ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 1987 By Steve Newton There are a lot of rock and roll superstars that today's average rock fan never had the opportunity to see live, either due to drug overdoses (Hendrix, Tommy Bolin), car crashes (Marc Bolan), plane crashes (Ronnie Van Zandt, Randy Rhoads), or other tragedies. Then … Continue reading Alvin Lee’s guitar heroics keep the spirit of Ten Years After alive in Vancouver
Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr dies at 56
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 13, 2013 It's a gloomy day for metal fans, as former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr--who has been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for many years--died in his sleep last night. Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979, after a stint in Samson, which also featured Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson on … Continue reading Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr dies at 56
Wishbone Ash leaves Vancouver guitar freaks in ’70s prog-rock heaven
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 20, 2013 Wishbone Ash cofounder Andy Powell brought his current version of the '70s prog-rock band to Venue last night, and Vancouver's 45-and-over crowd was gleefully transported back to the heyday of flared jeans, eight-tracks, lemon gin--and a deathless double-album called Argus. The lineup of singer-guitarist Powell, guitarist Muddy Manninen, bassist … Continue reading Wishbone Ash leaves Vancouver guitar freaks in ’70s prog-rock heaven
Bob Seger has all the Night Moves in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 28, 2013 By Steve Newton At the aftershow party following Bob Seger's near sell-out gig at Rogers Arena last night (March 27), his longtime saxophonist Alto Reed--best known for the stirring intro to "Turn the Page" and the party-hearty solo on "Old Time Rock and Roll"--was asked about Seger's recent … Continue reading Bob Seger has all the Night Moves in Vancouver
Taj Mahal wasn’t so much shocked as pissed off by Jesse Ed Davis’s death
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, APRIL 24, 2013 By Steve Newton When music legend Taj Mahal calls from a tour stop in Phoenix, it’s been just a few days since he played Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York. He’d been asked to play the event before, and never had the … Continue reading Taj Mahal wasn’t so much shocked as pissed off by Jesse Ed Davis’s death
You can’t believe everything you read in a girlie magazine
photo by rebecca blissett ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 20, 2013 By Steve Newton "I don't believe Fleetwood Mac will ever tour again," drummer Mick Fleetwood told Playboy last year, dashing the concert hopes of diehard '70s soft-rock fans everywhere. But as seen as Rogers Arena last night, you can't believe everything you read in … Continue reading You can’t believe everything you read in a girlie magazine
Blue Öyster Cult: “The world’s biggest underground band” (in 1982)
By Steve Newton One of the first interviews I ever did with a rock band I was totally nuts about happened way back in August of 1982. The mighty Blue Öyster Cult was playing Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum--with Aldo Nova opening up!--and the weekly paper I was still new at, the Georgia Straight, wanted me to … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult: “The world’s biggest underground band” (in 1982)
My one and only interview with bass legend Donald “Duck” Dunn
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton When legendary guitarist Eric Clapton steps before the Coliseum audience Saturday (July 27) he will be fronting a stellar group of musicians. Bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn is something of a legend himself among musicians, having played with Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T and the … Continue reading My one and only interview with bass legend Donald “Duck” Dunn
Bruce Dickinson on Martin Birch, the exit of Clive Burr, and the lobotomization of Eddie on Iron Maiden’s new album Piece of Mind
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 1, 1983 By Steve Newton Three of Britain's heaviest heavy-metal bands--Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Fastway--played the Pacific Coliseum last Wednesday in a full night's worth of brutal, gnashing raunch and roll. I spoke to Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson over the phone from Los Angeles prior to the show and asked … Continue reading Bruce Dickinson on Martin Birch, the exit of Clive Burr, and the lobotomization of Eddie on Iron Maiden’s new album Piece of Mind
Johnny Ramone says being in the Ramones “beats working”
By Steve Newton Whether you remember or not, May of 1983 was a great month for historic rock concerts in Vancouver. On May 9 Roxy Music played the Pacific Coliseum, performing tunes from its final studio album, Avalon. Then on the 25th a little band from Ireland named U2 played the Queen E., blasting out political … Continue reading Johnny Ramone says being in the Ramones “beats working”
The Blasters’ Phil Alvin on the roots of rock ‘n’ roll, racism, and thanking god for the Sex Pistols
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 3, 1983 By Steve Newton Touted by Cash Box magazine as "L.A.'s greatest rockabilly group", the Blasters blasted the Commodore Ballroom Thursday night with guests Wailin' Walker and the Houserockers. Comprised of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Phil Alvin, his younger brother Dave on lead guitar, drummer Bill Bateman, bassist John Bazz, and … Continue reading The Blasters’ Phil Alvin on the roots of rock ‘n’ roll, racism, and thanking god for the Sex Pistols
Nicolette Larson talks good friend Neil Young, current roommate Linda Ronstadt, and favourite songwriter Lowell George
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 4, 1983 By Steve Newton When Nicolette Larson released her first album, Nicolette, in 1978, she proved right from the start that her talents as an interpretive singer were vast and capable of taking her through many musical styles. On that album alone she wove a dreamy tapestry of songs by … Continue reading Nicolette Larson talks good friend Neil Young, current roommate Linda Ronstadt, and favourite songwriter Lowell George
Pat Travers in 1983: “I’m a good enough guitarist. We don’t need another one.”
By Steve Newton On January 21, 1983, Canadian rock-guitar hero Pat Travers played Vancouver, opening for a Joe Perry-less Aerosmith at the Pacific Coliseum. Ear of Newt was there, of course. There was no way I was gonna miss two of my fave acts from the '70s. Besides, it was a Friday night. I don't remember … Continue reading Pat Travers in 1983: “I’m a good enough guitarist. We don’t need another one.”