Tag: Blind Melon

That time Zakk Wylde told me that he wrote “Throwin’ It All Away” through the eyes of Shannon Hoon’s daughter

By Steve Newton Back in August of 1996 Zakk Wylde called me up from a payphone in Toronto to promote his debut solo album, Book of Shadows. One of the more touching tunes on that release was "Throwin' It All Away", a song inspired by his friendship with Blind Melon vocalist Shannon Hoon, who had … Continue reading That time Zakk Wylde told me that he wrote “Throwin’ It All Away” through the eyes of Shannon Hoon’s daughter

Zakk Wylde draws from Shannon Hoon’s O.D. for his heavy Book of Shadows

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 5, 1996 By Steve Newton Most hard-rock fans know Zakk Wylde as the young musician who helped rejuvenate metal veteran Ozzy Osbourne’s career by cowriting the hit “No More Tears”, in the process taking the coveted guitarist’s spot previously held by the likes of Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee. Others … Continue reading Zakk Wylde draws from Shannon Hoon’s O.D. for his heavy Book of Shadows

Blind Melon makes Soup in New Orleans but the Big Easy is “evil on a lot of levels”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 28, 1995 By Steve Newton Although I’ve never been there, I always pictured New Orleans as a carefree, laid-back location, where the relaxed residents would happily welcome visitors into a fantasyland of down-home music, to-die-for food, and endless celebration. But in a chat with Blind Melon bassist Brad Smith—whose band recorded … Continue reading Blind Melon makes Soup in New Orleans but the Big Easy is “evil on a lot of levels”

Robert Plant says young girls still whimper as he walks past

Robert Plant is one of the best-known rock stars in the world. He’s certainly one of the best-known rock stars I’ve ever chatted with.

Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon defines success as making it last

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 23, 1992 By Steve Newton When he was a headline-making member of the infamous Sex Pistols, John Lydon went to extremes to make sure people either loved or hated his grating, nihilistic Johnny Rotten persona. And, according to Blind Melon vocalist Shannon Hoon, Lydon hasn’t given up his Rotten ways. “One … Continue reading Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon defines success as making it last

Blind Melon plays Vancouver, Shannon Hoon holds his piss

By Steve Newton On December 20, 1993, Blind Melon played Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom. It was a benefit for the Vancouver Food Bank as part of a plea deal stemming from charges against singer Shannon Hoon for an incident that occurred two months earlier when he'd gotten naked on stage and peed into the front row at … Continue reading Blind Melon plays Vancouver, Shannon Hoon holds his piss