Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight to be released on Blu-ray

By Steve Newton As if the news about Brian Setzer's upcoming rockabilly CD weren't enough to keep guitar freaks satiated today, now comes word from Sony Music that its Legacy Recordings imprint will release Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight on Blu-ray on June 17. In August of 1970 the legendary guitarman performed … Continue reading Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight to be released on Blu-ray

Guitar legend Buddy Guy strives to keep the blues alive

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 22, 1991 By Steve Newton Blues guitar great Buddy Guy sure has seen some interesting things during his 55 years on this earth. How many players can say that Jimi Hendrix once cancelled a gig to sit at their feet with a tape recorder? “I didn’t know who he was at … Continue reading Guitar legend Buddy Guy strives to keep the blues alive

ZZ Top’s current setlist includes nods to Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters

Jimi with Billy's old band, the Moving Sidewalks. Elizabeth Avedon photo. Guitar legend Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top e-mailed me a few days ago and--among other things--replied to a question put forth by Nanaimo blues-rocker David Gogo, who wanted to know what Gibbons thought Jimi Hendrix would be up to if he was still around. … Continue reading ZZ Top’s current setlist includes nods to Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters

Gary Moore plays Hendrix on upcoming Blues for Jimi Blu-ray

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 26, 2012 By Steve Newton The music world was shocked last year when, on February 6, word spread that Irish guitar legend Gary Moore had suddenly passed away while holidaying at a luxury resort in Spain. For some, it was bad news on a par with the tragic death of Jimi Hendrix, … Continue reading Gary Moore plays Hendrix on upcoming Blues for Jimi Blu-ray

“Music is getting too heavy,” said Hendrix a week before his death

Here's a cool animated video that was posted on YouTube yesterday by PBS Digital Studios. It features a snippet of Jimi Hendrix's final interview, conducted by music journalist and press agent Keith Altham exactly one week before the guitar legend's drug-related death on Sept. 18, 1970. I like the part at the beginning where, after … Continue reading “Music is getting too heavy,” said Hendrix a week before his death

Eric Clapton box set features Slowhand trading licks with Freddie King

By Steve Newton Music lovers of a certain age—let's call them "old fogies" for want of a better term—know that 1973 was an incredible year for guitar-based rock. You can read all about it in music historian Michael Walker's great new book, What You Want Is in the Limo, which focuses on the albums and touring … Continue reading Eric Clapton box set features Slowhand trading licks with Freddie King

Glenn Tipton says that Rory Gallagher made him pick up the guitar

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 20, 2005 By Steve Newton Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton waited 12 years for original vocalist Rob Halford to hook back up with his band. But when I call him at his room in a swanky Ottawa hotel, he can't spare 12 minutes to talk about the reunion. Now that the … Continue reading Glenn Tipton says that Rory Gallagher made him pick up the guitar

ZZ Top, the Pretenders, and Brian Setzer bring ’70s-rock magic to Vancouver

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 29, 2007 I saw some very cool things at the big Jack FM classic-rock triple bill at GM Place last Thursday (August 23). First off, local punk-rock legend Joey "Shithead" Keithley could be seen strolling along the mezzanine, where he was accosted every 10 paces by a wide-eyed fan who … Continue reading ZZ Top, the Pretenders, and Brian Setzer bring ’70s-rock magic to Vancouver

Clean-living music-biz veteran John Mayall has still got the blues

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 10, 2011 By Steve Newton While prepping for my interview with British blues-rock legend John Mayall I browsed my trusty CD collection and came up with the remastered version of his 1971 album, Back to the Roots. This turned out to be a fine choice from a guitar freak’s standpoint as it … Continue reading Clean-living music-biz veteran John Mayall has still got the blues

Carlos Santana says you get the tone with what you’re thinking

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 2011 By Steve Newton There's a quote on Carlos Santana’s official website that reads: “When you love what you do, you don’t have to work a day in your life.” If that’s true, then anyone who’s heard Santana effortlessly channel the sound of pure joy through his instrument knows that he hasn’t … Continue reading Carlos Santana says you get the tone with what you’re thinking

Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray goes into his own little world on stage

It was 30 years ago this month that Iron Maiden played its first-ever Vancouver concert, sharing the stage with Scorpions on July 21, 1982.

The Blasters’ Phil Alvin on the roots of rock ‘n’ roll, racism, and thanking god for the Sex Pistols

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 3, 1983 By Steve Newton Touted by Cash Box magazine as "L.A.'s greatest rockabilly group", the Blasters blasted the Commodore Ballroom Thursday night with guests Wailin' Walker and the Houserockers. Comprised of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Phil Alvin, his younger brother Dave on lead guitar, drummer Bill Bateman, bassist John Bazz, and … Continue reading The Blasters’ Phil Alvin on the roots of rock ‘n’ roll, racism, and thanking god for the Sex Pistols