That time I asked Malcolm Young if AC/DC were from Australia and he politely set me straight

By Steve Newton Here’s one of my favourite audio excerpts from my interview with Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, and new AC/DC drummer Simon Wright back in 1983. At one point in the conversation–which took place on a Vancouver hotel-room floor where the lads were sipping tea and smokin’ ciggies–I asked about the Australian music scene, … Continue reading That time I asked Malcolm Young if AC/DC were from Australia and he politely set me straight

AC/DC’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton Guess I’m just more of a Bon guy. 20. “T.N.T.” (High Voltage, 1976) 19. “Problem Child” (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, 1976) 18. “Hells Bells” (Back in Black, 1980) 17. “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be” (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 16. “Whole Lotta Rosie” (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 15. “Gimme … Continue reading AC/DC’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album

By Steve Newton I’ve been reading Mick Wall’s 2012 book about AC/DC, Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be, and today I got to the part about the band recording 1983’s Flick of the Switch, which the author reckons is AC/DC’s worst album ever. I will admit it’s no Powerage, but hey–the title track is … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album

John Mayall believes the Bluesbreakers are better than ever on Chicago Line

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 13, 1989 By Steve Newton The biggest aim for most rock musicians when they’re starting out is getting on a major label. A major-label signing means that your music is available to the masses. It’s the first step on the road to international stardom. But it’s not just … Continue reading John Mayall believes the Bluesbreakers are better than ever on Chicago Line

Dickey Betts on the “disco shit” of the ’80s and the nauseating music the Allmans made for Clive Davis

By Steve Newton Hey, as you may be aware, I never tire of posting little audio snippets from my four interviews with guitar legend Dickey Betts. Here’s one from 2001 where Dickey, always honest and to the point, explains how the Allman Brothers broke up in the early ’80s to let disco run its course–but … Continue reading Dickey Betts on the “disco shit” of the ’80s and the nauseating music the Allmans made for Clive Davis

Disgruntled Cult fans pelt Commodore door with donations at surprise Food Bank benefit

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton For a while it looked like a minor riot might break out on the Granville Mall last Sunday night, even with our cup-fumbling Canuckleheads out of action. But only a few disgruntled Cult fans among the estimated 2,000 to 3,000 turned away from … Continue reading Disgruntled Cult fans pelt Commodore door with donations at surprise Food Bank benefit

Robin Trower’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton Yep, it’s all about Bridge of Sighs. 20. “Back It Up” (Back It Up, 1983) 19. “A Tale Untold” (For Earth Below, 1975) 18. “Man of the World” (Twice Removed from Yesterday, 1973) 17. “Too Rolling Stoned” (Bridge of Sighs, 1974) 16. “Twice Removed from Yesterday” (Twice Removed from Yesterday, 1973) 15. “Victims of the … Continue reading Robin Trower’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

Colin James lives up to the hype at the second of five straight sold-out Commodore shows

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 18, 1988 By Steve Newton The first time yours truly met Colin James was at the Commodore a couple of years ago. I forget who was playing, but I was hanging out in front of the bar with fellow rock scribbler John “Wacky” Mackie, a member of the band L. Kabong, … Continue reading Colin James lives up to the hype at the second of five straight sold-out Commodore shows

That time Dickey Betts told me to quit being so “reclusive” and come meet him after the show

kirk west photo By Steve Newton I did my fourth interview with Dickey Betts back in 2001, after he’d been kicked out of the Allman Brothers and was touring with his own band, promoting the Let’s Get Together album. As our “phoner” wound down, he invited me to come back and meet him after the … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me to quit being so “reclusive” and come meet him after the show

Boston frontman Brad Delp on overcoming lawsuits and staying true to Tom Scholz’s vision

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 16, 1988 By Steve Newton With a debut album that was the fastest-selling release in the history of the recording industry, Boston was to the mid-’70s what Guns N’ Roses are to the late ’80s. With such uplifting, guitar-heavy tunes as “More Than a Feeling”, “Long Time”, and “Peace of Mind”, … Continue reading Boston frontman Brad Delp on overcoming lawsuits and staying true to Tom Scholz’s vision

That time I asked legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn if Bob Rock had tried stealing his AC/DC project, The Razors Edge

By Steve Newton Back in December of 1991 I wrote an article on local producer-to-the-stars Bob Rock, who’d made a name for himself in recent years with bands like Blue Murder, Motley Crue, and especially Metallica (he’d helmed their breakthrough Black Album, which was released four months earlier.) In doing research for the story I contacted … Continue reading That time I asked legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn if Bob Rock had tried stealing his AC/DC project, The Razors Edge

Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 7, 1988 By Steve Newton Two nights after Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler sailed through town, on September 30, a couple more British rock greats visited. While not as widely known, Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson have a following that is just as devoted, and they gave a … Continue reading Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver

That time Robin Trower told me that most of the pop music in England was “rubbish”

By Steve Newton Robin Trower is one of my fave guitarists of all time. His string of wicked albums in the seventies–in particular Twice Removed from Yesterday, Bridge of Sighs, and For Earth Below–were a major part of the soundtrack to my teenage existence. He’s never gotten the cred he deserves, partly due to the … Continue reading That time Robin Trower told me that most of the pop music in England was “rubbish”