That time I asked Robert Cray if he was surprised that Eric Clapton covered his song “Bad Influence” on August

By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed Robert Cray four times, ’cause I reckon he’s one of the tastiest guitarists who’s ever strapped on a Strat. This was the first time, back in January of 1996, when he was touring behind his Some Rainy Morning album. Ten years earlier Cray had gotten a bit of a boost … Continue reading That time I asked Robert Cray if he was surprised that Eric Clapton covered his song “Bad Influence” on August

That time Al Stewart told me that he adored Don Henley’s latest hit, “The Boys of Summer”

By Steve Newton I first got turned on to Scottish-born singer-songwriter Al Stewart when I heard his catchy 1976 hit single “Year of the Cat”, from the LP of the same name. I bought his next album, Time Passages, and I liked that one as well. Then I went back and checked out his earlier, … Continue reading That time Al Stewart told me that he adored Don Henley’s latest hit, “The Boys of Summer”

Metallica announces new album to be released on my birthday, but won’t play Vancouver on world tour

By Steve Newton Metallica, arguably the world’s greatest-ever heavy-metal band, has announced that it will release its next album on my birthday. The Bay Area headbangers will unleash their 12th studio album, 72 Seasons, on April 14, 2023. “72 seasons,” says Metallica singer-guitarist James Hetfield in a press release. “The first 18 years of our … Continue reading Metallica announces new album to be released on my birthday, but won’t play Vancouver on world tour

David Wilcox would rather be known as a rocker than a bluesman

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1985 By Steve Newton When David Wilcox was 12 years old he played his first gig at a club for recently released convicts. As he recalls, the ex-cons weren’t particularly impressed. “It was a good introduction to what came later,” says Wilcox with a laugh. “It was pretty funky. I … Continue reading David Wilcox would rather be known as a rocker than a bluesman

That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend told me that he and Steve Vai give each other ulcers

Actual footage of Townsend giving Vai an ulcer By Steve Newton Back in September of 1993 I did my second interview with Canadian metal genius Devin Townsend. He was only 21 at the time, and had recently joined up with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai to record the vocals for Vai’s Sex & Religion album and … Continue reading That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend told me that he and Steve Vai give each other ulcers

The 15 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s GM Place

jeff vinnick photo By Steve Newton When the Vancouver Canucks moved their home rink from East Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum to downtown’s GM Place in 1995, “the Garage” became the main place to see arena-rock shows in the city–at least until the name was changed to Rogers Arena in 2010. During that 15-year period I saw … Continue reading The 15 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s GM Place

That time Joey Molland told me about the “crooks” that stole a ton of royalty money from Badfinger

By Steve Newton Way back in November of 1987 I did an interview with Joey Molland of Badfinger. I’ve loved Badfinger ever since I first heard them doing that 1969 song that everybody thought was the Beatles, “Come and Get It”, from the film The Magic Christian. Joey Molland wasn’t in the band then, but … Continue reading That time Joey Molland told me about the “crooks” that stole a ton of royalty money from Badfinger

That time Devin Townsend told me that he thought the guitar was a stupid instrument

By Steve Newton Back in September of 1993 I did my second interview with Canadian rocker Devin Townsend, who has since gone on to become one of the most prolific and admired metal musicians in the world. He’s been called a musical genius, and deservedly so. But back in ’93, when he was 21, Townsend … Continue reading That time Devin Townsend told me that he thought the guitar was a stupid instrument

That time I called Allan Holdsworth up to talk guitar and he just wanted to chat about beer

By Steve Newton Back in November of 1983 I did my first interview with British guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, when he was touring with his band I.O.U. His latest album at the time was the six-song EP Road Games, and one point in the conversation I asked him about the “special thanks” on the back … Continue reading That time I called Allan Holdsworth up to talk guitar and he just wanted to chat about beer

That time Greg Martin told me how the Kentucky Headhunters came to record their new song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”

By Steve Newton I interviewed Kentucky Headhunters lead guitarist Greg Martin in April of 1991, shortly after the release of the band’s second album, Electric Barnyard. That was the one with their cover of the 1950s radio hit “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”. When I was a kid I used to run around with my … Continue reading That time Greg Martin told me how the Kentucky Headhunters came to record their new song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”

That time John Cougar told me that he was really influenced by the ballsiness of Prince

By Steve Newton I interviewed John Mellencamp for the first time in May of 1983, when he was still known as John Cougar. At the time he was touring behind his blockbuster American Fool album, and at one point in the conversation I asked him about his upcoming album, Uh-huh, which would hit record stores … Continue reading That time John Cougar told me that he was really influenced by the ballsiness of Prince

Album review: Cadillac Tramps, It’s Allright (1994)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 19, 1994 By Steve Newton Maybe you’ve seen that quick shot of hefty Cadillac Tramps singer Gabby Gaborno doing his grizzly-bear-with-shades impression during one of those manic “I Am Canadian” beer commercials. Well, Molson goofed, because the Cadillac Tramps ain’t Canadian–they’re from Orange County, California. The good news … Continue reading Album review: Cadillac Tramps, It’s Allright (1994)

Album review: Pride & Glory, Pride & Glory (1994)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 5, 1994 By Steve Newton It comes as somewhat of a surprise that Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde is a dyed-in-the-swamp southern-rock maniac, but the New Jersey native is at the forefront of the current trend toward repopularizing the style epitomized by the Allman Brothers Band. On its self-titled debut release, … Continue reading Album review: Pride & Glory, Pride & Glory (1994)