ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 26, 2001 By Steve Newton When Yes guitarist Steve Howe calls from Reno, Nevada, it’s not to brag about how well he’s been doing at the blackjack tables. Although he and his bandmates—vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White—have been holed up in the gambling mecca for two … Continue reading Yes guitarist Steve Howe says Chet Atkins was–and is–his number one
Tag: concert
Steve Hackett leaves Vancouver aglow with a major Genesis buzz
all crappy iPhone photos by the newt By Steve Newton At the Vogue Theatre last night former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and his killer band performed the best-loved songs from his old group's '70s heyday. Those included "The Fountain of Salmacis" from 1971's Nursery Cryme, the seven-part "Supper's Ready" from 1972's Foxtrot, "Firth of Fifth" from my … Continue reading Steve Hackett leaves Vancouver aglow with a major Genesis buzz
Iron Maiden plays Vancouver on the Powerslave tour, Dave Murray talks to the Newt
By Steve Newton On December 9, 1984, Iron Maiden played the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver--with Twisted Sister opening up! Not only that, but the paper put my interview with the British metal legends on the front page, featuring a totally rockin' live photo by famed Vancouver photographer Bev Davies. Maiden was touring behind its Powerslave album—the one … Continue reading Iron Maiden plays Vancouver on the Powerslave tour, Dave Murray talks to the Newt
Buddy Miles proclaims “there’s nobody can even mess with Jimi”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 2001 BY STEVE NEWTON When ’60s blues legend Willie Dixon wrote “Wang Dang Doodle” for vocalist Koko Taylor, it was pretty clear from her lusty delivery that the term was a euphemism for sex. In the ’70s, crotch-rocker Ted Nugent put his own randy spin on the phrase with “Wang … Continue reading Buddy Miles proclaims “there’s nobody can even mess with Jimi”
Rick Nielsen calls early to say that Cheap Trick is playing better than ever
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 2001 By Steve Newton Rock stars don’t always call on time. Sometimes they don’t even call at all. And it’s a rare occasion when they actually call early. So when Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen rings up from Phoenix a good 10 minutes before our scheduled interview time, I’m caught … Continue reading Rick Nielsen calls early to say that Cheap Trick is playing better than ever
Tantric rises from the ashes of Days of the New, tours with 3 Doors Down
In November of 1998, an acoustic guitar–based rock band out of Kentucky called Days of the New had the world by the short ’n’ curlies.
Double Trouble’s Tommy Shannon finds the groove in that pocket
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 5, 2001 For its debut CD, Been a Long Time, Double Trouble—Stevie Ray Vaughan’s former rhythm section of bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton—assembled some of the most admired blues and rock guitarists around. Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Doyle Bramhall II, Gordie Johnson, … Continue reading Double Trouble’s Tommy Shannon finds the groove in that pocket
Hey guitar freaks: you’d be friggin’ nuts not to go see Tommy Emmanuel
He might not be the most famous guitarist in the world, but, man, I'm tellin' ya—Tommy Emmanuel might just be the best. All-around, that is. We all know Jeff Beck is tops when it comes to rock. (Especially since Jimi, Stevie Ray and Rory blues-shuffled off this mortal coil.) But if you're looking for an … Continue reading Hey guitar freaks: you’d be friggin’ nuts not to go see Tommy Emmanuel
Dan McCafferty says that people think Nazareth is “a good night out”
Nineteen seventy-three was a wicked year for rock—or maybe it just seemed that way ’cause I was a rock-crazed 16-year-old.
Buddy Guy embraces North Mississippi hill-country blues on Sweet Tea
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 28, 2001 By Steve Newton Buddy Guy has always gotten by just fine with the time-tested, Chicago-style blues he’s famous for. In the ’60s and ’70s, his work was a huge influence on the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan; later on it paid off with the widespread popularity … Continue reading Buddy Guy embraces North Mississippi hill-country blues on Sweet Tea
Richard Pryor’s convictions cut deep on Joe Henry’s Scar
Joe Henry recently met Pryor, who’s suffered from multiple sclerosis for years, and dedicated his new album, Scar, to the ailing comic genius.
Myles Goodwyn says that April Wine was one of the first bands to hit all the small towns in Canada
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 24, 2001 By Steve Newton Back in high school in the mid-’70s, I knew a lot of people who were big April Wine fans. Heck, even now I know a lot of people who are big April Wine fans. I try to avoid them, but they’re everywhere! You can even find … Continue reading Myles Goodwyn says that April Wine was one of the first bands to hit all the small towns in Canada
Guitar Shorty says Jimi Hendrix used to go AWOL to catch his gigs
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 17, 2001 By Steve Newton Hordes of rock guitarists have been influenced by Jimi Hendrix, but only a few would claim that he was influenced by them. According to Guitar Shorty’s latest bio, in the ’60s Hendrix would go AWOL from the U.S. Army in order to catch Shorty’s gigs at … Continue reading Guitar Shorty says Jimi Hendrix used to go AWOL to catch his gigs