By Steve Newton Here's one of my favourite audio excerpts from my interview with Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, and new AC/DC drummer Simon Wright back in 1983. At one point in the conversation--which took place on a Vancouver hotel-room floor where the lads were sipping tea and smokin' ciggies--I asked about the Australian music scene, … Continue reading That time I asked Malcolm Young if AC/DC were from Australia and he politely set me straight
Rory Gallagher’s longtime bassist thinks Rory’s “uniqueness” makes him worthy of Rock Hall induction
By Steve Newton If you've been reading this blog much over the last few years, you've surely figured out that I'm not a big fan of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I got so fed up with the way the RRHOF would continually overlook deserving artists like Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link … Continue reading Rory Gallagher’s longtime bassist thinks Rory’s “uniqueness” makes him worthy of Rock Hall induction
Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid says he’s very much in awe of music
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 2, 1988 By Steve Newton Living Colour is not your typical rock 'n' roll band. Drummer William Calhoun is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music, where he won the Buddy Rich Award as an outstanding percussionist. Bassist Muzz Skillings has played salsa, jazz, and reggae in assorted bands in … Continue reading Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid says he’s very much in awe of music
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she hoped to accomplish in her career
By Steve Newton Hey all you diehard Susan Tedeschi fans: here's another audio excerpt from my 1998 interview with her, when she had just released her second album, Just Won't Burn, and was on the verge of stardom. As the "phoner" wound down, I asked her what she hoped to accomplish in her career, and … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she hoped to accomplish in her career
That time I asked legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn if Bob Rock had tried stealing his AC/DC project, The Razors Edge
By Steve Newton Back in December of 1991 I wrote an article on local producer-to-the-stars Bob Rock, who'd made a name for himself in recent years with bands like Blue Murder, Motley Crue, and especially Metallica (he'd helmed their breakthrough Black Album, which was released four months earlier.) In doing research for the story I contacted … Continue reading That time I asked legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn if Bob Rock had tried stealing his AC/DC project, The Razors Edge
Joe Bonamassa’s “Guitar Event of the Year” sabotaged by poor sound (at least from where I was sitting)
By Steve Newton Man, was I ever stoked for Joe Bonamassa's show--the first of three nights--at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver last night. For starters, the dude's a wicked guitarist, as most folks know, and his latest album, Redemption, blew me away, especially tracks like "Molly O", "Just 'Cos You Can Don't Mean You … Continue reading Joe Bonamassa’s “Guitar Event of the Year” sabotaged by poor sound (at least from where I was sitting)
The Beat Farmers’ wildman drummer Country Dick Montana steals the show in Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 2, 1988 By Steve Newton Picture this: you walk into 86 Street and the first thing you see on stage is a big, bearded mother of a biker-type in a long black coat and cowboy hat. During a raunched-up version of "Lucille", this crazy dude … Continue reading The Beat Farmers’ wildman drummer Country Dick Montana steals the show in Vancouver
AC/DC’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton Guess I'm just more of a Bon guy. 20. "T.N.T." (High Voltage, 1976) 19. "Problem Child" (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, 1976) 18. "Hells Bells" (Back in Black, 1980) 17. "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 16. "Whole Lotta Rosie" (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 15. "Gimme … Continue reading AC/DC’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she got from attending Berklee College of Music
By Steve Newton Here's another audio excerpt from my 1998 interview with Susan Tedeschi, for those who think she's awesome, like me. At one point in the interview I asked her about attending Berklee College of Music, which she graduated from in 1991. That's the Boston institution where such stellar musicians as Steely Dan's Donald … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she got from attending Berklee College of Music
That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album
By Steve Newton I've been reading Mick Wall's 2012 book about AC/DC, Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be, and today I got to the part about the band recording 1983's Flick of the Switch, which the author reckons is AC/DC's worst album ever. I will admit it's no Powerage, but hey--the title track is … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album
Kick Axe kicks ass at the Commodore in Vancouver, classic lineup or not
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 25, 1988 By Steve Newton It was billed as a Kick Axe reunion at the Commodore last Thursday (November 17), but according to original guitarist Larry Gillstrom, it was more of a "new-union". Kick Axe coguitarist Ray Harvey and bassist Victor Langen were off with their respective bands, … Continue reading Kick Axe kicks ass at the Commodore in Vancouver, classic lineup or not
That time I asked Brian May of Queen about that scene in Wayne’s World with “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the car
By Steve Newton I loved Queen in the seventies. When that first album came out in 1973 it was in a steady battle for time on my turntable with other '73 debuts by Aerosmith, Skynyrd, Montrose, and Trower. I clearly remember playing it on my parents' living-room stereo (before I got my own) and being … Continue reading That time I asked Brian May of Queen about that scene in Wayne’s World with “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the car
Colin James lives up to the hype at the second of five straight sold-out Commodore shows
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 18, 1988 By Steve Newton The first time yours truly met Colin James was at the Commodore a couple of years ago. I forget who was playing, but I was hanging out in front of the bar with fellow rock scribbler John "Wacky" Mackie, a member of the band L. Kabong, … Continue reading Colin James lives up to the hype at the second of five straight sold-out Commodore shows