That time Men Without Hats’ Ivan Doroschuk told me about making the video for “Safety Dance”

By Steve Newton I interviewed Men Without Hats singer and main songwriter Ivan Doroschuk in 1984, the year after the band’s second single, “The Safety Dance”, became a worldwide hit. I was just about to write that the band was a one-hit wonder, but then I remembered they had another hit called “Pop Goes the … Continue reading That time Men Without Hats’ Ivan Doroschuk told me about making the video for “Safety Dance”

That time Judas Priest’s Glenn Tipton told me that Rory Gallagher was the guy who made him pick up a guitar

By Steve Newton Back in 2005 I did my first interview with Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton, who I’d been a fan of ever since I heard him wailin’ away with KK on the Screaming for Vengeance album of ’82. After asking him what his fave Priest albums were, and which of his solos he … Continue reading That time Judas Priest’s Glenn Tipton told me that Rory Gallagher was the guy who made him pick up a guitar

That time Roger Glover told me that he was “disgusted” when he saw Deep Purple with Tommy Bolin

By Steve Newton I was 18 years old when Deep Purple released the album Come Taste the Band, so being a huge fan of the band since Fireball, I bought it. It took me a while to get into it–it didn’t have the immediacy of a Machine Head or Burn–but eventually I grew very fond … Continue reading That time Roger Glover told me that he was “disgusted” when he saw Deep Purple with Tommy Bolin

That time Allan Holdsworth told me that a lotta people love the things that he hates…like his old band U.K.

By Steve Newton I’d been wondering which of my hundreds of old interviews I should digitize next when I realized that the one with guitar legend Allan Holdsworth from 1983 should take precedence, because apparently cassette tapes don’t last forever and can deteriorate. Luckily the damn thing still works. Thank you Maxell. When I did … Continue reading That time Allan Holdsworth told me that a lotta people love the things that he hates…like his old band U.K.

That time Jason Bonham told me that his famous father in Led Zeppelin was “just dad to me”

By Steve Newton When I did my first interview with Jason Bonham back in 1989, I asked him what it was like growing up with a father who was world-famous for being the drummer in Led Zeppelin. Turns out it wasn’t that big of a deal to him. Have a listen: To hear the full … Continue reading That time Jason Bonham told me that his famous father in Led Zeppelin was “just dad to me”

That time Ace Frehley told me that deep down inside Gene Simmons was a teddy bear

By Steve Newton When it comes to legendary rocker Gene Simmons, you either love him or hate him. Some say he’s an arrogant, money-hungry, womanizing prick; others say that he’s a legendary rocker, so who cares. When I got the opportunity to interview Simmons’ former Kiss bandmate Ace Frehley back in 2008 I asked him … Continue reading That time Ace Frehley told me that deep down inside Gene Simmons was a teddy bear

That time Jack Blades told me about the different playing styles of Night Ranger guitarists Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson

By Steve Newton Back in January of 1984 I interviewed Night Ranger vocalist-bassist Jack Blades while his band was accompanying ZZ Top on its Eliminator Tour. I wasn’t the biggest Night Ranger fan in the world back then. In the midst of the hard rock/metal craze I was more into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and … Continue reading That time Jack Blades told me about the different playing styles of Night Ranger guitarists Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson

That time Stevie Ray Vaughan told me how incredibly awesome John Hammond was

By Steve Newton When I interviewed Stevie Ray Vaughan for the second and last time, in July of 1990, he was still touring behind his fourth studio album, In Step. At one point in the conversation I mentioned that the album was dedicated to John Hammond–the famed American record producer, civil rights activist, and music … Continue reading That time Stevie Ray Vaughan told me how incredibly awesome John Hammond was

Powerage is the only AC/DC album better than Back in Black

steve newton photo By Steve Newton There was a lotta fuss being made in the rock-music world back on July 25, 2020, when AC/DC‘s Back in Black celebrated its 40th anniversary. But where was all the commotion on June 19, 2018, when Powerage hit the Big Four-Oh? Now that was cause for celebration! Don’t get … Continue reading Powerage is the only AC/DC album better than Back in Black

That time Colin James told me that playing electric slide-guitar was a challenge for him

By Steve Newton Back in August of 1995 I interviewed Canadian blues-rocker Colin James, who I’d been a fan of since his self-titled 1988 debut album. At the time he was touring behind his fourth album, Bad Habits, which saw him playing quite a bit of slide guitar on tunes like “Real Stuff” and “Walkin’ … Continue reading That time Colin James told me that playing electric slide-guitar was a challenge for him

If Joe Bonamassa had his way, Rory Gallagher, Paul Kossoff, and Danny Gatton would all be in the Rock Hall

By Steve Newton The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for its class of 2020 was broadcast on HBO last weekend. I didn’t watch it. Nothing against inductees like T-Rex and the Doobie Brothers, but when somebody like Whitney Houston gets the nod over 2020 nominees like Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest, I … Continue reading If Joe Bonamassa had his way, Rory Gallagher, Paul Kossoff, and Danny Gatton would all be in the Rock Hall

That time I asked Billy Gibbons if he’d play “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” for me in Vancouver

By Steve Newton Just finished watching that ZZ Top documentary on Netflix, That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, and it was pretty cool. I especially liked the way it focused on their formation and early albums, ’cause 1973’s Tres Hombres has always been my fave. At one point in the movie the band rips into … Continue reading That time I asked Billy Gibbons if he’d play “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” for me in Vancouver

That time I told Randy Bachman that my fave Guess Who song was “Undun”

By Steve Newton Everybody has their favourite Guess Who tune, I reckon. Some go for the riff-driven rocker “American Woman”. Others might appreciate the piano-based ballad “These Eyes”. Me, I’m an “Undun” kinda guy. When I interviewed Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman back in 2001 I told him that his jazz-tinged 1969 B-side was tops … Continue reading That time I told Randy Bachman that my fave Guess Who song was “Undun”