Album review: Richie Sambora, Stranger in This Town (1991)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 17, 1991 By Steve Newton Who would have thought that Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora—the only member of that band cuter than BJ himself—would have what it takes to deliver an album as mature and diverse as Stranger in This Town? Aided by primo bassist/Stick-man Tony Levin and … Continue reading Album review: Richie Sambora, Stranger in This Town (1991)

Bon Jovi drops Fairbairn, goes with Rock for Keep the Faith

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 18, 1993 By Steve Newton Most often when the member of a touring rock band calls me for an interview in November, it’s from some cold, rain-soaked, godforsaken town in the States. That ain’t the case, however, when Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora reports in from his particular location on the … Continue reading Bon Jovi drops Fairbairn, goes with Rock for Keep the Faith

Bob Rock plays every lick he knows on Rockhead’s “dumb old hard-rock album”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 15, 1993 By Steve Newton The first time I interviewed veteran Vancouver musician and producer extraordinaire Bob Rock, he was in the middle of helming Bitter Sweet & Twisted, the new release by British blues-rockers the Quireboys. The last time we chatted, he was heavily involved in the much-anticipated release by … Continue reading Bob Rock plays every lick he knows on Rockhead’s “dumb old hard-rock album”

100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong….or can they?

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 9, 2004 By Steve Newton I remember once seeing a poster that was just a picture of a turd and a sentence that read something like Eat Shit: 100,000,000 Flies Can't Be Wrong. That's what came to mind when I first laid eyes on the new, five-disc Bon Jovi boxed … Continue reading 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong….or can they?

Richie Sambora’s vocals steal the show from Jon on Bon Jovi’s I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead Tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 3, 1993 By Steve Newton On the way home from the Coliseum after last Sunday's Bon Jovi show, I flicked on CFOX to hear Bruce Allen's talk show, Sound Off. Now, I don't know if Allen is currently trying to wangle the job of managing the New Jersey rock act, but … Continue reading Richie Sambora’s vocals steal the show from Jon on Bon Jovi’s I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead Tour