By Steve Newton Machine Head still rules. 20. “And the Address” (Shades of Deep Purple, 1968) 19. “Flight of the Rat” (Deep Purple in Rock, 1970) 18. “Lay Down, Stay Down” (Burn, 1974) 17. “Gypsy” (Stormbringer, 1974) 16. “Wring that Neck” (The Book of Taliesyn, 1968) 15. “Hush” (Shades of Deep Purple, 1968) 14. “Soldier … Continue reading Deep Purple’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton You may have heard the sad news making the rounds in the music press today regarding Mark Hollis. The singer-songwriter of Talk Talk, one of the most adventurous and under-rated of ’80s pop acts, has died at the age of 64. Now, those who’ve read my stuff over the last 37 years … Continue reading That time Mark Hollis of Talk Talk told me all about the video-within-a-video called It’s My Life
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
By Steve Newton One of my favourite things about being a rock writer is getting to chat with musicians like Warren Haynes. He’s one helluva singer and songwriter, in my book, and of course his guitar playing just freakin’ rules. I’ve been lucky enough to have interviewed Haynes six times so far, the first being … Continue reading That time Warren Haynes told me about playing with Dickey Betts and becoming an Allman Brother
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
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
By Steve Newton Guess I’m just more of a Dave guy. 20. “Runaround” (For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, 1991) 19. “Drop Dead Legs” (1984, 1984) 18. “You Really Got Me” (Van Halen, 1978) 17. “Oh, Pretty Woman” (Diver Down, 1982) 16. “Running With the Devil” (Van Halen, 1978) 15. “Dreams” (5150, 1986) 14. “Everybody Wants Some!!” … Continue reading Van Halen’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
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
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 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 last two albums, Hot Wires and Dancing on the Edge. Since Buchanan was found … Continue reading Donald Kinsey laments the death of Roy Buchanan, relives the attempted assassination of Bob Marley
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
By Steve Newton Okay, this is probably the last audio excerpt I’m gonna post from that old interview I did with AC/DC back in ’83, at the start of the Flick of the Switch tour. It’s from when I was interviewing Malcolm, Brian, and new drummer Simon Wright, and I asked them which songs they … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC which songs they most liked doing live and Malcolm Young said it was all about the kids
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”
