That time J.D. Fortune told me about the pressure of competing in the reality show Rock Star: INXS

By Steve Newton I interviewed INXS vocalist J.D. Fortune in January of 2006, two weeks before the band kicked off a North American Tour in Vancouver. The Canadian singer had earned the frontman position with the Aussie group the year before by winning the 11-week reality-TV competition Rock Star: INXS. So at one point in … Continue reading That time J.D. Fortune told me about the pressure of competing in the reality show Rock Star: INXS

That time David Lee Roth told me that a reunion with Van Halen was possible as long as he could “bang that high note like a freebie from a Vegas call girl”

By Steve Newton Back in June of 2003 I did my second interview with David Lee Roth. At the time he was touring behind his most recent solo album, Diamond Dave, but of course I had to ask him about the possibility of getting back together with Van Halen, which had been on hiatus for … Continue reading That time David Lee Roth told me that a reunion with Van Halen was possible as long as he could “bang that high note like a freebie from a Vegas call girl”

That time I asked Gregg Allman how it was different touring solo than with the Allman Brothers

By Steve Newton I did my only interview with Gregg Allman on February 5, 1998. The legendary Allman Brothers Band singer, keyboardist, and occasional guitarist was 50 years old, and was touring behind his sixth solo album, Searching for Simplicity. At one point in the conversation I asked him how it was different touring as … Continue reading That time I asked Gregg Allman how it was different touring solo than with the Allman Brothers

James Ingram on backing up Ray Charles, working with Quincy Jones, and his new hit single “Yah Mo B There”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 23, 1983 By Steve Newton In 1981 Quincy Jones’ album The Dude received a record 12 Grammy nominations and became one of the most consistently impressive LPs ever made. The singer on three of The Dude‘s tunes–the funky title track and romantic ballads “Just Once” and “One Hundred Years”–was a fellow … Continue reading James Ingram on backing up Ray Charles, working with Quincy Jones, and his new hit single “Yah Mo B There”

Steve Miller’s first guitar teachers were Les Paul and T-Bone Walker

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 23, 2022 By Steve Newton As a youngster, Steve Miller had the best guitar teachers you could ever ask for. I mean, Les Paul and T-Bone Walker? Are you kidding? That must have been like the ultimate fairy tale for a music-loving kid in the 20th century. “I grew up in … Continue reading Steve Miller’s first guitar teachers were Les Paul and T-Bone Walker

That time Fernando von Arb called and told me that Krokus was kicking Sammy Hagar’s ass on tour

By Steve Newton If you’re old like me you may remember Swiss metal band Krokus for that early-’80s tune “Long Stick Goes Boom” and for the fact that they sounded a lot like AC/DC. I interviewed guitarist Fernando von Arb on November 12, 1984, three months after the release of the group’s Vancouver-made, Bruce Fairbairn-produced … Continue reading That time Fernando von Arb called and told me that Krokus was kicking Sammy Hagar’s ass on tour

Spandau Ballet shun rock ‘n’ roll, embrace soul to strike gold with new album True

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 18, 1983 By Steve Newton Spandau Ballet are an immensely popular British band whose third album True is currently at the number 8 position on the Georgia Straight Top 50. Last week, before their Tuesday performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, I called drummer John Keeble in London … Continue reading Spandau Ballet shun rock ‘n’ roll, embrace soul to strike gold with new album True

That time B.B. King told me how playing guitar was like telling the truth

bev davies photo By Steve Newton I’ve been very fortunate to have interviewed several legendary bluesmen over the last 40 years, guys like Albert King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Roy Buchanan, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. But the very first legendary bluesman I ever interviewed was B.B. King. In January of 1984 he was playing a … Continue reading That time B.B. King told me how playing guitar was like telling the truth

Chris de Burgh on the making of his new Getaway album and its eerie hit “Don’t Pay the Ferryman”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 22, 1983 By Steve Newton His ability to tell captivating stories and to combine lyrical and musical nuances with easy effectiveness is what sets Ireland’s Chris de Burgh apart from a lot of today’s pop singer-songwriters. On his latest album, The Getaway, De burgh weaves enchanting tales of destiny, revolt, peace, … Continue reading Chris de Burgh on the making of his new Getaway album and its eerie hit “Don’t Pay the Ferryman”

Steve Negus on the rise of drum technology, crazy shows in Puerto Rico, and Saga’s new Heads or Tales

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 2, 1983 By Steve Newton “Actually, I never really sat in a room and practiced,” claims Saga’s highly-touted drummer Steve Negus. “I always thought that the best way to learn how to play was to go out and play. So in my early days, all through high school, I used to … Continue reading Steve Negus on the rise of drum technology, crazy shows in Puerto Rico, and Saga’s new Heads or Tales

That time Long John Baldry told me that he inspired Eric Clapton to take up guitar

By Steve Newton Long John Baldry had a huge influence on the British blues scene in the sixties. In fact, when I interviewed Baldry back in 1985, he confirmed that none other than Slowhand himself was urged to take up the guitar after seeing him perform. Have a listen: To hear the full audio of … Continue reading That time Long John Baldry told me that he inspired Eric Clapton to take up guitar

That time Robin Gibb told me that the Bee Gees had never been a disco group

By Steve Newton Back in the ’70s when rock music was having a huge impact on me I was rabidly anti-disco. I didn’t go so far as to wear a “Disco Sucks” t-shirt like one of my high school buddies, but I was with him in spirit. But in 1977, when the blockbuster Saturday Night … Continue reading That time Robin Gibb told me that the Bee Gees had never been a disco group

That time I asked Doyle Bramhall II if he was excited about playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section in Arc Angels

By Steve Newton Back in May of 1992 I sat down at a Vancouver restaurant with Doyle Bramhall II and Charlie Sexton of Arc Angels. They were both 23 at the time. One month earlier the band had released its self-titled debut album, which I thought was pretty freakin’ cool–partly because it featured Stevie Ray … Continue reading That time I asked Doyle Bramhall II if he was excited about playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section in Arc Angels