By Steve Newton Clearly, the '70s stuff was best. 20. "Make It" (Aerosmith, 1973) 19. "Let the Music Do the Talking" (Done With Mirrors, 1985) 18. "Mama Kin" (Aerosmith, 1973) 17. "S.O.S. (Too Bad)" (Get Your Wings, 1974) 16. "Sick as a Dog" (Rocks, 1976) 15. "My Fist Your Face" (Done With Mirrors, 1985) 14. … Continue reading Aerosmith’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Bachman-Turner Overdrive gig draws comparisons to the horror of BTO freak Stephen King
photo by narking/Wikipedia ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 3, 1989 By Steve Newton In the book Kingdom of Fear, a collection of essays on the fiction of Stephen King, the top-selling horror author explained how he came up with the the pseudonym he used on novels like The Running Man and Thinner. Once … Continue reading Bachman-Turner Overdrive gig draws comparisons to the horror of BTO freak Stephen King
That time Lemmy from Motörhead told me that Randy Rhoads became much better after he died
By Steve Newton I got to interview rock legend Lemmy Kilmister a couple of times, first in April of 1999 and then again in the following century, in May of 2002. During that '99 chat I mentioned how I'd first seen Motörhead back in 1983, when they opened for Ozzy Osbourne on the Blizzard of Oz tour … Continue reading That time Lemmy from Motörhead told me that Randy Rhoads became much better after he died
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton "Please sir, could I have a Second Helping?" 20. "Railroad Song" (Nuthin' Fancy, 1975) 19. "Every Mother's Son" (Gimme Back My Bullets, 1976) 18. "On the Hunt" (Nuthin' Fancy, 1975) 17. "I Ain't the One" (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nerd, 1973) 16. "I Never Dreamed" (Street Survivors, 1977) 15. "Tuesday's Gone" (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nerd, … Continue reading Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town” gets montage treatment in American Dad–complete with Phil Lynott!
By Steve Newton I was just partaking in my Sunday-night ritual of watching as many Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad episodes as possible when I came across something that really made my day. In an American Dad rerun there's a scene where Stan and Steve are reliving Stan's old garbageman job and they suddenly … Continue reading Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town” gets montage treatment in American Dad–complete with Phil Lynott!
Rory Gallagher’s former drummer Ted McKenna dead at 68
Paul J. White photo By Steve Newton Sad news for rock fans today. The music world is reeling right now at reports that drummer Ted McKenna--best known for his work with the likes of Rory Gallagher, the Michael Schenker Group, and the Sensational Alex Harvey Band--has died from complications following elective surgery. The news is … Continue reading Rory Gallagher’s former drummer Ted McKenna dead at 68
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers bring the guitar-heavy Chicago Line to Vancouver’s Town Pump
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 20, 1989 By Steve Newton Lynyrd Skynyrd once recorded an LP called Nuthin' Fancy. Now I don't know if British blues great John Mayall ever heard that album or not, but he sure seems to have taken the title to heart. At the Town Pump … Continue reading John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers bring the guitar-heavy Chicago Line to Vancouver’s Town Pump
Black Sabbath’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton Sabbath Bloody Sabbath rules. 20. "Junior's Eyes" (Never Say Die, 1978) 19. "A National Acrobat" (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973) 18. "Into the Void" (Master of Reality, 1971) 17. "Wishing Well" (Heaven and Hell, 1980) 16. "War Pigs" (Paranoid, 1970) 15. "Sabbra Cadabra" (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973) 14. "Dirty Women" (Technical Ecstasy, 1976) 13. … Continue reading Black Sabbath’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Super Chikan’s childhood poverty led to cool homemade guitars and slide-infested blues
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 29, 2010 By Steve Newton When bluesmen chat about their favourite electric guitars, the words Strat and Les Paul often work their way into the conversation. Not when James “Super Chikan” Johnson is doing the talking, though. His ultimate six-string carries neither the Fender nor the Gibson brand, … Continue reading Super Chikan’s childhood poverty led to cool homemade guitars and slide-infested blues
Robin Trower’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton Yep, it's all about Bridge of Sighs. 20. "Back It Up" (Back It Up, 1983) 19. "A Tale Untold" (For Earth Below, 1975) 18. "Man of the World" (Twice Removed from Yesterday, 1973) 17. "Too Rolling Stoned" (Bridge of Sighs, 1974) 16. "Twice Removed from Yesterday" (Twice Removed from Yesterday, 1973) 15. "Victims of the … Continue reading Robin Trower’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time I asked Lemmy what he liked to do in his spare time when he wasn’t touring with Mötorhead or making albums
By Steve Newton That Lemmy: what a character. I got to interview the metal legend a couple of times before he left us in 2015 for that Great Gig in the Sky, the first time being in the previous century--back in April of 1999. That was just a month after the release of Mötorhead's sixth … Continue reading That time I asked Lemmy what he liked to do in his spare time when he wasn’t touring with Mötorhead or making albums
Rory Gallagher’s ex-bassist ponders the music Rory might be making if he were alive today
By Steve Newton As we kick off a new year it's fun to ponder what type of music is to come--or what might have been if certain rock legends hadn't passed before their time. When I interviewed Rory Gallagher's bassist of 20 years, Gerry McAvoy, last month, I asked him what kind of music he thought … Continue reading Rory Gallagher’s ex-bassist ponders the music Rory might be making if he were alive today
Happy Newt Year: a social-studies teacher really likes my book on Gord Downie
By Steve Newton Happy Newt Year everybody! January 1 is often a day of reflection, going over the previous year's highlights, so let's get reflectin'. As a rock writer, 2018 had some memorable moments. I pulled off my eighth interview with guitar hero Joe Satriani, for one thing. I had my first chat with Gerry … Continue reading Happy Newt Year: a social-studies teacher really likes my book on Gord Downie