ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 7, 2007 By Steve Newton It’s somewhat ironic that Black Sabbath‘s 1978 album was titled Never Say Die, because that disc actually signaled the end of the group’s original lineup. After eight albums with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, the metal pioneers gave him the boot, replacing him with Ronnie James Dio. … Continue reading Tony Iommi on Heaven and Hell and how Frank Zappa always loved his “Supernaut” riff
The metal legend just proclaimed “We are Motorhead, we play rock ’n’ roll,” and launched right into the first of 20 rapid-fire blasts…
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 28, 2005 By Steve Newton My earliest memory of drinkin’ beer goes back to when I was about seven or eight. Don’t panic, I wasn’t wasted. I just recall sampling the warm dregs of my dad’s Black Label stubby while watching an Original Six NHL game on the tube. It was … Continue reading Zakk Wylde says that Dimebag Darrell is keeping the beer on ice up in God’s tavern
So, yeah, I’ve reviewed a few shows over the years. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY/ZAKK SABBATH at the Orpheum Theatre, March 17, 2026 BRIT FLOYD at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, July 24, 2025 DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS at the Commodore Ballroom, June 12, 2025 TOQUE at the Great Canadian Casino Vancouver, Nov. 24, 2024 SCOTT SMITH AND THE MIDNIGHT RIDERS … Continue reading concert reviews
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 9, 2006 By Steve Newton When you think of Blue Rodeo frontmen Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, it’s easy to picture Cuddy as the Paul McCartney to Keelor’s John Lennon. Cuddy is best known as the sentimental crooner of the pretty hit ballad “Try”, whereas Keelor is most recognized as the … Continue reading Jim Cuddy goes solo and gathers some extraordinary players to show off to people
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 28, 2005 By Steve Newton Most rock bands from the ’70s aren’t making waves on the sales charts these days, but not every musician who thrived 30 years ago has been barred from Billboard in recent years. Edgar Winter had the chorus from his 1971 song “Dying to Live” used in … Continue reading Edgar Winter strives to break down senseless musical barriers
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON OCT. 12, 2011 By Steve Newton When it comes to politically motivated rockers, you won’t find many more motivated than Tom Morello. Whether blasting out the intense guitar work that propels Rage Against the Machine’s anticorporate rap-metal agenda or taking on the Woody Guthrie–inspired folk-balladeer persona of his solo project, the Nightwatchman, … Continue reading Activist-rocker Tom Morello says that the people who run this world don’t deserve to
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 31, 2007 By Steve Newton When the Dixie Chicks asked Pete Yorn if he wanted to collaborate with them, they didn’t have to ask twice. After he met the ultratalented Texas trio at an after-Grammy party in New York City, they invited him out to Austin to write songs for what … Continue reading Pete Yorn gets into Warren Zevon and enjoys his time as a Chicks magnet
What an awesome heavy-metal band Queen used to be. What, you didn’t know Queen used to be an awesome heavy-metal band?
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 22, 2006 By Steve Newton Like Brian Wilson used to do in his Beach Boys days, Colin Linden gets around. When I catch him on his cellphone he’s just leaving a Calgary hotel with his fellow members of Blackie & the Rodeo Kings—Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing—for a sound check at … Continue reading Blackie & the Rodeo Kings ebullient about a Band classic
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton When legendary guitarist Eric Clapton steps before the Coliseum audience Saturday (July 27) he will be fronting a stellar group of musicians. Bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn is something of a legend himself among musicians, having played with Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T and the … Continue reading My one and only interview with bass legend Donald “Duck” Dunn
