By Steve Newton Fans of Leslie West should send thoughts and prayers to the American rock-guitar legend. Yesterday West's brother, Larry West Weinstein, posted on Facebook that Leslie was gravely ill and near death after his heart stopped, and that he was put on a ventilator. "I am asking for all your prayers," wrote Weinstein. … Continue reading Leslie West, guitar legend of Mountain fame, gravely ill after his heart stopped
That time Joe Satriani told me that he strove for a live sound worthy of Yes, Pink Floyd, and the Grateful Dead
By Steve Newton I did the first of my eight interviews with Joe Satriani back in January of 1990, when he was touring behind his awesome Flying in a Blue Dream album. As the conversation wound down I asked him if it was tricky controlling the acoustics at some venues, playing at the volume that … Continue reading That time Joe Satriani told me that he strove for a live sound worthy of Yes, Pink Floyd, and the Grateful Dead
The best guitarist you’ve never heard of, Ireland’s Joe Hodgson, idolized Gallagher and Moore
By Steve Newton Ireland has spawned two of the greatest rock guitarists of all time in Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore. Yet for some unfathomable reason, neither of them have garnered the massive, worldwide fame their dedicated followers know is their due. In a perfect world, their names would be as recognizable as those of … Continue reading The best guitarist you’ve never heard of, Ireland’s Joe Hodgson, idolized Gallagher and Moore
That time the Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb told me that he thought the Saturday Night Fever movie was “awful”
By Steve Newton I was never a huge fan of the Bee Gees. But that didn't stop me from interviewing one of its members, Robin Gibb, back in August of 1984. At the time he was promoting a solo album called Secret Agent, which featured nine songs cowritten with his twin brother Maurice Gibb. Their … Continue reading That time the Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb told me that he thought the Saturday Night Fever movie was “awful”
That time bass legend Tommy Shannon told me who his favourite musician of all time was
By Steve Newton Tommy Shannon is perhaps best known as the bassist for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, but dedicated blues-guitar freaks will also know him as the guy who brought the bottom end on Johnny Winter's first three albums. I interviewed Shannon back in 1998 when he was in the band Storyville, and … Continue reading That time bass legend Tommy Shannon told me who his favourite musician of all time was
A certain Chuck Berry tune comes to mind every Christmas in Newtville
By Steve Newton Every year when I'm putting up the Christmas lights a certain Chuck Berry tune comes to mind. Can you guess which one it is? No, it's not "Run Rudolph Run". "House of Blue Lights" was actually first recorded in 1946 by Ella Mae Morse and Freddie Slack. Did the groovy lingo from … Continue reading A certain Chuck Berry tune comes to mind every Christmas in Newtville
That time Alejandro Escovedo told me that the Modernettes’ “Rebel Kind” was a great song
By Steve Newton A couple days ago Alejandro Escovedo posted a fun little blog I'd written in 2015 on his Facebook page. It was about "the greatest guitar solo of all time", which I attributed to Mick Ronson for his solo on Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten Twice Shy". Alejandro must be a big Ronson fan … Continue reading That time Alejandro Escovedo told me that the Modernettes’ “Rebel Kind” was a great song
That time I called up Albert King and asked how life was treatin’ him these days and he said “shit”
By Steve Newton On August 18, 1990, I did my one and only interview with blues legend Albert King. I was very fortunate to have scored that interview, because a little over two years later he was gone. I called Albert up when he was on the road in Poughkeepsie, New York, and asked him … Continue reading That time I called up Albert King and asked how life was treatin’ him these days and he said “shit”
Johnny Winter documentary underscores the ineptitude of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
By Steve Newton I watched the 2016 Johnny Winter documentary, Down & Dirty, on Amazon Prime the other night. I quite enjoyed it; thought it was a fine representation of the albino blues master's remarkable career, especially his twilight years. It was a joy to see Winter undertake his final tour, playing the best he … Continue reading Johnny Winter documentary underscores the ineptitude of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
That time Eric Carr told me that new Kiss guitarist Mark St. John was “absolutely astounding”
By Steve Newton I interviewed Kiss drummer Eric Carr in August of 1984, shortly before the band released its Animalize LP. You may recall that album for the hit single "Heaven's on Fire". I doubt you'll recall it for much more. Anyway, at one point in the conversation I asked Carr about the band's new guitarist, … Continue reading That time Eric Carr told me that new Kiss guitarist Mark St. John was “absolutely astounding”
That time I asked Randy Hansen what he thought was so great about Hendrix when he first heard him
By Steve Newton Few guitar players have proven as influential as Jimi Hendrix. As the years go passing by, the rock legend's influence just keeps growing and growing. Back in 2001 I interviewed Randy Hansen, the world's best-known Hendrix tribute artist, and at one point I asked him what he thought was so great about … Continue reading That time I asked Randy Hansen what he thought was so great about Hendrix when he first heard him
That time the Cult’s Billy Duffy told me that Thin Lizzy was his number-one “teenie band”, and that it all boils down to the Les Paul
By Steve Newton Way back on April 7 of 1989 I interviewed the Cult guitarist Billy Duffy. That was three days before the band released its fourth album, the Bob Rock-produced Sonic Temple, which would go platinum on the strength of tunes like "Fire Woman", "Sweet Soul Sister", and "Edie (Ciao Baby)". At one point … Continue reading That time the Cult’s Billy Duffy told me that Thin Lizzy was his number-one “teenie band”, and that it all boils down to the Les Paul
That time Megadeth’s Marty Friedman told me that distortion was the common thread on the Clash of the Titans Tour
By Steve Newton Megadeth has featured a fair whack of wicked guitarists over the years. Alongside mainstay Dave Mustaine, the band has boasted such primo players as Chris Poland, Jeff Young, Marty Friedman, Al Pitrelli, Glen Drover, and Chris Broderick. When I did my first Megadeth interview, back in May of 1991, Friedman was the … Continue reading That time Megadeth’s Marty Friedman told me that distortion was the common thread on the Clash of the Titans Tour