Leslie West, guitar legend of Mountain fame, gravely ill after his heart stopped

By Steve Newton Fans of Leslie West should send thoughts and prayers to the American rock-guitar legend. Yesterday West’s brother, Larry West Weinstein, posted on Facebook that Leslie was gravely ill and near death after his heart stopped, and that he was put on a ventilator. “I am asking for all your prayers,” wrote Weinstein. … Continue reading Leslie West, guitar legend of Mountain fame, gravely ill after his heart stopped

That time Jon Bon Jovi told me that his band’s new Slippery When Wet album was just meant to be a fun summertime album

By Steve Newton I did the third of my three interviews with Jon Bon Jovi in June of 1987, when his band was touring behind its massively successful third album, Slippery When Wet, which went on to sell over 12-million copies in the U.S. alone. A year earlier the group had barely caused a stir … Continue reading That time Jon Bon Jovi told me that his band’s new Slippery When Wet album was just meant to be a fun summertime album

36 years later I finally got turned on to the rockin’ glory of Warren Zevon’s “Even a Dog Can Shake Hands”

By Steve Newton I’m a little show on the uptake sometimes. For example, just yesterday I was typing up my old interview from 1987 with Rick Richards of the Georgia Satellites, giving the article new life on the internet after being trapped on yellowing newspaper and stashed in a banker’s box for decades. In the … Continue reading 36 years later I finally got turned on to the rockin’ glory of Warren Zevon’s “Even a Dog Can Shake Hands”

Alannah Currie says that the Thompson Twins want to make music for the whole world

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 1984 By Steve Newton The last time the Thompson Twins played Vancouver they were a support act for the Police. But since that visit the British trio have hit it big with their Into the Gap album–which debuted on the U.K. charts at #1–and are now full-fledged headliners in their … Continue reading Alannah Currie says that the Thompson Twins want to make music for the whole world

When Graham Brown plugs in his Telecaster he’s 12 years old again

rob bubek photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 23, 2022 By Steve Newton When I try calling Graham Brown at the time specified for our interview there’s no answer, so I leave a message and try again a few minutes later. This time we do connect, only to have the local rocker apologize and explain that … Continue reading When Graham Brown plugs in his Telecaster he’s 12 years old again

That time Dave Alvin told me what it was like being in the Pleasure Barons with Country Dick Montana and Mojo Nixon

By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed American singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin, a founding member of the Blasters, four times over the years, ’cause he’s just plain great. This is the first time, back in November of 1991, when he was touring behind his second solo album, Blue Blvd. At one point in the conversation I … Continue reading That time Dave Alvin told me what it was like being in the Pleasure Barons with Country Dick Montana and Mojo Nixon

Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington got hooked on Pink Floyd at age 13

By Steve Newton Brit Floyd guitarist-vocalist and musical director Damian Darlington got his first guitar as a Christmas present when he was 11 years old, but it took him a couple of years before he really got into it. In the meantime, he bought his first-ever album (Eagles Live), which was followed by the purchase … Continue reading Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington got hooked on Pink Floyd at age 13

Simon Townshend says that if people don’t like his brother Pete producing his LP, they can stuff it

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 17, 1984 By Steve Newton “As soon as I got Pete involved at the production level, and not the musical, it was as if I’d stood up and said, ‘Look, I’m Simon Townshend. My brother Pete just happens to be producing my album. If you don’t like it, … Continue reading Simon Townshend says that if people don’t like his brother Pete producing his LP, they can stuff it

Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 1984 By Steve Newton In support of their new LP, Folk of the ’80s (Part III), Men Without Hats will be performing at the UBC War Memorial Gym tonight (Friday, August 24). Best known for encouraging people to dance (“The Safety Dance”), the group–composed of brothers Ivan, Colin, and Stefan … Continue reading Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass

Leslie West dead at 75: the Mountain man leaves a legacy of timeless guitar riffs and killer tone

By Steve Newton 2020 is apparently not done taking our guitar heroes. After the devastating death of Eddie Van Halen on October 6 of this year, now we’ve lost another six-string legend in Leslie West. As I reported yesterday, West had been on a ventilator the last couple of days, after his heart gave out, … Continue reading Leslie West dead at 75: the Mountain man leaves a legacy of timeless guitar riffs and killer tone

Joss Stone says that she wants to open doors with soul and spread the music far and wide

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 26, 2012 By Steve Newton It must be pretty sweet being Joss Stone these days. When I hook up with the 25-year-old millionaire soul-pop superstar she’s on her cell at a café in Brussels, Belgium, where she’s doing some TV shows and concerts. The next day, Stone will be popping over … Continue reading Joss Stone says that she wants to open doors with soul and spread the music far and wide

10 minutes on the phone with Ronnie James Dio during the Sacred Heart Tour of 1985

By Steve Newton Last night on Crave I watched the Ronnie James Dio documentary Dio: Dreamers Never Die, which I thought did a fine job of detailing the heavy-metal singer’s career in music. I especially enjoyed hearing the commentary from metal musicians like Deep Purple’s Roger Glover, Quiet Riot’s Rudy Sarzo, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Ronnie James Dio during the Sacred Heart Tour of 1985

Dave Chisholm recalls those crazy beer-drenched days in the early ’80s when the Fins were the house band at Vancouver’s Marble Arch

donna hagerman photos If you went out drinkin’ in downtown Vancouver in the early 1980s, and you weren’t too much of a fancy pants, you may have found yourself down at the Marble Arch. It was located at 518 Richards, so a short walk to concert venues like the Commodore, Orpheum, Railway Club, and Queen … Continue reading Dave Chisholm recalls those crazy beer-drenched days in the early ’80s when the Fins were the house band at Vancouver’s Marble Arch