photo by the Newt ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 2012 By Steve Newton When Roger Waters brought Pink Floyd's The Wall to Rogers Arena in December 2010, he delivered nothing short of a prog-rock spectacle for the ages. His mastery of live sound, lighting technique, state-of-the-art video, and immense staging combined to bring that monumental 1979 concept album's … Continue reading Roger Waters returns to Vancouver and makes The Wall his biggest ever
Tag: 2012
Nick Tweed-Simmons swears he’ll never follow in his father’s musical footsteps
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 30, 2012 By Steve Newton How hard would it be to be Nick Tweed-Simmons, son of rock legend Gene Simmons and former Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed? Well, financially, it wouldn’t be hard at all. Anyone who’s seen the reality-TV show he costars in—Gene Simmons Family Jewels—knows that they’re doin’ all right in that … Continue reading Nick Tweed-Simmons swears he’ll never follow in his father’s musical footsteps
Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 9, 2012 By Steve Newton American songwriting legend Steve Earle played Coquitlam's Red Robinson Show Theatre last night, and--as always--took no prisoners as far as his political beliefs are concerned. One of the many highlights of the solo acoustic show was the performance of "Little Emperor", a song off Earle's latest … Continue reading Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam
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
Buddy Guy brings fiery Chicago blues to Coquitlam, but can’t outshine opener Jonny Lang
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 29, 2012 Blues legend Buddy Guy brought a taste of Chicago to the wilds of Coquitlam last night (September 28), but the verifiable guitar legend was outshone by a "kid" 45 years younger than himself. Jonny Lang opened the show with an hour-long set that included a showstopping version of … Continue reading Buddy Guy brings fiery Chicago blues to Coquitlam, but can’t outshine opener Jonny Lang
Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray goes into his own little world on stage
It was 30 years ago this month that Iron Maiden played its first-ever Vancouver concert, sharing the stage with Scorpions on July 21, 1982.
Metallica’s lateness redeemed by sheer metal greatness in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 25, 2012 By Steve Newton Metallica put on a stunning show at Rogers Arena last night (August 24), but, man, did it ever take them a while to get going. The L.A. metal legends—who play the same venue tonight (August 25) and again on Monday (at a special $5-per-ticket film … Continue reading Metallica’s lateness redeemed by sheer metal greatness in Vancouver
Joe Walsh brings regular-guy charm and killer James Gang riffs to Coquitlam
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 8, 2012 American rock great Joe Walsh played Coquitlam's Red Robinson Show Theatre last night (September 7), and pretty well packed the place. Judging by the rabid response it got, the vast majority of the crowd of mostly 40- and 50-somethings were hoping to hell he'd play the 1970 James … Continue reading Joe Walsh brings regular-guy charm and killer James Gang riffs to Coquitlam
Paul McCartney leaves Vancouver’s Beatles fans with little to complain about
Last night Paul McCartney played Vancouver for the first time since the Beatles played Empire Stadium in August of ’64.
Big Jim Sullivan ponders the “forbidden zones” of the guitar
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 10, 2012 I wasn't very familiar with the name Big Jim Sullivan until I started hearing it early last month, after the English session guitarist died on October 2 of complications from heart disease and diabetes at the age of 71. The name started popping up in the rock press, … Continue reading Big Jim Sullivan ponders the “forbidden zones” of the guitar
Rock-guitar legend Ronnie Montrose dies at the age of 64
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 4, 2012 I was shocked to find out, just minutes ago, that one of my top guitar heroes from the '70s, Ronnie Montrose, died yesterday (March 3). He passed away after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. (As I--and most everybody else--learned later, Montrose actually died from a self-inflicted gunshot … Continue reading Rock-guitar legend Ronnie Montrose dies at the age of 64