By Steve Newton When I call up Harry Manx for an interview, I have no idea where he's located. The area code (250) signifies that it's somewhere in B.C., but that's about it. Turns out he's been residing on Salt Spring Island for the last 20 years or so. And as luck would have it … Continue reading Slide-guitar ace Harry Manx praises Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Kevin Breit, and his first blues influence, Johnny Winter
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, January 23-27
Stephen Nikleva plays Guilt and Co. By Steve Newton MONDAY: Vancouver guitar great Stephen Nikleva leads his band--which includes second guitarist Noah Walker, bassist Patrick Metzger, and drummer Paul Townsend--at Gastown's Guilt and Co. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: Toronto’s Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes presents the world premiere of Little Willy, a twisted retelling of Romeo and Juliet, at the Cultch Historic … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, January 23-27
That time I asked Rickey Medlocke if he and Hughie Thomasson might get to sneak a Blackfoot or Outlaws tune into Skynyrd’s set
By Steve Newton I interviewed Rickey Medlocke in 1997, the year after he'd joined Gary Rossington and Hughie Thomasson in Lynyrd Skynyrd's three-guitar lineup. While Rossington was a founding Skynyrd guitarist, and Medlocke had played drums for them in their early days, Medlocke and Thomasson had made their names in two of my other fave … Continue reading That time I asked Rickey Medlocke if he and Hughie Thomasson might get to sneak a Blackfoot or Outlaws tune into Skynyrd’s set
That time I told Jeff Beck that the first time I ever saw him was with Aerosmith on the Rocks Tour in ’76
By Steve Newton Over the past 40 years or so I've seen hella concerts in the Vancouver area, either at clubs, soft-seat theatres, arenas, or stadiums. But I've also enjoyed the odd memorable gig outside Metro Vancouver. Back in the mid-'80s I was fortunate enough to see both Midnight Oil and Angel City play club … Continue reading That time I told Jeff Beck that the first time I ever saw him was with Aerosmith on the Rocks Tour in ’76
Edmonton native Krystle Dos Santos found a soulful home among the amazing vocalists of Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 2021 By Steve Newton You might be a big Stevie Wonder fan, but I'll bet you're not as big a Stevie Wonder fan as Krystle Dos Santos. When she was four or five years old the local soul vocalist would sing along to his LPs, trying her best to read along … Continue reading Edmonton native Krystle Dos Santos found a soulful home among the amazing vocalists of Vancouver
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Jan. 20-22
Robert Connely Farr plays the Fox Cabaret By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Rogue Folk Club presents Italian folk-roots guitar virtuoso Beppe Gambetta at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James. That dude can play! FRIDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in National Hockey League action at Rogers Arena. The … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Jan. 20-22
Doug and the Slugs doc captures the essence of Doug Bennett
By Steve Newton When you think about the music of Doug and the Slugs, what comes to mind first are mostly likely the band's upbeat early-'80s radio hits, "Too Bad" and "Making It Work". Or maybe it's the catchy, singalong vibe of the whimsical "Day By Day". But for Teresa Alfeld--director of the 2022 documentary … Continue reading Doug and the Slugs doc captures the essence of Doug Bennett
That time I asked 30-year-old Brother Cane frontman Damon Johnson if, being from Alabama, he was a Skynyrd fan
DJ & Eddie VH By Steve Newton Brother Cane singer-guitarist Damon Johnson called me up from Chicago back on April 26, 1995, five days after his band had opened for Van Halen at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. The group would play another 20 or so gigs with Eddie and the boys that year, … Continue reading That time I asked 30-year-old Brother Cane frontman Damon Johnson if, being from Alabama, he was a Skynyrd fan
That time Long John Baldry told me that Jeff Beck’s wife wouldn’t let him join Baldry’s band back in ’64
By Steve Newton Ever since hearing the sad and shocking news of Jeff Beck's death last Tuesday (January 10) I've been thinking of how huge a loss his passing was. By all accounts he was an incredibly fine person, above and beyond being the greatest rock guitarist who ever lived. I've been recalling some of … Continue reading That time Long John Baldry told me that Jeff Beck’s wife wouldn’t let him join Baldry’s band back in ’64
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, Jan. 16 to 20
Terminal Station plays Guilt & Co. By Steve Newton MONDAY: local southern-tinged blues-rockers Terminal Station, featuring singer-guitarist Scott Smith, play Guilt & Co., performing tunes from latest album Brotherhood. DIg that downhome Allman Brothers vibe. TUESDAY AND THURSDAY: screenings at the Rio Theatre of writer-director Kyle Edward Ball’s dread-inducing, micro-budget Canadian horror film Skinamarink. I heard it's scary … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, Jan. 16 to 20
That time David Lee Roth told me what he really thought of Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen
By Steve Newton I did my second interview with David Lee Roth back in June of 2003, when he was touring behind his last studio album, Diamond Dave. The previous year Roth and his replacement in Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, had joined forces for the Sam & Dave Tour, which saw them trek across the … Continue reading That time David Lee Roth told me what he really thought of Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen
Chaka Khan says you have to follow your heart, and trust it
"Ya gotta really have intuitiveness, in your decisions, and you have to follow your heart, and you gotta trust that."
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Jan. 13-15
Brass Camel plays the WISE Hall By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Vancouver punk-rockers the Black Halos play the Rickshaw Theatre, with guests the Spitfires and Alien Boys. Billy Hopeless in da house! FRIDAY: Vancouver rockabilly trio Cousin Harley, featuring guitar wizard Paul Pigat, plays White Rock's Blue Frog Studios. SOLD OUT. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Grammy-winning violinist … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Jan. 13-15