the … Continue reading Joe Bonamassa says “I’m not a full-time rock ‘n’ roll guy. I like blues.”
Former Elf and Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber dies of prostate cancer at 63
Rainbow 1975, L-R: Soule, Dio, Gruber, Blackmore, Driscoll By Steve Newton Craig Gruber, former bassist for '70s rock acts Elf and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, passed away yesterday after a battle with prostate cancer. News of Gruber's passing was posted on the Facebook page of his former Elf bandmate, keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule: Very sad to hear of … Continue reading Former Elf and Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber dies of prostate cancer at 63
Nitevigil’s leather-clad teens put North Van on the metal map at the New York Theatre
nitevigil photo by bev davies ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 3, 1985 By Steve Newton North Vancouver's Nitevigil--the teenage metal band that made the finals of the Town Pump's Spotlight '85 competition--joined Ground Zero and Death Sentence in a "Heavy Metal Rockarama" at the New York Theatre last Friday (April 26). The young headbangers displayed the … Continue reading Nitevigil’s leather-clad teens put North Van on the metal map at the New York Theatre
Neil Young’s new guitarist calls On the Beach and Tonight’s the Night his all-time Shakey faves
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Lukas Nelson last week--in advance of the gig with his band Promise of the Real in Vancouver this Saturday--we talked a lot about Neil Young. And not just 'cause we both love him. Nelson played guitar on Shakey's upcoming album, The Monsanto Years, and POTR may well be Young's next touring … Continue reading Neil Young’s new guitarist calls On the Beach and Tonight’s the Night his all-time Shakey faves
Kick Axe feels that if you can make metal work in Vancouver, you can make it work anywhere
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 15, 1983 By Steve Newton "If people can look at a band," says Kick Axe guitarist Larry Gillstrom, "and see that everybody's coming from the same direction and are together on it, then I think they can relate to it a lot better. At least that's what we noticed when we … Continue reading Kick Axe feels that if you can make metal work in Vancouver, you can make it work anywhere
Streetheart’s prairie-rock dreams “Comin’ True” on Dancing With Danger
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 18, 1983 By Steve Newton Touring to promote their latest album Dancing with Danger, prairie-rockers Streetheart will headline this Monday's (February 21) triple-threat rock showcase at the Pacific Coliseum. Kilowatt and Vancouver's own Headpins will also perform at the event. Last year Streetheart earned a Canadian platinum award for their self-titled … Continue reading Streetheart’s prairie-rock dreams “Comin’ True” on Dancing With Danger