By Steve Newton I interviewed John Mellencamp for the first time in May of 1983, when he was still known as John Cougar. He called me up from his home in Bloomington, Indiana to talk about his latest album, American Fool, which was tearing up the charts thanks to hits like "Hurts So Good", "Jack … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with John Cougar in 1983, before he was Mellencamp
Tag: John Cougar
Album review: John Mellencamp, Whenever We Wanted (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 14, 1991 By Steve Newton First it was Johnny Cougar, then John Cougar, then John Cougar Mellencamp, and now John Mellencamp. On his next album he’ll probably just be John. But that’s okay, ’cause names aren’t important when your music’s as brilliant as it is on Whenever … Continue reading Album review: John Mellencamp, Whenever We Wanted (1991)
Rudy Sarzo recalls the buzz of Quiet Riot opening Heavy Metal Day at the US Festival in ’83
By Steve Newton I interviewed hard rock/metal bass god Rudy Sarzo at the Vancouver office of CBS Records back in August of 1983. That was less than three months after Sarzo's band, Quiet Riot, had opened Heavy Metal Day at the US Festival, one of the biggest outdoor concerts in North America. Also on the … Continue reading Rudy Sarzo recalls the buzz of Quiet Riot opening Heavy Metal Day at the US Festival in ’83
Rudy Sarzo on playing with Randy Rhoads, life after Ozzy, and the return of Quiet Riot
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 5, 1983 By Steve Newton Formed in 1975 by Kevin DuBrow and the late Randy Rhoads (who died in a plane crash last year while a member of the Ozzy Osbourne band), Quiet Riot were one of the leading Los Angeles rock bands during the late seventies. Boasting dynamic live performances … Continue reading Rudy Sarzo on playing with Randy Rhoads, life after Ozzy, and the return of Quiet Riot
Drum great Kenny Aronoff was never afraid to go for it
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 25, 1999 By Steve Newton I’ve got a theory, and this theory, which is mine, is that everybody wants to be a rock ’n’ roll drummer. There’s just something irresistible about the idea of pounding away on a resonating circle until you’re sweaty and drained and then having people cheer you … Continue reading Drum great Kenny Aronoff was never afraid to go for it