That time I asked Dickey Betts if it was tough picking tunes for the Allman Brothers’ live album of ’92

kirk west photo By Steve Newton If you’re a dedicated fan of the Allman Brothers Band, you no doubt own a copy of their historic 1971 live album, At Fillmore East. Of course, that double disc was highlighted by the amazing slide-guitar talents of Duane Allman, who died in a motorcycle crash three months after its … Continue reading That time I asked Dickey Betts if it was tough picking tunes for the Allman Brothers’ live album of ’92

Joe Perry says that Aerosmith is playing “wicked tight” after its Permanent Vacation

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 15, 1988 By Steve Newton “If you grew up in the ’70s you liked Aerosmith.” That’s what R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck wrote in the liner notes to his group’s version of Aerosmith’s “Toys in the Attic” on the Dead Letter Office album. And he knew what he was talking about. Along with … Continue reading Joe Perry says that Aerosmith is playing “wicked tight” after its Permanent Vacation

That time Dickey Betts told me that the Allman Brothers transcend generations

By Steve Newton Allman Brothers Band fans (and guitar freaks in general) seem to really enjoy the audio excerpts I’ve been posting from my four interviews with Dickey Betts over the years, so here’s another one. Back in July of ’92 I did my third interview with Dickey, after the band had released its live album … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me that the Allman Brothers transcend generations

Steve Earle takes Exit O back to Vancouver and delivers another hell-raisin’ good time

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 27, 1987 By Steve Newton Whenever Steve Earle hits town, you’re pretty well guaranteed a hellraisin’ good time. It happened at his Vancouver debut last May at the 86 Street Music Hall, and then again last Thursday (November 19) when he and his rip-snortin’ band the Dukes returned to the Expo … Continue reading Steve Earle takes Exit O back to Vancouver and delivers another hell-raisin’ good time

John Cougar Mellencamp sells seats, not principles, in Vancouver

chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 25, 1988 By Steve Newton Some guys have it and some guys don’t. A great band, that is. Springsteen had one when he played here in 1984. And the latest hero of the American heartland, John Cougar Mellencamp, had one at the sold-out Coliseum last Saturday (March 19). … Continue reading John Cougar Mellencamp sells seats, not principles, in Vancouver

The Outlaws’ triple-guitar attack outshines Foghat’s boogie-blues in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 4, 1987 By Steve Newton The raunchy guitar sounds of the ’70s were all the rage at the Commodore last weekend (November 27 and 28), with British boogiemeisters Foghat headlining over Florida-based southern rockers the Outlaws. But it was the triple-guitar attack of the openers that was the real highlight both nights. I’d … Continue reading The Outlaws’ triple-guitar attack outshines Foghat’s boogie-blues in Vancouver

Pink Floyd blows Vancouver away on its A Momentary Lapse of Reason tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 18, 1987 By Steve Newton Seeing Pink Floyd live is a luxury that every rock fan should allow him or herself at least once. Yours truly took advantage of the opportunity to do just that last Thursday (December 10), along with about 44,000 other lucky dogs at B.C. Place. It was my first Floydian experience, and … Continue reading Pink Floyd blows Vancouver away on its A Momentary Lapse of Reason tour

Album review: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Legend (1987)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 30, 1987 By Steve Newton If there was one band I would have killed (well, maimed anyway) to see in its original lineup, that band would have been Lynryd Skynryd, the pride of Jacksonville, Florida, and arguably the best southern rock band to come along. That wish was shattered forever with the death … Continue reading Album review: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Legend (1987)

That time I called Dickey Betts to talk about the Allman Brothers’ new live album and a lady said he wasn’t home

kirk west photo By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts four times, which is pretty cool, since he was one of my main guitar heroes in the seventies. Over the last year or so I’ve been posting audio excerpts from my 1991 interview with Dickey, when the Allmans were touring behind their … Continue reading That time I called Dickey Betts to talk about the Allman Brothers’ new live album and a lady said he wasn’t home

Album review: Van Halen, Van Halen 3 (1998)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 16, 1998 By Steve Newton Ever since Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth as Van Halen’s frontman on 1986’s 5150, the band’s legions of followers have been split into the Sam and Dave camps. Roth proponents feel his macho bravado and hog-in-heat performing style suited the group’s early music; Sammy … Continue reading Album review: Van Halen, Van Halen 3 (1998)

Malcolm Young: the five best quotes I ever got from AC/DC’s rhythm master

By Steve Newton The hard-rock world lost one of its most beloved artists on November 18, 2017, when AC/DC rhythm-guitarist Malcolm Young passed away at the age of 64. Ill health had forced him to leave the band in 2014, and to be confined to a nursing home, where he suffered from dementia. I only met … Continue reading Malcolm Young: the five best quotes I ever got from AC/DC’s rhythm master

Album review: Quiet Riot, Metal Health (1983)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 25, 1983 By Steve Newton Dedicated to the memory of Randy Rhoads, the first album by his former band is one heavy chunk of vinyl. “Metal Health”, “Slick Black Cadillac”, and “Breathless” are all excellent, bang-your-head crotch rockers, but the album’s most outstanding cuts are the bluesy “Don’t Want to Let … Continue reading Album review: Quiet Riot, Metal Health (1983)

That time I asked Dickey Betts if the Allman Brothers’ new live album captured the band as well as At Fillmore East

By Steve Newton The Allman Brothers‘ At Fillmore East has long been regarded as one of the finest concert albums of all time, and you won’t get any argument from me about that. But it’s not the band’s only great live LP. Back in 1992 I did my third interview with ABB guitarist Dickey Betts, … Continue reading That time I asked Dickey Betts if the Allman Brothers’ new live album captured the band as well as At Fillmore East