ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 19, 1992 By Steve Newton Some recording artists come off as self-absorbed types whose only musical interest involves what they’re doing. They claim not to listen to anybody else’s tunes, lest their precious art be influenced away from its predestined place in history. But sometimes you come across an open-minded recording … Continue reading Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert can deal with a number-one single at 25
Tag: Rush
Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 30, 1992 By Steve Newton When I interviewed Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate last month, the singer had some intriguing things to say about an alleged “backlash” against progressive rock, which he felt had been initiated by the music industry in the ’70s. Tate uncovered a plot to undermine the growing popularity … Continue reading Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power
Trailer Park Boys director Mike Clattenburg revels in Canuck rock
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 4, 2006 By Steve Newton Helix isn't normally a band that comes to mind as one of Canada’s finest musical exports. But as director Mike Clattenburg proved in Trailer Park Boys: The Movie, its song “Heavy Metal Love” is the ideal backdrop for slow-mo footage of a skanky trailer-park chick descending … Continue reading Trailer Park Boys director Mike Clattenburg revels in Canuck rock
Rush debut gets vinyl reissue; John Rutsey gets vindicated
By Steve Newton Universal Music Canada announced today that the mighty Rush will reissue its self-titled 1974 debut album on vinyl to mark its 40-year recording career. Here's the promotional bumph: As part of Universal’s reDISCovered vinyl series, the original 1974 analogue stereo masters were cut to copper plates using the Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) … Continue reading Rush debut gets vinyl reissue; John Rutsey gets vindicated
ZZ Top’s been rockin’ with the same dudes for nigh on 45 years
ZZ Top is the only major rock band from the '70s that still exists in the exact same form as on its first album, and for that you've got to give the bearded wonders credit. Rush would be up for similar acclaim were it not for John Rutsey playing on their debut album before Neil … Continue reading ZZ Top’s been rockin’ with the same dudes for nigh on 45 years
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1974
Last year I put together a list of my 30 fave albums from 1973, which was a particularly awesome year since it included the release of what I've always felt was the world's greatest rock album, the Who's Quadrophenia. Now that you've all had a good chance to go out and purchase each and every one … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1974
Albert King gets inducted into the Rock Hall tonight: it’s about fucking time
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, APRIL 18, 2013 By Steve Newton The brainiacs over at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will redeem themselves for years of bad calls when they finally induct blues legend Albert King into their hallowed institution tonight. The gatekeepers at the Cleveland-based facility have been getting flack for years for not inducting Canadian … Continue reading Albert King gets inducted into the Rock Hall tonight: it’s about fucking time
Rush is in, Deep Purple’s out: the Rock Hall’s worth is still in doubt
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 12, 2012 By Steve Newton If you're a Rush freak who's been holding a grudge against the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for not inducting your heroes, you've probably already heard that the Cleveland-based institution broke down yesterday and finally—after 14 years of eligibility—let the Canuck prog-rock legends in. … Continue reading Rush is in, Deep Purple’s out: the Rock Hall’s worth is still in doubt
Ritchie Blackmore “couldn’t care less” about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 23, 2012 By Steve Newton Rush and Deep Purple garnered plenty of headlines in the music press earlier this month when they were among the 15 acts nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Fans of both legendary rock bands felt the selection was … Continue reading Ritchie Blackmore “couldn’t care less” about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson calls the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “a popularity contest”
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 20, 2012 By Steve Newton If you're a Rush fan, you've no doubt heard that the Canuck power trio has finally been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group has been eligible for induction since 1999--25 years after the release of its self-titled debut album (featuring … Continue reading Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson calls the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “a popularity contest”
Rush finally chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…NOT!
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 27, 2011 By Steve Newton Those dickwads down at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have done it again. The list of nominees for induction in 2012 was released today and--much to the chagrin of anyone with the slightest notion of what the term "Rock and Roll" stands for--Canuck … Continue reading Rush finally chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…NOT!
Alice Cooper finally gets nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 28, 2010 By Steve Newton Alice Cooper released a string of amazing albums in the early '70s—including Love It to the Death, School's Out, Killer, and Billion Dollar Babies—but the brainiacs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame waited until today to nominate the shock-rock king for inclusion in their fancy pants institution. … Continue reading Alice Cooper finally gets nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rush defies age with vitality and verve (and rotisserie chickens) in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 30, 2008 By Steve Newton When you’ve been around as long as Rush has, you can pretty well do as you please. If you don’t feel like doing any interviews to support your tour—even though you have a relatively new studio album, 2007’s Snakes & Arrows, to talk about—you don’t have … Continue reading Rush defies age with vitality and verve (and rotisserie chickens) in Vancouver