kirk west photo By Steve Newton I did my fourth interview with Dickey Betts back in 2001, after he'd been kicked out of the Allman Brothers and was touring with his own band, promoting the Let's Get Together album. As our "phoner" wound down, he invited me to come back and meet him after the … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me to quit being so “reclusive” and come meet him after the show
Album review: Rock City Angels, Young Man’s Blues (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 6, 1989 By Steve Newton Fans of Guns N' Roses should seriously consider checking out this double-disc debut because it sports the same brand of raggedy, Aerosmith/Dolls-influenced '70s rock that has made GN'R such a big deal these days. There's plenty of excellent boogie on the fast-paced tunes … Continue reading Album review: Rock City Angels, Young Man’s Blues (1988)
That time Dickey Betts told me why he got kicked out of the Allman Brothers Band
By Steve Newton I did my fourth interview with guitar legend Dickey Betts in August of 2001, when he was touring with the Dickey Betts Band in support of their new album Let's Get Together. A little over a year earlier he'd been fired by fax by the Allman Brothers, who he'd cofounded back in … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me why he got kicked out of the Allman Brothers Band
Thin Lizzy’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I'm sure to get some flak for not including the big hit, "The Boys Are Back in Town", but I honestly don't believe it's one of Lizzy's best tunes. 20. "Slow Blues" (Vagabonds of the Western World, 1973) 19. "Little Girl in Bloom" (Vagabonds of the Western World, 1973) 18. "With Love" … Continue reading Thin Lizzy’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Burt Reynolds’ death two weeks after Ed King’s gets me raving about “Saturday Night Special”
By Steve Newton I never thought Lynyrd Skynyrd's third album, 1975's Nuthin' Fancy, was anywhere near as fine as its first two albums, but holy fvck did I love the opening track, "Saturday Night Special". It boasted a killer main riff by guitarist Ed King, and some seriously kick-ass, southern-fried solos by Gary Rossington. … Continue reading Burt Reynolds’ death two weeks after Ed King’s gets me raving about “Saturday Night Special”
Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson on reuniting and getting lean and mean after 40: “Might even want to prove something”
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton Whatever happened to Ian Hunter, the former leader of one of Britain's most influential pre-punk rock bands Mott the Hoople: the corkscrew-haired singer with the ever-present shades and Cockney twang; the gifted songwriter who penned such classics as "All the Way from Memphis", … Continue reading Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson on reuniting and getting lean and mean after 40: “Might even want to prove something”
Chillin’ with blues legend Buddy Guy backstage at the Commodore
By Steve Newton Here's me hangin' with one of my fave all-time bluesmen, Mr. Buddy Guy. It was backstage at the Commodore Ballroom, one of the top concert venues in Vancouver. I remember this meeting well, because the former proprietor of the Commodore, local legend Drew Burns, also showed up to say hi to Buddy. … Continue reading Chillin’ with blues legend Buddy Guy backstage at the Commodore
Dickey Betts on the “disco shit” of the ’80s and the nauseating music the Allmans made for Clive Davis
By Steve Newton Hey, as you may be aware, I never tire of posting little audio snippets from my four interviews with guitar legend Dickey Betts. Here's one from 2001 where Dickey, always honest and to the point, explains how the Allman Brothers broke up in the early '80s to let disco run its course--but … Continue reading Dickey Betts on the “disco shit” of the ’80s and the nauseating music the Allmans made for Clive Davis
Donald Kinsey laments the death of Roy Buchanan, relives the attempted assassination of Bob Marley
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 2, 1988 By Steve Newton Donald Kinsey knows the meaning of the blues. Lately--in the wake of Roy Buchanan's suicide--he knows it better than ever. Kinsey was a good buddy of Buchanan's, and played guitar on his late two albums, Hot Wires and Dancing on the Edge. Since … Continue reading Donald Kinsey laments the death of Roy Buchanan, relives the attempted assassination of Bob Marley
AC/DC-in-Vancouver news-breaker talks recording rumours, the Warehouse connection, and the magic of Malcolm Young
By Steve Newton I've interviewed hundreds of rock musicians over the past 35 years, but I've only been interviewed myself a few times--most of those discussions taking place earlier this year when local Tragically Hip fans like Jody Vance and Drex wanted to know about the book I'd just written about Gord Downie. But I was on … Continue reading AC/DC-in-Vancouver news-breaker talks recording rumours, the Warehouse connection, and the magic of Malcolm Young
That time I asked Dickey Betts what Allman Brothers tunes he was playing with his own band
By Steve Newton Back in 2001 I did my fourth interview with Dickey Betts, one of my fave pickers ever. At the time he was touring with the Dickey Betts Band, which had recently released its Let's Get Together album, the one where Dickey wore an Allen Woody t-shirt for the cover photo. At one … Continue reading That time I asked Dickey Betts what Allman Brothers tunes he was playing with his own band
Rod Stewart has all the luck in Vancouver on the Out of Order tour
stevie salas rips it up with Rod ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 26, 1988 By Steve Newton The question was: can Rod Stewart still deliver after 20-some-odd years in the rock 'n' roll spotlight? And the answer is: the ladies sure seem to think so! After Saturday's (August 20) wingding at the PNE, … Continue reading Rod Stewart has all the luck in Vancouver on the Out of Order tour
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s presence in Vancouver prompts raves from local skinbasher Pat Steward
photo by nick yacyshyn, rufus drum shop By Steve Newton You may have heard that several members of AC/DC have been spotted at Vancouver's Warehouse Studio, leading to speculation that they're recording a new album here. It all started when I got a call from one of my rock 'n' roll sources on the street, … Continue reading AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s presence in Vancouver prompts raves from local skinbasher Pat Steward