It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Öyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 12, 1993 By Steve Newton In last week’s paper we ran a little panel discussion wherein various local music experts put forth their thoughts on the pros and con of ’70s rock. Strong melodies, simplicity, and a positive outlook were pointed to as favourable aspects of that musical era, while the … Continue reading It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Öyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver

Steve Hackett says that everyone he’s ever played with in Genesis has managed to write at least one incredible song

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 1993 By Steve Newton Whatever happened to Steve Hackett? Good question. Considering how visible all four of his former bandmates in Genesis have been, Hackett has been conspicuously absent from the music scene. Or at least it seems that way here in North America. But in actual fact, the 43-year-old … Continue reading Steve Hackett says that everyone he’s ever played with in Genesis has managed to write at least one incredible song

My one and only interview with bass legend Donald “Duck” Dunn

  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

Taj Mahal wasn’t so much shocked as pissed off by Jesse Ed Davis’s death

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 24, 2013 By Steve Newton When music legend Taj Mahal calls from a tour stop in Phoenix, it’s been just a few days since he played Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York. He’d been asked to play the event before, and never had the time, … Continue reading Taj Mahal wasn’t so much shocked as pissed off by Jesse Ed Davis’s death

Duane Allman’s slide was one of the first sounds Derek Trucks remembers

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 13, 2012 By Steve Newton Derek Trucks might not be the most recognizable name in the world as far as guitar heroes go, but the 33-year-old picker in the Tedeschi Trucks Band is doing all right lately in the accolade department. His group’s debut album, Revelator, won a Grammy this year for … Continue reading Duane Allman’s slide was one of the first sounds Derek Trucks remembers

Glenn Tipton says Judas Priest was shocked by K.K. Downing’s departure

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 26, 2011 By Steve Newton When Judas Priest announced its final world tour last month headbangers far and wide, young and ancient, stained their black-leather pants with a torrent of tears. The British metal icons had been bringing the noise to its followers—off and (mostly) on—since 1969, traversing the globe and … Continue reading Glenn Tipton says Judas Priest was shocked by K.K. Downing’s departure

Carlos Santana says you get the tone with what you’re thinking

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 2011 By Steve Newton There’s a quote on Carlos Santana’s official website that reads: “When you love what you do, you don’t have to work a day in your life.” If that’s true, then anyone who’s heard Santana effortlessly channel the sound of pure joy through his instrument knows that he hasn’t … Continue reading Carlos Santana says you get the tone with what you’re thinking

Soundgarden’s grungey return leaves little to complain about in Vancouver

photo by rebecca blissett ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 30, 2011 By Steve Newton Due to its proximity to Seattle, Vancouver has enjoyed a special kinship to the famed grunge bands of the Emerald City. Before making it big the plaid-clad lads in Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, hungry for gigs, would head north to … Continue reading Soundgarden’s grungey return leaves little to complain about in Vancouver

Alabama-bred Jason Isbell learned a lot from “The Swampers” at Muscle Shoals Sound

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 8, 2011 By Steve Newton Being from Alabama certainly has its benefits, one being the fact that you can really put your heart into it when you sing the chorus of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s biggest hit. But for Jason Isbell, one of the joys of growing up in northern Alabama was being … Continue reading Alabama-bred Jason Isbell learned a lot from “The Swampers” at Muscle Shoals Sound

The Drive-By Truckers’ country-soul mojo gets invigorated by Eddie Hinton on Go-Go Boots

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 9, 2011 By Steve Newton Last year the Drive-By Truckers released The Big To-Do, a raucous collection of southern-fried alt-country tunes highlighted by the exuberant single “Birthday Boy”. A totally different vibe typifies the band’s new album, Go-Go Boots, which is surprising since its material was recorded during the same sessions as its … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers’ country-soul mojo gets invigorated by Eddie Hinton on Go-Go Boots

Aerosmith shows Vancouver it can still make it through anything

photo by the Newt ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 17, 2010 Thursday (September 16) was a big night in Vancouver for legendary guitar acts from the ’70s. Over on the North Shore you had Johnny Winter at the Centennial Theatre, while, downtown, Aerosmith was packing them in at Rogers Arena. I don’t know how the albino blues-rocker … Continue reading Aerosmith shows Vancouver it can still make it through anything

Booker T. Jones hooked up with the Drive-By Truckers after meeting Jason Isbell at SXSW

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 2009 By Steve Newton In the music business, having the right manager is huge, as Hammond B3 legend Booker T. Jones recently learned. Before recording his latest album, Potato Hole, Jones found a new manager in Dave Bartlett, who hooked him up with the Drive-By Truckers, the raggedy southern-rock outfit that … Continue reading Booker T. Jones hooked up with the Drive-By Truckers after meeting Jason Isbell at SXSW