ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 22, 1984 By Steve Newton "Well that's artistic licence," remarked guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour. Over the phone from Toronto, Gilmour expanded on the motive behind "Murder", a song from his new LP About Face which contains the line, "By your own admission, you raised up the knife." "If I'd left a gun … Continue reading David Gilmour from Pink Floyd tells me “we don’t do drug songs”
Tag: 1984
Judas Priest’s Rob Halford calls heavy metal “a young musical force” in 1984
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 1984 By Steve Newton With their last two albums reaching platinum status (over one million copies sold), Judas Priest is one of the world's most popular heavy metal acts. The band's steel-throated singer, Rob Halford, phoned me from Portland, Oregon recently and elaborated on their new management, new album, and … Continue reading Judas Priest’s Rob Halford calls heavy metal “a young musical force” in 1984
Golden Earring’s Barry Hay on touring with the Who and getting beaten up with Ronnie Van Zant
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 20, 1984 By Steve Newton Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone/The place is a madhouse, feels like being cloned/My beacon's been moved under moon and star/Where am I to go now that I've gone too far/Soon you will come to know, when the bullet hits the bone Anyone who's … Continue reading Golden Earring’s Barry Hay on touring with the Who and getting beaten up with Ronnie Van Zant
Billy Idol on working with Tobe Hooper, getting on MTV, and showing off his Rebel Yell
By Steve Newton On March 29, 1984, Billy Idol played the University of British Columbia's War Memorial Gym. The 28-year-old Brit was touring behind his second solo album, Rebel Yell, which boasted the hit singles "Eyes Without a Face", "Flesh for Fantasy", "Catch My Fall", and the title track. His videos were getting a shitload of … Continue reading Billy Idol on working with Tobe Hooper, getting on MTV, and showing off his Rebel Yell
Ozzy Osbourne promises no bat-biting on the Bark at the Moon tour, “just a rock and roll show”
By Steve Newton On March 23, 1984, Ozzy Osbourne played Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum on a bill with guests Motley Crue and Waysted. The Ozzman was touring behind his third solo album, Bark at the Moon, which introduced primo guitarist Jake E. Lee to the hard-rock world. Looking back, that week in March of '84 was … Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne promises no bat-biting on the Bark at the Moon tour, “just a rock and roll show”
Taking a booze schmooze to Seattle to see the Scorps on the Love at First Sting Tour
By Steve Newton Wow. What a difference three decades makes. Thirty years ago today--on March 21, 1984--I was taking advantage of what we used to call a "schmooze", in the parlance of the times. Record albums were selling like hotcakes back then, and in its quest to move more mountains of vinyl the local branch … Continue reading Taking a booze schmooze to Seattle to see the Scorps on the Love at First Sting Tour
Kradle strives to put Vancouver on the melodic-metal map in 1984
On March 5, 1984, local glam-metal band Kradle played Burnaby's James Cowan Theatre with Black Knight. At the time I was the guy with the Judas Priest cap at the Georgia Straight who was covering the metal scene, and I was mightily impressed by these young lads from the suburbs of Vancouver. Looking back, they … Continue reading Kradle strives to put Vancouver on the melodic-metal map in 1984
The Pretenders learn to crawl in Vancouver in 1984
By Steve Newton On February 21, 1984, the Pretenders played a sold out show at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The band was touring behind one of its best albums ever, Learning to Crawl, which included such standout tracks as "Back on the Chain Gang", "My City Was Gone", and "Middle of the Road". The day … Continue reading The Pretenders learn to crawl in Vancouver in 1984
The Payola$’ Paul Hyde talks coproducer Mick Ronson and rock idols Ian Hunter and Alex Harvey
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 17, 1984 By Steve Newton On the strength of their third album, Hammer on a Drum, Vancouver's Payola$ have been nominated in nine categories of 1984's CARAS -sponsored Tribute to West Coast Music. As well as Group of the Year and Album of the Year, the group has two tunes in … Continue reading The Payola$’ Paul Hyde talks coproducer Mick Ronson and rock idols Ian Hunter and Alex Harvey
B.B. King plays Vancouver in 1984, Newt gets the scoop (and a photo)
bev davies photo By Steve Newton On January 21, 1984, B.B. King was in the midst of a two-week stand at the Plazazz Showroom in North Vancouver, and I got the thrill of my blues-loving life when I sat down with him in his hotel room and asked him a bunch of questions. Some of … Continue reading B.B. King plays Vancouver in 1984, Newt gets the scoop (and a photo)
Black Sabbath cancels Born Again show in Vancouver, Tony Iommi says “If I go deaf I go deaf”
By Steve Newton On January 19, 1984, Black Sabbath was scheduled to play the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. The British metal legends were touring behind their new album Born Again, their first and last one to feature Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan. Also in the lineup–though not on the album–was former Electric Light Orchestra drummer Bev Bevan. The show … Continue reading Black Sabbath cancels Born Again show in Vancouver, Tony Iommi says “If I go deaf I go deaf”
Mike Rutherford looks at his watch and says Genesis will probably make it through tonight’s show
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 6, 1984 By Steve Newton British supergroup Genesis--lead vocalist-drummer Phil Collins, keyboardist Tony Banks, and guitarist-bassist Mike Rutherford--will be appearing at the Pacific Coliseum this Monday, January 9. They will be joined in concert by touring members Daryl Stuermer on guitar and Chester Thompson on drums. I spoke to Rutherford over … Continue reading Mike Rutherford looks at his watch and says Genesis will probably make it through tonight’s show
B.B. King: The nicest bluesman I ever met
By Steve Newton I've interviewed a lot of incredible bluesmen over the years, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Albert Collins, and Roy Buchanan. But far and away the nicest was B.B. King. Famed Vancouver punk-rock photographer Bev Davies snapped this shot of me 'n' B.B. in his hotel room at the Plazazz Showroom in … Continue reading B.B. King: The nicest bluesman I ever met