Glenn Tipton says Judas Priest was shocked by K.K. Downing’s departure

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 26, 2011 By Steve Newton When Judas Priest announced its final world tour last month headbangers far and wide, young and ancient, stained their black-leather pants with a torrent of tears. The British metal icons had been bringing the noise to its followers—off and (mostly) on—since 1969, traversing the globe and … Continue reading Glenn Tipton says Judas Priest was shocked by K.K. Downing’s departure

Blue Öyster Cult: “The world’s biggest underground band” (in 1982)

By Steve Newton One of the first interviews I ever did with a rock band I was totally nuts about happened way back in August of 1982. The mighty Blue Öyster Cult was playing Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum–with Aldo Nova opening up!–and the weekly paper I was still new at, the Georgia Straight, wanted me to … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult: “The world’s biggest underground band” (in 1982)

James Hetfield on addiction, rehab, and channelling the anger with Metallica

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 25, 2004 By Steve Newton Reno, Nevada, isn’t the ideal place for a man battling addictions to be, but Metallica main man James Hetfield seems up to the challenge. When he calls from a tour stop in the renowned party town, the newly rehabilitated rocker makes it clear that he wasn’t … Continue reading James Hetfield on addiction, rehab, and channelling the anger with Metallica

Tom Hamilton talks Aerosmith without Joe Perry and the new Rock in a Hard Place

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 21, 1983 By Steve Newton “Yeah, we’re loud alright,” says Tom Hamilton, bassist for American supergroup Aerosmith. “We’re definitely not any quieter than we used to be–we’re just better sounding.” Aerosmith has never been known for quietness or subtlety. Theirs is not the kind of music for … Continue reading Tom Hamilton talks Aerosmith without Joe Perry and the new Rock in a Hard Place

Ozzy Osbourne in ’82: fallen guitar heroes and bitten bats

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 11, 1982 By Steve Newton Over the years, few heavy metal frontmen have proven their stamina and staying power like Ozzy Osbourne. After eight years and eight albums with the legendary Black Sabbath, Osbourne left the group in 1979 and it looked as though he was hanging up his microphone and … Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne in ’82: fallen guitar heroes and bitten bats

Bruce Dickinson on Martin Birch, the exit of Clive Burr, and the lobotomization of Eddie on Iron Maiden’s new album Piece of Mind

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 1, 1983 By Steve Newton Three of Britain’s heaviest heavy-metal bands–Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Fastway–played the Pacific Coliseum last Wednesday in a full night’s worth of brutal, gnashing raunch and roll. I spoke to Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson over the phone from Los Angeles prior to the show and asked … Continue reading Bruce Dickinson on Martin Birch, the exit of Clive Burr, and the lobotomization of Eddie on Iron Maiden’s new album Piece of Mind

Buddy Guy lets Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks get their licks in on stellar Skin Deep

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 2008 By Steve Newton When Buddy Guy calls from Las Vegas at 7 on a Saturday morning, the sleep-deprived interviewer on the receiving end is still waiting for the coffee to kick in. But the 72-year-old Guy has already been up for hours. “Oh man, I was born and raised … Continue reading Buddy Guy lets Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks get their licks in on stellar Skin Deep

Horror review: Cabin Fever

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 18, 2002 By Steve Newton The promoters of Cabin Fever are using a quote from director Peter Jackson in print ads for their new horror flick. BRILLIANT! and FANTASTIC! are some of the adjectives attributed to the visionary filmmaker behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Now, this … Continue reading Horror review: Cabin Fever

My one and only interview with bass legend Donald “Duck” Dunn

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton When legendary guitarist Eric Clapton steps before the Coliseum audience Saturday (July 27) he will be fronting a stellar group of musicians. Bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn is something of a legend himself among musicians, having played with Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T and the … Continue reading My one and only interview with bass legend Donald “Duck” Dunn

My first and last interview with fallen guitar hero Gary Moore

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 13, 2011 By Steve Newton It was exactly one week ago today that the awful news started to get around: Irish guitar legend Gary Moore had been found dead in a Spanish hotel room. A post-mortem the next day revealed that the 58-year-old rocker had passed away in his sleep, due … Continue reading My first and last interview with fallen guitar hero Gary Moore