By Steve Newton As a freelance music writer in Vancouver since 1982, I've seen a lotta concerts. Most of the arena shows I reviewed took place at the Pacific Coliseum, until the Vancouver Canucks found a new home downtown in 1995 at GM Place, which was renamed Rogers Arena in 2010. But I wasn't just … Continue reading 10 memorable concerts at 10 lost but unforgotten Vancouver venues
Tag: 86 Street Music Hall
Lindsay Mitchell’s guitar heroics help make the reformed Prism’s debut a night to remember
chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 5, 1988 By Steve Newton Considering all the media hype surrounding the recent Prism reformation--all of which hit the presses before the renewed lineup even had a chance to perform live--it wasn't surprising that armchair music critics and opponents of '70s rock were skeptical of … Continue reading Lindsay Mitchell’s guitar heroics help make the reformed Prism’s debut a night to remember
Bachman-Turner Overdrive gig draws comparisons to the horror of BTO freak Stephen King
photo by narking/Wikipedia ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 3, 1989 By Steve Newton In the book Kingdom of Fear, a collection of essays on the fiction of Stephen King, the top-selling horror author explained how he came up with the the pseudonym he used on novels like The Running Man and Thinner. Once … Continue reading Bachman-Turner Overdrive gig draws comparisons to the horror of BTO freak Stephen King
Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 7, 1988 By Steve Newton Two nights after Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler sailed through town, on September 30, a couple more British rock greats visited. While not as widely known, Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson have a following that is just as devoted, and they gave a … Continue reading Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson bring the best of Mott the Hoople to Vancouver
Edgar Winter and Leon Russell knock ’em down and drag ’em out in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 3, 1988 By Steve Newton I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I heard that Edgar Winter and Leon Russell were going to share the same stage, but I did know that I should definitely be there. I was aware that Winter was something of a wildman--prone to leaping about … Continue reading Edgar Winter and Leon Russell knock ’em down and drag ’em out in Vancouver
Blue Öyster Cult transforms into the “New York Guitar Army” in Vancouver
I once owned a belt buckle just like this, but I traded it for a see-through guitar. True story. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 20, 1988 By Steve Newton Blue Öyster Cult is the sort of band you either love or hate. There's no in-betweens. Nobody every says, "Oh, Blue Öyster Cult, they're … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult transforms into the “New York Guitar Army” in Vancouver
The Alarm shows its Strength and promise in Vancouver
chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 18, 1988 By Steve Newton One of my favourite albums of 1985 was Strength by the Alarm. It was a totally inspiring bit of guitar-driven rock that blended the bristling anger of the Clash with the soulful humanity of U2. I predicted back then that these guys would be … Continue reading The Alarm shows its Strength and promise in Vancouver
The Rainmakers bring a Tornado of rockingly righteous sounds to Vancouver
chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 29, 1988 By Steve Newton It didn't have quite the flat-out crash 'n' burn effect of Aerosmith's show five nights earlier, but the Rainmakers' gig at the 86 Street Music Hall last Monday (January 25) did sport a fair amount of energy--most of it coming from the stage, and not the small … Continue reading The Rainmakers bring a Tornado of rockingly righteous sounds to Vancouver
Pseudo Echo rock and rolls all night and turns Vancouver into Funkytown
chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 18, 1987 By Steve Newton Like most Aussie rock 'n' roll bands, Pseudo Echo shuns the fancy costume/big hairdo approach on which many British and American acts rely. Like their countrymen AC/DC, Angel City, and Midnight Oil, Pseudo Echo lets its own particular brand of music do the … Continue reading Pseudo Echo rock and rolls all night and turns Vancouver into Funkytown
Steve Earle takes Exit O back to Vancouver and delivers another hell-raisin’ good time
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 27, 1987 By Steve Newton Whenever Steve Earle hits town, you're pretty well guaranteed a hellraisin' good time. It happened at his Vancouver debut last May at the 86 Street Music Hall, and then again last Thursday (November 19) when he and his rip-snortin' band the Dukes returned to the Expo … Continue reading Steve Earle takes Exit O back to Vancouver and delivers another hell-raisin’ good time
The Beat Farmers’ Country Dick Montana offers tips for men and insight into The Pursuit of Happiness
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 6, 1987 By Steve Newton Devoted fans of serious music should make a point of being as far away as possible from the 86 Street Music Hall this Tuesday (November 10). However, those with less cultivated tastes--and a penchant for rowdy, party-time country rock with a twist--will find … Continue reading The Beat Farmers’ Country Dick Montana offers tips for men and insight into The Pursuit of Happiness
Mason Ruffner was inspired by Jimmy Page to inject fire into his Gypsy Blood
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 31, 1987 By Steve Newton The Fabulous Thunderbirds are from Austin, Texas. Mason Ruffner is from Forth Worth. The Fabulous Thunderbirds hit it big last year with an album produced by Dave Edmunds. Mason Ruffner is hitting it big this year with an album produced by Dave Edmunds. Is there a … Continue reading Mason Ruffner was inspired by Jimmy Page to inject fire into his Gypsy Blood
Former Metal Queen Lee Aaron says you can’t build a career on a pretty face
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 24, 1991 By Steve Newton Although Toronto’s Lee Aaron has been a fixture on the Canadian music scene since the early ’80s, her first taste of substantial commercial success didn’t come until her 1990 album, Bodyrock. It’s been a long road, but the 29-year-old singer—who plays 86 Street … Continue reading Former Metal Queen Lee Aaron says you can’t build a career on a pretty face