Guitar god Danny Gatton says Lenny Breau is the biggest humbler of all time

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 22, 1993 By Steve Newton Guitar World magazine called him “the world’s greatest unknown guitarist”. Guitar Player ran his photo on the cover with his face behind a mask, while inside they asked: “What famous guitarist could outplay him?” So how come virtuoso guitarman Danny Gatton is so underexposed? “Well, there’s … Continue reading Guitar god Danny Gatton says Lenny Breau is the biggest humbler of all time

Muddy Waters didn’t want George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone”, but Bo Diddley did

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 30, 2014 By Steve Newton When you interview rockers on the road you always try to find out where they’re located, so you can write “When so-and-so calls from wherever” and establish a setting for the conversation. But when I contact blues-rocker George Thorogood–who plays the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver this … Continue reading Muddy Waters didn’t want George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone”, but Bo Diddley did

Eddie’s off-the-cuff raunch blasts save Van Halen’s ass while Jimmy Page watches from the wings

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 21, 1991 By Steve Newton Twice during Van Halen’s show at B.C. Place last Wednesday (November 13), shaggy-maned vocalist Sammy Hagar apologized for having throat problems and not being able to sing up to par. The second time, he added, “But the band’s hot, and that’s all that counts.” Yeah, sure, … Continue reading Eddie’s off-the-cuff raunch blasts save Van Halen’s ass while Jimmy Page watches from the wings

Stone Gossard says Pearl Jam’s hard work is all paying off

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 19, 1991 By Steve Newton When a rock writer does a lot of “phoners”—media slang for telephone interviews—with bands that are coming to town, once in a while wires get crossed. This scribbler was planning to speak to Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder last week, but guitarist Stone Gossard rang up … Continue reading Stone Gossard says Pearl Jam’s hard work is all paying off

The Cult’s Ian Astbury claims that touring with Lenny Kravitz is “a spiritual event”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 9, 1992 By Steve Newton Some folks might have been surprised to hear that the Cult is touring with Lenny Kravitz. After all, the straightforward, bluesy hard-rock of the former is quite distinct from the Beatlesque, ’60s pop styles of the latter. Or is it? According to Cult singer Ian Astbury, … Continue reading The Cult’s Ian Astbury claims that touring with Lenny Kravitz is “a spiritual event”

Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 30, 1992 By Steve Newton When I interviewed Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate last month, the singer had some intriguing things to say about an alleged “backlash” against progressive rock, which he felt had been initiated by the music industry in the ’70s. Tate uncovered a plot to undermine the growing popularity … Continue reading Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power

Call me a hick from Chilliwack, but I ain’t never seen no spiral haircut before

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 6, 1992 By Steve Newton What makes a rock writer desperate to score the reviewer’s assignment for a Red Hot Chili Peppers show? Could it be the group’s incendiary brand of primitive thrash-funk, or the fact that their live appearances are known far and wide for their unbridled energy and uncontrolled … Continue reading Call me a hick from Chilliwack, but I ain’t never seen no spiral haircut before

Pantera’s Vinnie Paul explains what makes Phil Anselmo so “F**king Hostile” on Vulgar Display of Power

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 27, 1992 By Steve Newton Would you let somebody punch you in the face for 300 bucks? Considering that knuckle sandwiches sometimes come for free, 300 smackers might not sound too bad. Then again, it depends who’s on the other end of the fist. And whether or not dental coverage is … Continue reading Pantera’s Vinnie Paul explains what makes Phil Anselmo so “F**king Hostile” on Vulgar Display of Power

Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert can deal with a number-one single at 25

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 19, 1992 By Steve Newton Some recording artists come off as self-absorbed types whose only musical interest involves what they’re doing. They claim not to listen to anybody else’s tunes, lest their precious art be influenced away from its predestined place in history. But sometimes you come across an open-minded recording … Continue reading Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert can deal with a number-one single at 25

Kim Mitchell hits 40 and just keeps getting wet with life

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 6, 1992 By Steve Newton Used to be that whenever you saw Kim Mitchell’s name on an album’s liner notes the name of his lyricist, Pye Dubois, would be right there beside it. But Dubois’ moniker is nowhere to be found on Mitchell’s latest release, Aural Fixations. Seems the long-time songwriting … Continue reading Kim Mitchell hits 40 and just keeps getting wet with life

Emerson, Lake and Palmer pine for the days of vinyl and art-led music

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 27, 1992 By Steve Newton MONTREAL—The only band I liked in the ’70s that didn’t have a rockin’ electric guitarist was Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Over the years, I’ve wondered what it was that attracted me to the British progressive band’s unique keyboards/bass/drums format and made me happy to slide its … Continue reading Emerson, Lake and Palmer pine for the days of vinyl and art-led music

Trouble guitarist Rick Wartell steals riffs from Chicago blues bands

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 29, 1992 By Steve Newton The Windy City is not generally regarded as a rock ’n’ roll hotbed. The U.S.A.’s third-largest metropolis seems much better known for Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks than big-selling boogie bands. “It’s not exactly a boom town for music,” admits Trouble guitarist/songwriter Rick Wartell. “But it seems … Continue reading Trouble guitarist Rick Wartell steals riffs from Chicago blues bands

Gordon Downie goes Fully Completely Canadian on new Tragically Hip album

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 26, 1992 By Steve Newton If there were a CRTC regulation that based Canadian content on actual lyrics as opposed to the citizenship of a song’s composer, the Tragically Hip would be the darlings of CanCon advocates across the country. On their new album, Fully Completely, the Hipsters mention everything from … Continue reading Gordon Downie goes Fully Completely Canadian on new Tragically Hip album