By Steve Newton There's no denying that Ronnie James Dio did an incredible job replacing Ozzy Osbourne as the singer in Black Sabbath. The moment I heard "Neon Nights", the opening track on Dio's first Sabbath album, Heaven and Hell, I knew the heavy-metal stars had aligned. The music had way more power and feel … Continue reading That time Ronnie James Dio got ticked off when I asked him about stepping into Ozzy Osbourne’s shoes in Black Sabbath
Tag: 1985
That time Kate Bush told me about creating the music video for her new single “Running Up That Hill”
By Steve Newton Back in November of 1985 I did a phone interview with Kate Bush, who was promoting her new album The Hounds of Love at the time. Three months earlier she'd released the single "Running Up That Hill", which I really liked, but I hadn't yet seen the new video for it. So … Continue reading That time Kate Bush told me about creating the music video for her new single “Running Up That Hill”
That time Donald “Duck” Dunn told me about working with Eric Clapton and John “the Godfather” Belushi
By Steve Newton Back in 1985 Eric Clapton played a show in Vancouver, but he wasn't doing any interviews with the likes of me. I was happy as hell just to chat with bass-guitar legend Donald "Duck" Dunn, who you may recall for his work with Booker T & the MG's. During the course of our … Continue reading That time Donald “Duck” Dunn told me about working with Eric Clapton and John “the Godfather” Belushi
Ronnie James Dio: the Lost Interview of 1985, an Ear of Newt exclusive
By Steve Newton On December 20, 1985, Ronnie James Dio called me up at home and we chatted for 20 minutes or so. How cool was that? The legendary heavy-metal artist was doing press promoting his Sacred Heart tour, which was scheduled to play Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum on December 28, with guest Yngwie Malmsteen. We talked … Continue reading Ronnie James Dio: the Lost Interview of 1985, an Ear of Newt exclusive
Mötley Crüe plays Vancouver on the Theatre of Pain tour, Nikki Sixx cranks AC/DC backstage
mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 22, 1985 By Steve Newton "Excuse me women...I mean ladies," said Nikki Sixx as he pushed through the hordes of groupies backstage at the Coliseum last week (November 12). The Mötley Crüe bassist wasn't zeroing in on anyone in particular--his aim was the group's massive … Continue reading Mötley Crüe plays Vancouver on the Theatre of Pain tour, Nikki Sixx cranks AC/DC backstage
Sorry Canada, but Bob Geldof’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” beats Bryan Adams’ “Tears Are Not Enough”
By Steve Newton Way back on October 4, 1985, the Tears Are Not Enough music documentary was released in Canadian theatres. You might have seen it. More likely you only heard the song, which was Canada's response to USA for Africa's "We Are the World", which in turn was the United States' response to Band Aid's "Do … Continue reading Sorry Canada, but Bob Geldof’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” beats Bryan Adams’ “Tears Are Not Enough”
Mark Knopfler’s scintillating guitar steals the show as Dire Straits performs on Brothers in Arms tour
mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 27, 1985 By Steve Newton "Rock and roll Vancouver," announced Mark Knopfler half-way through Monday's (September 23) Dire Straits show at the Pacific Coliseum. And when his band swung into the twist-and-shout rocker "Walk of Life", the crowd did as they were told. A mass … Continue reading Mark Knopfler’s scintillating guitar steals the show as Dire Straits performs on Brothers in Arms tour
Buddy Guy refuses to play “Boogie Chillen”, gets pissed at Junior Wells, and walks off stage in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 27, 1985 By Steve Newton Buddy Guy and Junior Wells brought their hearty brand of Chicago blues to the Commodore last Friday and Saturday (September 20 and 21). Buddy's backup musicians warmed things up with the Stones' "Miss You" before Guy himself stepped out and tore into a bit of Elmore … Continue reading Buddy Guy refuses to play “Boogie Chillen”, gets pissed at Junior Wells, and walks off stage in Vancouver
Long John Baldry on Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, and not wanting to be known as The King of Rock and Roll
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 13, 1985 By Steve Newton Long John Baldry is a giant among British blues-rockers--and that's not only because he stands 6 feet 7-1/2 inches tall. In his 26-year career the singer has played with stars such as Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, and Elton John, among many others, and performed on over … Continue reading Long John Baldry on Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, and not wanting to be known as The King of Rock and Roll
Stevie Ray Vaughan tears it up in Vancouver, says “serious trouble indeed”
mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 1985 By Steve Newton Since he flew onto the international music scene in 1983, people have been raving on and on about Texas guitar wizard Stevie Ray Vaughan. After his startling shows at the Commodore last week (August 29 and 31), you can bet that local blues-rock … Continue reading Stevie Ray Vaughan tears it up in Vancouver, says “serious trouble indeed”
My first interview with Stevie Ray Vaughan, when he sang me three lines of an Earl King song
photo by Mila Geran ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 1985 By Stevie Ross Newton Texas blues guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan was in town last Saturday, for two sold out shows at the Commodore Ballroom. Prior to his appearance I caught up with Stevie, and asked him about his upcoming LP Soul to Soul, his … Continue reading My first interview with Stevie Ray Vaughan, when he sang me three lines of an Earl King song
Ann Wilson on making the Heart album: “Lookout! Three gals and a bottle of Dubonnet!”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 16, 1985 By Steve Newton It's been ten years since Heart recorded their debut album Dreamboat Annie at Vancouver's Mushroom Studios. At a time when Saturday Night Fever was running rampant that LP--with songs like "Magic Man" and "Crazy On You"--struck an important blow for guitar-driven rock and roll. With raven-haired … Continue reading Ann Wilson on making the Heart album: “Lookout! Three gals and a bottle of Dubonnet!”
Guitarists from Exodus, Exciter, and Metal Church weigh in on the heaviness of metal in 1985
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 2, 1985 By Steve Newton Blue Oyster Cult's Tyranny and Mutation. Aerosmith's Rocks. UFO's Phenomenon. The Montrose debut. Back in the early to mid-'70s those albums forged a sound that critic Lester Bangs called "heavy metal". They were dynamic and forceful, fast, loud, and proud. The bands that … Continue reading Guitarists from Exodus, Exciter, and Metal Church weigh in on the heaviness of metal in 1985