Joe Satriani likes Uli Jon Roth’s “beautiful sounding” Sky guitar, but figures 24 frets are enough for him

By Steve Newton Back in 2016 I went and saw Uli Jon Roth’s Ultimate Guitar Experience in Vancouver, and man–the things the German guitar wizard and ex-Scorp can do on his 32-fret Sky guitar are something to behold. So a few weeks later when I interviewed Joe Satriani for the sixth or seventh time I asked him what … Continue reading Joe Satriani likes Uli Jon Roth’s “beautiful sounding” Sky guitar, but figures 24 frets are enough for him

That time Ronnie James Dio told me about the entity that tried to kill his wife during the recording of Rainbow’s Long Live Rock and Roll

By Steve Newton Back in 2016, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Rainbow Rising–one of the greatest metal albums of all time–I posted blogs with soundbites from interviews I did with former Rainbow members Ronnie James Dio (in 1985) and Tony Carey (in ’84). The first one I did on Carey did not go … Continue reading That time Ronnie James Dio told me about the entity that tried to kill his wife during the recording of Rainbow’s Long Live Rock and Roll

That time Danny Gatton told me that he thought Lenny Breau was the biggest “Humbler” of all time

By Steve Newton Back in April of 1993 I called Danny Gatton up at his home in Washington, D.C., to interview him in advance of a show in Vancouver as part of Music West. When he picked up the phone he’d been busy cleaning out his garage, and told me that he’d come across a huge … Continue reading That time Danny Gatton told me that he thought Lenny Breau was the biggest “Humbler” of all time

John Cougar Mellencamp may be little but he’s no bastard on the Scarecrow Tour in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 25, 1986 By Steve Newton He calls himself Little Bastard on his album productions credits, and after meeting John Cougar Mellencamp backstage before last week’s (April 16) Coliseum show, I half-understood why. He’s not a bastard. On the contrary he seemed like a very nice fellow, all smiles as he shook … Continue reading John Cougar Mellencamp may be little but he’s no bastard on the Scarecrow Tour in Vancouver

Rudy Sarzo talks Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads while Quiet Riot storms the charts

By Steve Newton One day back in the summer of ’83 I stopped by the Vancouver offices of CBS Records and did an interview with Rudy Sarzo, who was one of the top hard rock/metal bassists around at the time. Sarzo was in town promoting Metal Health, the new release from his band Quiet Riot, which … Continue reading Rudy Sarzo talks Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads while Quiet Riot storms the charts

That time I asked Joe Satriani to pick five “desert islands discs” and he went 80 percent Hendrix

By Steve Newton Back in 2016 I interviewed one of my fave guitarists, Joe Satriani, for the seventh time. I’m always curious what the world’s finest pickers would choose as their “desert island discs”–the albums they’d choose if they were ever stranded like Gilligan, but with some vinyl and a killer stereo. And electricity, of … Continue reading That time I asked Joe Satriani to pick five “desert islands discs” and he went 80 percent Hendrix

Roy Buchanan lets his soul scream in Vancouver

me ‘n Roy hangin’ at the Pump ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 14, 1986 By Steve Newton There were some people who felt that Roy Buchanan played way too loud and not nearly enough at the Town Pump last Monday (February 10). Then there were others–like myself–who could care less about such things as long as … Continue reading Roy Buchanan lets his soul scream in Vancouver

That time Ronnie James Dio got me and my nephew Jeff backstage on the Sacred Heart Tour

By Steve Newton I did my one and only interview with Ronnie James Dio back in December of 1985. The metal legend, 43 at the time, was headed to Vancouver for a show on his Sacred Heart tour, with opening act Yngwie Malmsteen‘s Rising Force. I’d been a fan of his since I first heard Elf … Continue reading That time Ronnie James Dio got me and my nephew Jeff backstage on the Sacred Heart Tour

That time Roger Glover told me that Deep Purple’s Mark II lineup was offered $2 million to reunite for one show

By Steve Newton Back in the spring of ’85, before the reunited Mark II lineup of Deep Purple played Vancouver on its Perfect Strangers Tour, I interviewed Purple bassist Roger Glover. At one point in the conversation I asked him why it took so long for the Mark II lineup to reunite, which led to … Continue reading That time Roger Glover told me that Deep Purple’s Mark II lineup was offered $2 million to reunite for one show

Tony Carey not happy that I blogged about his ancient issues with Rainbow

By Steve Newton Whoa! I woke up to an angry Facebook message from rocker Tony Carey this morning. Turns out the singer, songwriter, and keyboard great was none too impressed with the blog I posted yesterday, which included audio from 1984 of him denouncing his previous band, Rainbow, and in particular guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. “Why … Continue reading Tony Carey not happy that I blogged about his ancient issues with Rainbow

That time Uli Jon Roth told me that he’d most like to jam with David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore, and Jeff Beck

By Steve Newton Back in 2016 I interviewed Uli Jon Roth for the first time ever, and made sure to ask him one of the more burning questions guitar-freaks might have for the legendary picker. I knew he’d played with some of the world’s greatest guitarists over the years–heck, at the time he was touring … Continue reading That time Uli Jon Roth told me that he’d most like to jam with David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore, and Jeff Beck

AC/DC f***ed up: they shoulda hired Jimmy Barnes instead of Axl Rose

By Steve Newton By now the rock world is fully abuzz with the official announcement from AC/DC that Axl Rose from Guns N’ Roses will be the new singer for the rest of its Rock or Bust World Tour. They could’ve done better, if you ask me. I don’t think Axl Rose’s voice is close … Continue reading AC/DC f***ed up: they shoulda hired Jimmy Barnes instead of Axl Rose

Uli Jon Roth recalls the friction between Joe Satriani and Michael Schenker on the 1998 G3 European tour

By Steve Newton Back in 2016 I had a nice chat with German guitar maestro Uli Jon Roth. As we were talking about Uli Jon Roth’s Ultimate Guitar Experience–the tour he was on with Jennifer Batten and Andy Timmons–I mentioned a previous guitar tour he was part of, the G3 European Tour of 1998. That … Continue reading Uli Jon Roth recalls the friction between Joe Satriani and Michael Schenker on the 1998 G3 European tour