By Steve Newton I did my first interview with American rock legend John Fogerty back in August of 1997, when he was touring behind his fifth solo studio album, Blue Moon Swamp. Two nights earlier he'd performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, so at one point in the conversation I asked him if … Continue reading That time I asked John Fogerty if “Fortunate Son” was a favourite tune of his
That time I asked Ozzy Osbourne if “Crazy Train” was an autobiographical song
By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Ozzy Osbourne back in June of 1982, when he was touring behind his Diary of a Madman LP. Just a few months earlier he'd lost his guitar player, the legendary Randy Rhoads, in a bizarre plane crash. At one point in the conversation I asked Ozzy … Continue reading That time I asked Ozzy Osbourne if “Crazy Train” was an autobiographical song
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 26 to 28
Vancouver Vinyl Record Show at Heritage Hall By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Ripsesh Records presents a night of heavy stoner, psych, and rock 'n' roll at Green Autobody, featuring local bands Floating Faces, Gadfly, Highland Eyeway, Ghostmeat, and La Chinga. Get your rock on! FRIDAY: Vancouver comic Danika Thibault headlines Comedy Here Often?'s Monthly Showcase at … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 26 to 28
Ten years after Van Halen’s 1984, David Lee Roth ponders how condom use changes lyrical content
By Steve Newton Back in 1994 I did my first interview with David Lee Roth while he was promoting his Nile Rodgers-produced Your Filthy Little Mouth album. At one point in the conversation Roth started discussing how the changing times over the past decade--since his last album with Van Halen, 1984--had affected his life and, … Continue reading Ten years after Van Halen’s 1984, David Lee Roth ponders how condom use changes lyrical content
That time Ray Manzarek told me what he really thought of Oliver Stone’s Doors movie
By Steve Newton Back in December of 2005 I interviewed keyboardist Ray Manzarek from the Doors. At the time he was playing Doors songs in a group called Riders on the Storm--aka Doors of the 21st Century--that included former Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger and, in the role of frontman Jim Morrison, Ian Astbury from the … Continue reading That time Ray Manzarek told me what he really thought of Oliver Stone’s Doors movie
R.I.P. Tina Turner: seeing the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll three times wasn’t nearly enough
kevin statham photo, 1993 By Steve Newton Just heard the terrible breaking news: that legendary vocalist Tina Turner has passed away, after a long illness, at the age of 83. An announcement of her death has been posted on her Facebook page: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner," … Continue reading R.I.P. Tina Turner: seeing the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll three times wasn’t nearly enough
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 22 to 26
First Aid Kit plays Malkin Bowl By Steve Newton TUESDAY: Swedish indie-folk duo First Aid Kit plays Malkin Bowl, with guests Hurray For the Riff Raff. TUESDAY: the Invisible Orange presents Italian symphonic power-metal band Rhapsody of Fire at the Rickshaw Theatre, with guests Wind Rose and Seven Kingdoms. WEDNESDAY: From Milltown to Metropolis: Vancouver Experimental Film … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 22 to 26
That time I asked Alex Van Halen how much longer he expected Van Halen to keep on rocking
By Steve Newton Back in August of 1995 I interviewed Alex Van Halen, legendary skin-basher for Van Halen, while the band was touring behind its Bruce Fairbairn-produced Balance album. That tour had been dubbed "The Ambulance Tour" by Eddie, due to his hip problems and Alex rupturing three vertebrae in his neck. So as the … Continue reading That time I asked Alex Van Halen how much longer he expected Van Halen to keep on rocking
Vancouver’s mid-’80s metal scene thrives with bands like Kradle, Nitevigil, and Harlots Webb
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 15, 1986 By Steve Newton Vancouver hard-rock fans who've been thirsting for a taste of homegrown metal should consider visiting the New York Theatre this Saturday (August 16). That's when Burnaby's Kradle will be doing their best to prove that raunchy and original sounds are still alive and well in Expo … Continue reading Vancouver’s mid-’80s metal scene thrives with bands like Kradle, Nitevigil, and Harlots Webb
That time I asked Magic Slim if Magic Sam was okay with him having some of the magic
Back in the summer of 1999 I interviewed blues guitarist and vocalist Magic Slim, who'd been a major contributor to the Chicago blues scene.
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 19-21
The Schizophonics play the Biltmore By Steve Newton FRIDAY: screening at the Rio Theatre of director Lisa Cortés’s new music documentary, Little Richard: I Am Everything. “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bop-bop!” The Supersuckers play the Rickshaw FRIDAY: American raunch-rockers the Supersuckers, featuring bassist-vocalist Eddie Spaghetti, play the WISE Hall, with guests the Hangmen and La Chinga. SOLD OUT. Ya snooze, ya lose. FRIDAY: Comedy Here Often? presents Asian Takeover, a night … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 19-21
I freakin’ love Uriah Heep’s live version of “Circus” with Ian Anderson on flute
By Steve Newton I was just searching around on YouTube for Uriah Heep's "Magician's Birthday", 'cause I needed a music-from-high-school fix, when I came across a concert video I'd never seen before, posted on the UriahHeepNetwork channel. It shows the band performing what is probably my favourite Heep song, the beautiful "Circus", off the Sweet … Continue reading I freakin’ love Uriah Heep’s live version of “Circus” with Ian Anderson on flute
Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 12, 1985 By Steve Newton On Saturday night, in the wilds (well, not quite) of Chilliwack, Matrex were doing their best to make the natives restless. Their set at the Fiddler II Cabaret included about eight originals (some of which they're currently putting on a 24-track demo at Pr0file Studio), as … Continue reading Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple