The Who’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton It was pretty tough picking the #1 Who song, but John Entwistle's unbeatable bass licks were the deciding factor. 20. "Don't Let Go the Coat" (Face Dances, 1981) 19 "Squeeze Box" (The Who By Numbers, 1975) 18, "I Can See For Miles" (The Who Sell Out, 1967) 17, "Baby O'Riley" (Who's Next, … Continue reading The Who’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

That time Alex Van Halen told me which drummer first blew him away with style and feel

By Steve Newton Everybody has their favourite all-time rock drummer. Mine, for example, was the Who's Keith Moon, who won me over forever with his frenzied work on Quadrophenia. Many others point to the precise timekeeping of Led Zeppelin skinbasher John Bonham. When I interviewed Alex Van Halen back in 1995 he told me that Moon … Continue reading That time Alex Van Halen told me which drummer first blew him away with style and feel

Rush | Time Stand Still is all about devotion

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 26, 2016 By Steve Newton I was a rock-crazed 17-year-old when the first Rush album came out in 1974, so of course I became an instant fan. And that was even before they latched on to the wildest drummer this side of Keith Moon. Paul Rudd was only four years old … Continue reading Rush | Time Stand Still is all about devotion

xtra large guitarist inspired by Keith Moon, Andy Kaufman, and pimento loaf

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 4, 1993 By Steve Newton Before potential listeners can get to the music on the new xtra large CD, NOWiEATthem, they have to get past one freaky cover illustration. Fashioned by acclaimed American artist Mark Ryden (who did Michael Jackson’s Dangerous cover), it portrays two women being wed by a huge … Continue reading xtra large guitarist inspired by Keith Moon, Andy Kaufman, and pimento loaf

Matthew Good didn’t mind using half of Bryan Adams’ old band on White Light Rock & Roll Review

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 5, 2004 By Steve Newton On the new Matthew Good CD, White Light Rock & Roll Review, there's a printed message on the disc itself from the shit-disturbing local rocker. It reads "INSERT IN PLAYER/FEEL THE GLOW OF COMMERCE." Although Good notes that it's a "tongue-in-cheek" statement, it's also very accurate, as … Continue reading Matthew Good didn’t mind using half of Bryan Adams’ old band on White Light Rock & Roll Review

Jason Bonham says his father was a regular guy who just happened to be in Led Zeppelin

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 24, 2010 By Steve Newton John Bonham is often called the greatest rock drummer who ever lived. And whether you agree with that assessment or not—I’m a Keith Moon man, myself—you’ve gotta admit that “Bonzo” was a master of the groove. Thirty years after his alcohol-related death at the age of … Continue reading Jason Bonham says his father was a regular guy who just happened to be in Led Zeppelin