That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album

By Steve Newton I’ve been reading Mick Wall’s 2012 book about AC/DC, Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be, and today I got to the part about the band recording 1983’s Flick of the Switch, which the author reckons is AC/DC’s worst album ever. I will admit it’s no Powerage, but hey–the title track is … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album

Album review: Van Halen, 5150 (1986)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 11, 1986 By Steve Newton One of the most talked about lineup changes in rock these days involves Van Halen’s switch from David Lee Roth to Sammy Hagar. “Nobody could replace Diamond Dave”, said some, while others pointed to the fine work Hagar did with influential metal band Montrose. Well the … Continue reading Album review: Van Halen, 5150 (1986)

James Reyne soars as a solo artist after doing the Australian Crawl

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 1988 By Steve Newton Have you ever heard of a fellow named James Reyne? Unless you’re from Australia–or were a big fan of the now-defunct Australian Crawl–you probably don’t recognize the name. But you will in the future, if Reyne’s solo career follows the same pattern that has brought such Aussie bands … Continue reading James Reyne soars as a solo artist after doing the Australian Crawl

That time I asked legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn if Bob Rock had tried stealing his AC/DC project, The Razors Edge

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

Dickey Betts on the “disco shit” of the ’80s and the nauseating music the Allmans made for Clive Davis

By Steve Newton Hey, as you may be aware, I never tire of posting little audio snippets from my four interviews with guitar legend Dickey Betts. Here’s one from 2001 where Dickey, always honest and to the point, explains how the Allman Brothers broke up in the early ’80s to let disco run its course–but … Continue reading Dickey Betts on the “disco shit” of the ’80s and the nauseating music the Allmans made for Clive Davis

That time Dickey Betts told me to quit being so “reclusive” and come meet him after the show

kirk west photo By Steve Newton I did my fourth interview with Dickey Betts back in 2001, after he’d been kicked out of the Allman Brothers and was touring with his own band, promoting the Let’s Get Together album. As our “phoner” wound down, he invited me to come back and meet him after the … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me to quit being so “reclusive” and come meet him after the show

Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 7, 1988 By Steve Newton Two nights after Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler sailed through town, on September 30, a couple more British rock greats visited. While not as widely known, Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson have a following that is just as devoted, and they gave a … Continue reading Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver

That time I asked Carlos Santana who his favourite guitar player was

By Steve Newton When I interview the world’s greatest guitarists, I often like to ask them who they think is the world’s greatest guitarist. Carlos Santana is definitely one of the best ever, so when I interviewed him back in 2001 I put the question to him. Have a listen: To hear my full interview … Continue reading That time I asked Carlos Santana who his favourite guitar player was

That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she had a favourite tune on Just Won’t Burn

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

Blue Öyster Cult’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

That time Geoff Tate told me that making Queensrÿche’s prog-metal masterpiece, Operation: Mindcrime, was a “magical” experience

By Steve Newton Queensrÿche’s Operation: Mindcrime is one of my favourite progressive hard-rock albums of all time. It’s right up there with Rush’s best work, if you ask me. When I did my first interview with Queensrÿche frontman Geoff Tate back in 1991 the band was touring behind its hit Empire album, but playing Mindcrime … Continue reading That time Geoff Tate told me that making Queensrÿche’s prog-metal masterpiece, Operation: Mindcrime, was a “magical” experience

That time I called Susan Tedeschi to talk about Just Won’t Burn and her mom said she was in the tub

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

That time I asked Dickey Betts what Allman Brothers tunes he was playing with his own band

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