ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 7, 2015 By Steve Newton For his latest album, American guitar hero Joe Bonamassa came up with one helluva great idea. Or at least his producer, Kevin Shirley, did. The plan was to record a one-off concert dedicated to the music of blues legends Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, and the … Continue reading Joe Bonamassa says “I’m not a full-time rock ‘n’ roll guy. I like blues.”
Tag: 2015
Former Elf and Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber dies of prostate cancer at 63
Rainbow 1975, L-R: Soule, Dio, Gruber, Blackmore, Driscoll By Steve Newton Craig Gruber, former bassist for '70s rock acts Elf and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, passed away yesterday after a battle with prostate cancer. News of Gruber's passing was posted on the Facebook page of his former Elf bandmate, keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule: Very sad to hear of … Continue reading Former Elf and Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber dies of prostate cancer at 63
Roxy Music vinyl box offers a second shot at ’70s art-rock
By Steve Newton I wasn't the artsiest rock-music fan to grow up in Chilliwack in the seventies; there was way too much Molly Hatchet in my vinyl diet for that. But every now and then I'd venture beyond guitar-based boogie and try something a little more involved, like Roxy Music. I remember buying Stranded when it came … Continue reading Roxy Music vinyl box offers a second shot at ’70s art-rock
Def Leppard’s “happy metal” makes Vancouver smile
By Steve Newton The first time Def Leppard played Vancouver was in July of 1983, on a coheadlining date at the Pacific Coliseum with '70s-rock holdouts Uriah Heep. This was six months after the release of its breakthrough Pyromania album, which spawned four singles--"Photograph", "Rock of Ages", "Foolin'", and "Too Late for Love"--and to date has sold … Continue reading Def Leppard’s “happy metal” makes Vancouver smile
Unfriended leaves viewers in pixelated purgatory
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, APRIL 18, 2015 By Steve Newton You've gotta give Blumhouse Productions credit: they sure know how to make big bucks off cheaply made horror flicks. The company is noted for 2007's Paranormal Activity, which was mostly shot in one bedroom, cost 15 grand to make, and grossed over $190 mil. Now Blumhouse … Continue reading Unfriended leaves viewers in pixelated purgatory
Fleetwood Mac brings one helluva drum sound to Vancouver
By Steve Newton Fleetwood Mac must really love Vancouver. The Anglo-American pop greats played Rogers Arena less than five months ago, on November 18, before returning for last night's gig at the same venue. Apparently the feeling is mutual, because hordes of Vancouverites were willing to drop $199 (plus service charges and fees) for the … Continue reading Fleetwood Mac brings one helluva drum sound to Vancouver
It Follows is the finest horror flick in years
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 25, 2015 By Steve Newton Every once in a while a low-budget indie fright flick comes along that makes everything on the major studios’ horror plate look like a pile of steaming crap. It Follows is that film, right now. Maika Monroe is note-perfect as Jay, a pretty 19-year-old college student getting … Continue reading It Follows is the finest horror flick in years
Limblifter’s Ryan Dahle developed his skill set out of survival
rebecca blissett photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 18, 2015 By Steve Newton You know that stereotype of the lazy rock musician who sleeps till noon, then sits around the rest of the day waiting to play a gig at night? Well, it sure as hell doesn’t fit Ryan Dahle. For most of his 44 years, … Continue reading Limblifter’s Ryan Dahle developed his skill set out of survival
Lynyrd Skynyrd blows the motherf***ing roof off the Hard Rock with a southern-fried riff-fest for the ages
photo by Kevin Statham. All other less-impressive photos by the Newt By Steve Newton Four of the seven Lynyrd Skynyrd members pictured on the cover of the band's phenomenal first album are dead. That's unfortunate, obviously; tragic, even. But if you saw the band play last night you might be tempted to say "So what?" … Continue reading Lynyrd Skynyrd blows the motherf***ing roof off the Hard Rock with a southern-fried riff-fest for the ages
Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown tear it up old-school in Vancouver
photos by the Newt ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 20, 2015 By Steve Newton When I interviewed blues-rock legend Kim Simmonds last week from his home outside Syracuse, New York, he revealed that there had been a time when, during his thirties, personal problems had cost him his ability to really play guitar. Lucky for him--and … Continue reading Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown tear it up old-school in Vancouver
Savoy Brown’s Kim Simmonds was meant to play guitar
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 17, 2015 By Steve Newton Fifty years is a long time. It sounds even longer when you call it half a century. But that’s how long Kim Simmonds has been carrying on the Savoy Brown name. It’s not like he’s been keeping close track, though. “I know it’s been a while,” … Continue reading Savoy Brown’s Kim Simmonds was meant to play guitar
Savoy Brown guitarist Kim Simmonds always comes back to the Les Paul
photo by Markus Hagner ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 16, 2015 By Steve Newton Savoy Brown was one of the top British blues-rock acts of the early seventies, making a mark with such albums as Raw Sienna (1970), Looking In ('70), Street Corner Talking ('71), and Hellbound Train ('72). For some reason the band was off my … Continue reading Savoy Brown guitarist Kim Simmonds always comes back to the Les Paul
Old Geezer’s still got it: Sabbath bassist arrested after altercation in Death Valley
By Steve Newton Apart from the ominous tone of its name—and the fierceness of its music—Black Sabbath as a band hasn't been known as the rowdiest of legendary rock acts. When I interviewed guitarist Tony Iommi way back in 1984 he seemed like the perfect gentleman on the phone. And despite his "let's-go-fucking-crazy!" approach to life in general, singer Ozzy … Continue reading Old Geezer’s still got it: Sabbath bassist arrested after altercation in Death Valley