That time Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes told me who his biggest influences were on slide

By Steve Newton Oh man, I freakin’ love the sound of slide guitar. And I especially love it when it’s being created by somebody like Warren Haynes. In case you didn’t know, Haynes is the player who took over the slide duties when the Allman Brothers reunited back in 1989. I did my first interview … Continue reading That time Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes told me who his biggest influences were on slide

That time Peter Frampton told me that he and David Bowie used to jam at school as kids

By Steve Newton Back in August of ’87 I interviewed Peter Frampton in a Vancouver hotel room. At the time he was playing guitar with David Bowie on the Glass Spider tour, in support of Bowie’s Never Let Me Down album, which he also played on. So of course I started the conversation off by … Continue reading That time Peter Frampton told me that he and David Bowie used to jam at school as kids

That time I asked Warren Haynes how long he thought the Allman Brothers might stay together

By Steve Newton I wouldn’t say that the Allman Brothers were as great, back in 1994, as they were when Duane was in the band, but holy crap were they still a smokin’ hot band! A lot of that smoke was conjured up by Warren Haynes, who Dickey Betts brought with him when the band … Continue reading That time I asked Warren Haynes how long he thought the Allman Brothers might stay together

That time I asked Jeff Healey about his 1989 Grammy nomination and he told me that Jimmy Page would probably win

By Steve Newton On February 16, 1989, I did the second of my three interviews with Canadian guitar hero Jeff Healey. He was only 22 at the time, but holy crap could that guy play! Anyway, this was about five months after the release of his wicked debut album, See the Light, which you may … Continue reading That time I asked Jeff Healey about his 1989 Grammy nomination and he told me that Jimmy Page would probably win

That time I asked Lemmy what he liked to do in his spare time when he wasn’t touring with Mötorhead or making albums

By Steve Newton That Lemmy: what a character. I got to interview the metal legend a couple of times before he left us in 2015 for that Great Gig in the Sky, the first time being in the previous century–back in April of 1999. That was just a month after the release of Mötorhead’s sixth … Continue reading That time I asked Lemmy what he liked to do in his spare time when he wasn’t touring with Mötorhead or making albums

That time Warren Haynes told me that his Allman Brothers song “Soulshine” was inspired by his dad

By Steve Newton There some tunes that just grab you by the heart with their simple beauty and honesty and, if you’re lucky, maybe a wailing Les Paul guitar. “Soulshine” is one of ’em. When I interviewed Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes for the first time, a quarter-century ago, the band was touring behind its … Continue reading That time Warren Haynes told me that his Allman Brothers song “Soulshine” was inspired by his dad

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers bring the guitar-heavy Chicago Line to Vancouver’s Town Pump

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 20, 1989 By Steve Newton Lynyrd Skynyrd once recorded an LP called Nuthin’ Fancy. Now I don’t know if British blues great John Mayall ever heard that album or not, but he sure seems to have taken the title to heart. At the Town Pump … Continue reading John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers bring the guitar-heavy Chicago Line to Vancouver’s Town Pump

That time I asked Warren Haynes if he was daunted by the prospect of taking over Duane Allman’s spot opposite Dickey Betts

By Steve Newton The first time I ever saw Warren Haynes perform live was back in 1989, when he was a member of the Dickey Betts Band. The group played Vancouver’s 86 Street Music Hall, touring behind its debut album Pattern Disruptive, and holy crap was Haynes a killer on the slide guitar. Five years … Continue reading That time I asked Warren Haynes if he was daunted by the prospect of taking over Duane Allman’s spot opposite Dickey Betts

Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Mountain, the Cramps, Roy Buchanan, Nazareth, the Georgia Satellites, the New York Dolls, and the Tragically Hip

By Steve Newton As you may have already heard, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2019 a couple of days ago. It includes: Stevie Nicks, the Cure, Def Leppard, the Zombies, Roxy Music, Radiohead, and Janet Jackson. That’s right: Janet Freakin’ Jackson. That legendary rock and roller finally got … Continue reading Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Mountain, the Cramps, Roy Buchanan, Nazareth, the Georgia Satellites, the New York Dolls, and the Tragically Hip

Deep Purple’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton Machine Head still rules. 20. “And the Address” (Shades of Deep Purple, 1968) 19. “Flight of the Rat” (Deep Purple in Rock, 1970) 18. “Lay Down, Stay Down” (Burn, 1974) 17. “Gypsy” (Stormbringer, 1974) 16. “Wring that Neck” (The Book of Taliesyn, 1968) 15. “Hush” (Shades of Deep Purple, 1968) 14. “Soldier … Continue reading Deep Purple’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

That time Mark Hollis of Talk Talk told me all about the video-within-a-video called It’s My Life

By Steve Newton You may have heard the sad news making the rounds in the music press today regarding Mark Hollis. The singer-songwriter of Talk Talk, one of the most adventurous and under-rated of ’80s pop acts, has died at the age of 64. Now, those who’ve read my stuff over the last 37 years … Continue reading That time Mark Hollis of Talk Talk told me all about the video-within-a-video called It’s My Life

Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid says he’s very much in awe of music

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 2, 1988 By Steve Newton Living Colour is not your typical rock ‘n’ roll band. Drummer William Calhoun is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music, where he won the Buddy Rich Award as an outstanding percussionist. Bassist Muzz Skillings has played salsa, jazz, and reggae in assorted bands in … Continue reading Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid says he’s very much in awe of music

That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she hoped to accomplish in her career

By Steve Newton Hey all you diehard Susan Tedeschi fans: here’s another audio excerpt from my 1998 interview with her, when she had just released her second album, Just Won’t Burn, and was on the verge of stardom. As the “phoner” wound down, I asked her what she hoped to accomplish in her career, and … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she hoped to accomplish in her career