ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1984 By Steve Newton When I first heard this album, two weeks ago, I thought it was good.s I mean really good. But after repeated listenings the LP's initial impact deteriorated a little. The main reason is singer/bassist Lee Rocker's vocals. He did backup vocals in his former band, the … Continue reading Album review: Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1984)
Tag: Keith Richards
Album review: Peter Wolf, Sleepless (2002)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 21, 2002 By Steve Newton I used to think Peter Wolf was supercool back in the ’70s, when he was fronting Boston-based party rockers the J. Geils band and delivering killer albums like Bloodshot and Live: Full House. I lost interest in the guy when the J. … Continue reading Album review: Peter Wolf, Sleepless (2002)
My 50 fave Vancouver concerts of all time (so far)
By Steve Newton In celebration of the Georgia Straight turning 50 this year, I figured I'd offer a roundup of the 50 top Vancouver concerts I've reviewed while writing for the paper since 1982. Maybe you made it out to a couple yourself! Although I doubt you weaseled your way backstage at the Orpheum in '93 to … Continue reading My 50 fave Vancouver concerts of all time (so far)
Rock and roll died today: Chuck Berry passes away at age 90
By Steve Newton The man often looked to as the originator of rock 'n' roll, Chuck Berry, died today at the age of 90. The singer-songwriter and guitar legend--best known for deathless rock numbers like “Johnny B. Goode”, "Maybelline", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Memphis", and "Nadine"--died this afternoon, St. Charles County Police Department confirmed. The cause of … Continue reading Rock and roll died today: Chuck Berry passes away at age 90
Rolling Stones super-deluxe box set falls short without Keith Richards mini cut-out
By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones snubbed Vancouver when it came time to book their current Zip Code Tour, which could very well be the group's last major trek outside the nursing home. But hardcore fans who've been bawling about that omission for months now can take some comfort in the fact that the money … Continue reading Rolling Stones super-deluxe box set falls short without Keith Richards mini cut-out
Robben Ford scoops up Keith Richards’ rhythm section for Tiger Walk
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 13, 1997 By Steve Newton When the time came for California guitar great Robben Ford to record his latest CD, Tiger Walk, he had a pretty good idea which rhythm section he wanted backing him up. He’d heard it on a Keith Richards album. “I’m not really a … Continue reading Robben Ford scoops up Keith Richards’ rhythm section for Tiger Walk
The Rolling Stones wow Vancouver on the Voodoo Lounge Tour, Spin Doctors not so much
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 22, 1994 By Steve Newton There was one nagging question on my mind after the Rolling Stones’ show last Saturday (December 17) at B.C. Place, and it kept elbowing for space in there with about a thousand Chuck Berry guitar riffs. I couldn’t stop wondering just how in … Continue reading The Rolling Stones wow Vancouver on the Voodoo Lounge Tour, Spin Doctors not so much
Keith Richards’ other great band kicks out all the jams in Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 21, 1993 By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones have owned the Granville Mall of late. A couple of months back Ronnie Wood played the Commodore; now Keith Richards has ripped things up a few doors down at the Orpheum. Maybe Mick Jagger will continue the trend and drop … Continue reading Keith Richards’ other great band kicks out all the jams in Vancouver
The Stones & Muddy Waters make blues magic on Chicago’s south side
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 31, 2012 By Steve Newton Eagle Rock Entertainment recently released the DVD Muddy Waters/The Rolling Stones/Checkerboard Lounge/Live Chicago 1981, and, man, is it a sweet treat for fans of electric blues. The coolest part of the concert comes when the Stones arrive while Muddy's a minute-and-a-half into "Baby Please Don't Go" … Continue reading The Stones & Muddy Waters make blues magic on Chicago’s south side
Stephen King dedicates Doctor Sleep to underrated rock genius Warren Zevon
I scored a copy of the new Stephen King novel Doctor Sleep for Christmas, which was great as it continues the story of The Shining, one of my fave works--next to Carrie, The Dead Zone, and The Stand--from King's '70s heyday. But before I even got into the further supernatural torments befalling the telepathic Danny Torrance … Continue reading Stephen King dedicates Doctor Sleep to underrated rock genius Warren Zevon
Rolling Stones Blu-ray sounds killer with Keef’s botched chords fixed up
By Steve Newton Just hours after the Rolling Stones finished the first of two shows at Hyde Park last July YouTube started getting flooded with fan-shot videos that showed Keith Richards seriously fucking up the opening chords to the big show's first song, "Start Me Up". It was not a pretty sound. Ironically, in a … Continue reading Rolling Stones Blu-ray sounds killer with Keef’s botched chords fixed up
Rolling Stones give good bang for big-buck tickets
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 29, 2006 A lot has been made of the astronomical ticket prices the Rolling Stones charged on their recent stop in Vancouver, but considering today’s out-of-control construction costs (see 2010 Olympics), there’s some merit to their exorbitance. It looked as if the Stones’ 300-person production crew had built a five-storey … Continue reading Rolling Stones give good bang for big-buck tickets