ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 11, 1988 By Steve Newton It was really pouring last Saturday night (November 5), but inside the Town Pump it was perspiration that was coming down. The heat was just a-flyin' off the bodies of guitarist Mike Weiley and bassist Craig Bloxom, the frontline attack force of Aussie … Continue reading V. Spy V. Spy sweat it out in true Aussie fashion at Vancouver’s Town Pump
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she had a favourite tune on Just Won’t Burn
By Steve Newton I love listening to Susan Tedeschi sing and play guitar. I mean, who doesn't? I love interviewing her too, because she's not just a wicked musician, but a total sweetie as well. The first time I chatted with her was back in 1998, when she was just 28, and touring behind her … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she had a favourite tune on Just Won’t Burn
That time B.B. King told me that Eric Clapton could make him do whatever he wants
By Steve Newton I've been lucky enough to have interviewed blues legend B.B. King twice, once way back in 1984, then again in 2002. The last time was a couple of years after he and Eric Clapton had recorded the awesome Riding With the King album, which was a shoo-in for my Top 10 albums … Continue reading That time B.B. King told me that Eric Clapton could make him do whatever he wants
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she idolized Bonnie Raitt
By Steve Newton When I did my first interview with Susan Tedeschi, back in 1998, she was touring behind her Just Won't Burn album, which included a cover of John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery". When I asked her how she came to record that tune we got to talking about Bonnie Raitt, so I inquired … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she idolized Bonnie Raitt
30 great horror flicks from the last 30 years
By Steve Newton I've been reviewing horror movies professionally since 1988. Here's 30 of my faves: Hereditary (2018) "The wrath of Satan seems pretty tame compared to the suffering that damaged family members can inflict on one another." A Quiet Place (2018) "...ultimately A Quiet Place emerges as an effective nightmare-maker for parents that is … Continue reading 30 great horror flicks from the last 30 years
That time I called Susan Tedeschi to talk about Just Won’t Burn and her mom said she was in the tub
By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Susan Tedeschi in November of 1998, just eight months before she met husband-to-be Derek Trucks while opening for the Allman Brothers and they started the relationship that would result in two beautiful kids and the formation of the equally stunning Tedeschi Trucks Band. At the time … Continue reading That time I called Susan Tedeschi to talk about Just Won’t Burn and her mom said she was in the tub
Remembering Gord Downie through the Hip’s last gig
By Steve Newton The following is an excerpt from my beer-table book, Gord Downie, published February 2018 by Sterling Books, New York. The tour's final show at Kingston's Rogers K-Rock Centre was the one everyone was talking about. It was broadcast live on the tube by the CBC, with no commercial breaks, and watched by … Continue reading Remembering Gord Downie through the Hip’s last gig
Colin Linden connects with “unjaded” hero Rick Danko on stellar When the Spirit Comes
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton A lot of people have rock dreams, whereby they imagine themselves up on stage, performing with their favourite musical idols. Most of the time these fantasies never come true. But once in a while--as in the case of Toronto's Colin Linden--they do. His rock dream was … Continue reading Colin Linden connects with “unjaded” hero Rick Danko on stellar When the Spirit Comes
Idiots at the Rock Hall think Janet Jackson is more deserving of nomination than Johnny Winter, Link Wray, and Rory Gallagher
By Steve Newton The nominations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2019 were announced recently and, as expected, Jann Wenner and the other dimwits in charge of the place proved themselves jackasses of the highest order. For the past eight years I've been keeping tabs on the RRHOF's shameful derelictions of … Continue reading Idiots at the Rock Hall think Janet Jackson is more deserving of nomination than Johnny Winter, Link Wray, and Rory Gallagher
Blue Öyster Cult’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I guess you could say I like the first album the best. Let the Newt-bashing begin! 20. "O.D.'d on Life Itself" (Tyranny and Mutation, 1973) 19. "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" (Fire of Unknown Origin, 1981) 18. "Teen Archer" (Tyranny and Mutation, 1973) 17. "Before the Kiss, a Redcap" (Blue Öyster Cult, 1972) … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 7, 1988 By Steve Newton Two nights after Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler sailed through town, on September 30, a couple more British rock greats visited. While not as widely known, Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson have a following that is just as devoted, and they gave a … Continue reading Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver
Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler shiver spines in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 7, 1988 By Steve Newton Of the three big guitar names in seminal British blues-rock--Page, Beck, and Clapton--only the latter has chosen to take a player of his own calibre on tour with him. The match-up of Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton is one made in guitarist's heaven, … Continue reading Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler shiver spines in Vancouver
Scotty Hall: 22 minutes with Vancouver’s greatest unknown rock guitarist (R.I.P.)
Scotty Hall (left) and Phil Robertson By Steve Newton I've been lucky enough to have interviewed some amazing guitar players in the last 35 years, pickers like Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Satriani, and Scotty Hall. Scotty Hall? Who the funk is he, you're probably thinking. Well, unless you're a music insider based … Continue reading Scotty Hall: 22 minutes with Vancouver’s greatest unknown rock guitarist (R.I.P.)