Tag: Chilliwack

Wish I would have interviewed the guy with the best nickname in rock, Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod

By Steve Newton I've interviewed a helluva lot of rock musicians over the last 40 years or so--literally hundreds and hundreds--but there are still a few that got away. Like Brian "Too Loud" MacLeod, best known for being a member of Vancouver-based rock groups Headpins and Chilliwack. It doesn't make sense that I wouldn't have … Continue reading Wish I would have interviewed the guy with the best nickname in rock, Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod

Danny Kirwan’s death revives memories of cruising the Chilliwack strip listening to Fleetwood Mac’s Kiln House

By Steve Newton You may have heard that British musician Danny Kirwan passed away on Friday, at the age of 68. Don't feel too bad if his name doesn't sound familiar, but he was a member of Fleetwood Mac between 1968 and 1972. I didn't know his work all that well myself, even though he … Continue reading Danny Kirwan’s death revives memories of cruising the Chilliwack strip listening to Fleetwood Mac’s Kiln House

Back to the ‘Wack: Newt signs Gord Downie book in Chilliwack

By Steve Newton In case you haven't heard, my first book came out last month. It's called Gord Downie, and it's about a poetic Canadian guy who rocked his ass off for decades and won over his home country before bravely succumbing to brain cancer and winning over his home country even more. When the … Continue reading Back to the ‘Wack: Newt signs Gord Downie book in Chilliwack

You can tell a book by its covers: The Georgia Straight–A 50th Anniversary Celebration

By Steve Newton FULL DISCLOSURE: I've worked at the Georgia Straight since '82 so, yeah, I could be a little biased. I didn't grow up in Vancouver. I hail from the small Fraser Valley community of Chilliwack, best known for ice storms in the winter, Cultus Lake in the summer, and the rock band Chilliwack … Continue reading You can tell a book by its covers: The Georgia Straight–A 50th Anniversary Celebration

Album review: Joe Jackson Band, Volume 4 (2003)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 27, 2003 By Steve Newton When I recall my late-’70s/early-’80s fondness for Brit pop-punk Joe Jackson, I drift back to days spent in a rundown party pad at the foot of a dead-end street in Chilliwack. For some reason, I remember myself one spring afternoon mowing the lawn … Continue reading Album review: Joe Jackson Band, Volume 4 (2003)

Album review: Goddo, 12 Gauge Goddo (1990)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 3, 1991 By Steve Newton I still remember driving into town from Chilliwack to see Goddo at the Body Shop way back in ’78 or some godforsaken year. What made the show so memorable for me wasn’t just the great power-rock this Canadian trio delivered, but the fact … Continue reading Album review: Goddo, 12 Gauge Goddo (1990)

The incredible story behind the Ear of Newt autographed guitar

By Steve Newton Back in January of 2013 when I started planning the Ear of Newt website--which I launched on Halloween night that year--I knew I had to get my autographed plexiglass guitar into the picture. I'd been dragging it around to concerts to get it signed by my fave pickers--folks like Link Wray, Ronnie … Continue reading The incredible story behind the Ear of Newt autographed guitar

Newt rocks out at 60th birthday bash with members of Chilliwack bands Cold Chain, Horsepower, and Concrete Jungle

jet sutherland photo By Steve Newton After 35-plus years of writing about other people rockin' out on guitar, I finally got off my butt, hopped on stage, and did some half-assed riffing myself. Last night at the Coast Hotel, in the heart of beautiful downtown Chilliwack, B.C., a bunch of old guys who were born … Continue reading Newt rocks out at 60th birthday bash with members of Chilliwack bands Cold Chain, Horsepower, and Concrete Jungle

Thinking nice thoughts of Rick Parfitt while listening to “Big Fat Mama” from Status Quo’s Piledriver

By Steve Newton Just heard the sad news that Rick Parfitt, guitarist-vocalist for Status Quo, died today from a severe infection at a hospital in Spain. He was 68. I first discovered Status Quo as a teenager when I came upon their 1972 album Piledriver at a record store. I'd never heard Status Quo before, … Continue reading Thinking nice thoughts of Rick Parfitt while listening to “Big Fat Mama” from Status Quo’s Piledriver

That time I hired an Elvis impersonator for my mom’s 87th birthday and he stole her away to Vegas!

photos by julie katz By Steve Newton Okay, so maybe he didn't steal her away to Vegas. But Steve "Elvis" Elliott sure charmed the heck outta my mom during his one-hour show at the Waverly Seniors Village in Chilliwack today. Elliott--a resident of the 'Wack who travels all around B.C. performing Elvis Presley tribute shows--rolled out … Continue reading That time I hired an Elvis impersonator for my mom’s 87th birthday and he stole her away to Vegas!

Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 4, 1986 By Steve Newton Until the release of the album Power Lines, Jim Foster had not been heard from for many years. It makes one wonder whether the Alberta-raised singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is on somewhat of a comeback. "Well gosh," says Foster. "How can you make a comeback when you were never … Continue reading Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver