photo by the Newt ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 2012 By Steve Newton When Roger Waters brought Pink Floyd's The Wall to Rogers Arena in December 2010, he delivered nothing short of a prog-rock spectacle for the ages. His mastery of live sound, lighting technique, state-of-the-art video, and immense staging combined to bring that monumental 1979 concept album's … Continue reading Roger Waters returns to Vancouver and makes The Wall his biggest ever
Nick Tweed-Simmons swears he’ll never follow in his father’s musical footsteps
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 30, 2012 By Steve Newton How hard would it be to be Nick Tweed-Simmons, son of rock legend Gene Simmons and former Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed? Well, financially, it wouldn’t be hard at all. Anyone who’s seen the reality-TV show he costars in—Gene Simmons Family Jewels—knows that they’re doin’ all right in … Continue reading Nick Tweed-Simmons swears he’ll never follow in his father’s musical footsteps
Chickenfoot helps Vancouver forget all about Van Halen
photo by rebecca blissett ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 6, 2012 By Steve Newton Chickenfoot vs. Van Halen: now there's a rivalry for ya. There's never been much love lost between those bands' respective singers, Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. Then there's the fact that Chickenfoot's bassist, Michael Anthony, lost his cherished spot in … Continue reading Chickenfoot helps Vancouver forget all about Van Halen
Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 9, 2012 By Steve Newton American songwriting legend Steve Earle played Coquitlam's Red Robinson Show Theatre last night, and--as always--took no prisoners as far as his political beliefs are concerned. One of the many highlights of the solo acoustic show was the performance of "Little Emperor", a song off Earle's latest … Continue reading Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam
Duane Allman’s slide was one of the first sounds Derek Trucks remembers
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 13, 2012 By Steve Newton Derek Trucks might not be the most recognizable name in the world as far as guitar heroes go, but the 33-year-old picker in the Tedeschi Trucks Band is doing all right lately in the accolade department. His group’s debut album, Revelator, won a Grammy this year … Continue reading Duane Allman’s slide was one of the first sounds Derek Trucks remembers
Legendary rock keyboardist Jon Lord of Deep Purple fame dies at 71
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 16, 2012 Sad news out of England. Classicrockmagazine.com just reported that legendary keyboardist Jon Lord of Deep Purple fame passed away in London today (July 16), after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 71 years old. Anyone who's listened to rock music since the late '60s has no doubt heard … Continue reading Legendary rock keyboardist Jon Lord of Deep Purple fame dies at 71
My first and last interview with Ray Manzarek of the Doors
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 21, 2013 By Steve Newton If you're a fan of old rock music you've probably already heard that Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for legendary American band the Doors, died yesterday--May 20, 2013--from cancer at the age of 74. I wasn't a hardcore Doors freak, but I did enjoy a lot of their … Continue reading My first and last interview with Ray Manzarek of the Doors
Buddy Guy brings fiery Chicago blues to Coquitlam, but can’t outshine opener Jonny Lang
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 29, 2012 Blues legend Buddy Guy brought a taste of Chicago to the wilds of Coquitlam last night (September 28), but the verifiable guitar legend was outshone by a "kid" 45 years younger than himself. Jonny Lang opened the show with an hour-long set that included a showstopping version of … Continue reading Buddy Guy brings fiery Chicago blues to Coquitlam, but can’t outshine opener Jonny Lang
Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray goes into his own little world on stage
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 25, 2012 By Steve Newton It was 30 years ago this month that Iron Maiden played its first-ever concert in Vancouver, sharing the Pacific Coliseum stage with Scorpions on July 21, 1982. The lineup hasn’t changed much since then—four of the iconic metal act’s six members from ’82 are currently … Continue reading Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray goes into his own little world on stage
Where were you in ’82? Rockin’ with Blue Öyster Cult & Aldo Nova too?
By Steve Newton On August 22, 1982, I was at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum watching my hard-rock heroes from the States, Blue Öyster Cult, kick butt on a bill with Canadian one-hit-wonder Aldo Nova. How do I remember the precise date of that ancient gig, you ask? Well, it's not like I still have the ticket … Continue reading Where were you in ’82? Rockin’ with Blue Öyster Cult & Aldo Nova too?
Metallica’s lateness redeemed by sheer metal greatness in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 25, 2012 By Steve Newton Metallica put on a stunning show at Rogers Arena last night (August 24), but, man, did it ever take them a while to get going. The L.A. metal legends—who play the same venue tonight (August 25) and again on Monday (at a special $5-per-ticket film … Continue reading Metallica’s lateness redeemed by sheer metal greatness in Vancouver
Joe Walsh brings regular-guy charm and killer James Gang riffs to Coquitlam
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 8, 2012 American rock great Joe Walsh played Coquitlam's Red Robinson Show Theatre last night (September 7), and pretty well packed the place. Judging by the rabid response it got, the vast majority of the crowd of mostly 40- and 50-somethings were hoping to hell he'd play the 1970 James … Continue reading Joe Walsh brings regular-guy charm and killer James Gang riffs to Coquitlam
Writing songs saved his life, says Patterson Hood
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 26, 2012 By Steve Newton When he was 27 years old, Patterson Hood went through the most turbulent period of his life. His band broke up, he got divorced, and he had a falling out with his family, who he had been extremely close to. As he explains in the … Continue reading Writing songs saved his life, says Patterson Hood