ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 21, 1983 By Steve Newton "Yeah, we're loud alright," says Tom Hamilton, bassist for American supergroup Aerosmith. "We're definitely not any quieter than we used to be--we're just better sounding." Aerosmith has never been known for quietness or subtlety. Theirs is not the kind of music for … Continue reading Tom Hamilton talks Aerosmith without Joe Perry and the new Rock in a Hard Place
J.J. Cale, 2009: “I’m ridin’ on the bus, so talk real loud.”
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT, COM, JULY 29, 2013 By Steve Newton If you're a music fan you've probably already heard that legendary songwriter J.J. Cale died of a heart attack last Friday (July 26) at the age of 74. He's the guy whose deathless blues-roots songs have been interpreted by countless artists over the years. … Continue reading J.J. Cale, 2009: “I’m ridin’ on the bus, so talk real loud.”
Ozzy Osbourne in ’82: fallen guitar heroes and bitten bats
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 11, 1982 By Steve Newton Over the years, few heavy metal frontmen have proven their stamina and staying power like Ozzy Osbourne. After eight years and eight albums with the legendary Black Sabbath, Osbourne left the group in 1979 and it looked as though he was hanging up his microphone and … Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne in ’82: fallen guitar heroes and bitten bats
My first and last interview with guitar hero Ronnie Montrose
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 4, 2012 By Steve Newton It may seem kinda crazy to stay up all night transcribing a phone interview I did with Ronnie Montrose 14 years ago, but the news of his death yesterday hit me pretty hard. He was such a wonderful and underrated player that I feel it's almost … Continue reading My first and last interview with guitar hero Ronnie Montrose
My first and last interview with fallen guitar hero Gary Moore
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 13, 2011 By Steve Newton It was exactly one week ago today that the awful news started to get around: Irish guitar legend Gary Moore had been found dead in a Spanish hotel room. A post-mortem the next day revealed that the 58-year-old rocker had passed away in his sleep, due … Continue reading My first and last interview with fallen guitar hero Gary Moore
Joanne Shaw Taylor says playing the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was both terrifying and wonderful
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 28, 2013 By Steve Newton It’s always cool when the inspired playing of an up-and-coming blues guitarist gets showcased by a verified rock superstar. You may recall how it happened three decades ago when the captivating fretwork of a 29-year-old Stevie Ray Vaughan lit up David Bowie’s poppy megahits “China … Continue reading Joanne Shaw Taylor says playing the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was both terrifying and wonderful
That time Joe Bonamassa told me to give Jann Wenner a good bashing
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 14, 2011 By Steve Newton When blues-guitar great Hubert Sumlin passed away on December 4 at the age of 80, it didn’t take long for the condolences and accolades to hit cyberspace. Within hours, ace picker Joe Bonamassa had tweeted his heartfelt sentiments, saying what a huge effect the “extraordinary” … Continue reading That time Joe Bonamassa told me to give Jann Wenner a good bashing
Buddy Guy lets Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks get their licks in on stellar Skin Deep
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 2008 By Steve Newton When Buddy Guy calls from Las Vegas at 7 on a Saturday morning, the sleep-deprived interviewer on the receiving end is still waiting for the coffee to kick in. But the 72-year-old Guy has already been up for hours. "Oh man, I was born and raised … Continue reading Buddy Guy lets Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks get their licks in on stellar Skin Deep