By Steve Newton British guitar hero Bernie Marsden turned 72 today, so I figured now was as good a time as any to ask God to bless his solo on Whitesnake's "Fool For Your Lovin'". In previous blogs I've asked God to bless exquisite guitar solos by Scott Gorham on Thin Lizzy’s “Romeo and the Lonely Girl”, Donald … Continue reading God bless Bernie Marsden’s guitar solo on Whitesnake’s “Fool For Your Lovin'”
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 8 to 12
Terminal Station plays Guilt and Co. By Steve Newton MONDAY: Vancouver blues-rock band Terminal Station–featuring singer-guitarist Scott Smith–plays Guilt and Co. Stand on it, Scotty! MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the DOXA Documentary Film Festival will showcase 39 features and mid-lengths and 25 short films, plus Q&As and panel discussions, at the VIFF Centre and Cinematheque until May … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 8 to 12
That time Steve Stevens told me that Van Halen producer Ted Templeman helped him keep his sanity on Atomic Playboys
By Steve Newton Ted Templeman is one of the most successful rock-music producers in America. You could say that he is to the United States what Bruce Fairbairn was to Canada. Templeman was at the controls for such stellar albums as Montrose's self-titled debut, the Doobie Brothers' The Captain and Me, Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey, … Continue reading That time Steve Stevens told me that Van Halen producer Ted Templeman helped him keep his sanity on Atomic Playboys
That time I went to see Goddo and got bonked on the head by a bass
Just came across an old newspaper ad for a run of shows by Ontario power trio Goddo at fabled Vancouver nightspot the Body Shop. That little clipping--which I found on the Facebook group Rocking Vancouver - A Visual Recollection Of Vancouvers Rock Concert Scene--got me thinking of that time I went to see Goddo at … Continue reading That time I went to see Goddo and got bonked on the head by a bass
Animotion looks past current “Obsession” in hopes of avoiding one-hit wonder status
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 5, 1985 By Steve Newton "The first time I heard it I knew it would be a hit," says Animotion drummer Frenchy O'Brien, speaking of the group's smash debut single, "Obsession". The tune was originally recorded by its writers, Michael Des Barres and Holly Knight, for the movie A Night in … Continue reading Animotion looks past current “Obsession” in hopes of avoiding one-hit wonder status
Flowing pedal-steel lights up Leonard Cohen’s bittersweet songs in Vancouver
alexander w. thomas photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 24, 1985 By Steve Newton The mellow magic of singer-poet Leonard Cohen cast its spell on an enthusiastic crowd at the Orpheum last week. The concert was part of Cohen's first North American tour in ten years and featured songs from his new album Various Positions, as … Continue reading Flowing pedal-steel lights up Leonard Cohen’s bittersweet songs in Vancouver
That time Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi told me what he thought of Megadeth, Metallica, and Pantera
By Steve Newton Back in March of 2007 I did my second interview with Tony Iommi, who was about to kick off a nine-month global tour with the Ronnie James Dio-fronted Heaven and Hell. (The band had changed its name from Black Sabbath, which it had previously recorded and toured under, to differentiate it from … Continue reading That time Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi told me what he thought of Megadeth, Metallica, and Pantera
Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Dick Dale, Soundgarden, the Guess Who, the Replacements, Bad Company, Mahogany Rush, the Edgar Winter Group, and the Stray Cats
By Steve Newton As I mentioned yesterday, since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has just announced its seven inductees for the Class of 2023, my own little institution located in the wilds of British Columbia--Newt's Rock Hall--is gonna counter with seven different inductees of its own. And of course mine will be better. … Continue reading Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Dick Dale, Soundgarden, the Guess Who, the Replacements, Bad Company, Mahogany Rush, the Edgar Winter Group, and the Stray Cats
Newt’s top 10 (or 14) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 5 to 7
The Modelos play the Admiral Pub By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Rogue Folk Club presents the six-piece Get Back band performing unplugged interpretations of Beatles songs at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James, with guest Jenny Allen from Calgary. FRIDAY: Vancouver blues artist and actor Jim Byrnes performs as part of the Listening Lounge Series at the ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge. SOLD OUT. FRIDAY AND … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 14) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 5 to 7
Gordon Lightfoot’s Gord’s Gold was the only folk album I ever bought as a teen
By Steve Newton Oh man, was 1975 ever a great year for rock. Maybe the greatest. Of course, it helped if you turned 18 in '75. I mean, just to name a few, the LPs released that year included Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti, Thin Lizzy's Fighting, Queen's A Night at the Opera, Aerosmith's Toys in … Continue reading Gordon Lightfoot’s Gord’s Gold was the only folk album I ever bought as a teen
Rock Hall finally inducts Link Wray, can Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher be far behind?
By Steve Newton After ten years of my complaining about Link Wray not being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the boneheads who run the high-falutin' joint in Cleveland finally caved and decided to induct him, in the "musical influence" division. It's about freakin' time. Wray, who pretty well invented the raunchy guitar … Continue reading Rock Hall finally inducts Link Wray, can Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher be far behind?
Aerosmith snubs Vancouver with farewell tour announcement
By Steve Newton Yesterday Aerosmith announced its farewell tour, a five-month jaunt beginning September 2 in Philadelphia and winding up January 26 in Montreal. Unfortunately, they didn't bother to pencil in a date for Vancouver--the city that was instrumental to their huge comeback success in the late '80s and early '90s. The band recorded three … Continue reading Aerosmith snubs Vancouver with farewell tour announcement
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 1 to 5
Crowded House plays the Orpheum By Steve Newton TUESDAY: Australasian pop band Crowded House, led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Neil Finn, plays the Orpheum Theatre. If they forget to play "Don't Dream It's Over", you should ask for your money back. TUESDAY: F7 Entertainment Group presents Australian prog-rock guitar wizard Plini at the Rickshaw … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 1 to 5