Steve Vai plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton TUESDAY: American instrumental-rock guitar virtuoso Steve Vai performs at the Rickshaw Theatre on his Inviolate Tour 2023. Hope he does “For the Love of God”. TUESDAY: Black Women in Indie & Folk at the Fox Cabaret features performances by Silent St J, Raheal, Ayanna Seymour, and Chaya … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, August 14-18
Tag: Steve Vai
Newt’s top 10 (or 11) Metro Vancouver concerts in August
Steve Vai plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton AVENGED SEVENFOLD: hard-rock/metal band from Huntingdon Beach, California, with guests Alexisonfire and Kim Dracula. August 7 at Rogers Arena. ROCK MAPLE RIDGE: three-day classic-rock festival features headlining performances by Tom Cochrane, Kim Mitchell, and Trooper. August 11 to 13 at Albion Fairgrounds. Canuck rock rules. Jeff Goldblum … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 11) Metro Vancouver concerts in August
God bless Bernie Marsden’s guitar solo on Whitesnake’s “Fool For Your Lovin'”
By Steve Newton British guitar hero Bernie Marsden turned 72 today, so I figured now was as good a time as any to ask God to bless his solo on Whitesnake's "Fool For Your Lovin'". In previous blogs I've asked God to bless exquisite guitar solos by Scott Gorham on Thin Lizzy’s “Romeo and the Lonely Girl”, Donald … Continue reading God bless Bernie Marsden’s guitar solo on Whitesnake’s “Fool For Your Lovin'”
Devin Townsend on hating guitar, loving Noisescapes, and doing the Steve Vai project “because it was there”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER OF 1993 By Steve Newton Things have a comical way of working out for some folks in the wacky world of rock ’n’ roll. In the case of 21-year-old Devin Townsend—who came out of nowhere (well, Vancouver, actually) to claim the prestigious lead vocalist spot in Yankee guitar god Steve Vai’s … Continue reading Devin Townsend on hating guitar, loving Noisescapes, and doing the Steve Vai project “because it was there”
That time I asked Steve Vai if he was daunted by stepping into Eddie Van Halen’s shoes with David Lee Roth
By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Steve Vai in May of 1990, when he was just 29. He had just released his solo album Passion and Warfare, and was touring with Whitesnake, which was then basking in the glory of its multiplatinum Slip of the Tongue album. Before Whitesnake Vai had played … Continue reading That time I asked Steve Vai if he was daunted by stepping into Eddie Van Halen’s shoes with David Lee Roth
That time I asked Steve Morse if the success of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai boded well for instrumental-rock artists
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Steve Morse for the first time in May of 1991, the American instrumental-rock scene was making great strides. While Morse himself was winning over critics with his Southern Steel album, both Joe Satriani and Steve Vai were heading toward gold-album status with their most recent discs, Flying in a … Continue reading That time I asked Steve Morse if the success of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai boded well for instrumental-rock artists
That time Tommy Aldridge told me that Randy Rhoads was the most talented guitarist he ever played with
By Steve Newton Drum legend Tommy Aldridge has played with some of the greatest rock guitarists of all time: Gary Moore, Steve Vai, Randy Rhoads, Pat Travers, Tony MacAlpine, Scott Gorham, John Sykes. Heck, even his first band of note, Black Oak Arkansas, featured some pretty heavy-duty pickers. When I interviewed Aldridge back in 2001 … Continue reading That time Tommy Aldridge told me that Randy Rhoads was the most talented guitarist he ever played with
Album review: Whitesnake, Slip of the Tongue (1989)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 8, 1989 By Steve Newton David Coverdale sure knows how to make good use of his previously recorded tunes. First he had a huge hit with a revamped version of "Here I Go Again", and now he's resurrected a nine-year-old British hit called "Fool for Your Loving" and … Continue reading Album review: Whitesnake, Slip of the Tongue (1989)
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she got from attending Berklee College of Music
By Steve Newton Here's another audio excerpt from my 1998 interview with Susan Tedeschi, for those who think she's awesome, like me. At one point in the interview I asked her about attending Berklee College of Music, which she graduated from in 1991. That's the Boston institution where such stellar musicians as Steely Dan's Donald … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she got from attending Berklee College of Music
Joe Satriani compares the musical styles and backgrounds of recent G3 tourmates John Petrucci, Uli Jon Roth, and Phil Collen
By Steve Newton I interviewed Joe Satriani a couple of weeks ago, in advance of his show in Vancouver this Friday (June 1) at the Commodore Ballroom. I've seen Satch a bunch of times--including on various G3 Tours with the likes of Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Vai--so I wanted to ask him about … Continue reading Joe Satriani compares the musical styles and backgrounds of recent G3 tourmates John Petrucci, Uli Jon Roth, and Phil Collen
David Lee Roth shows off manly biceps, a giant surfboard, and Steve Vai on the Skyscraper Tour
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 1988 By Steve Newton Whether you like David Lee Roth or not, there's one thing you've got to admit: the guy's a star. It's hard to take your eyes off him, and few did at the Pacific Coliseum last Saturday (May 21). Whether you're ogling his sexy bod, … Continue reading David Lee Roth shows off manly biceps, a giant surfboard, and Steve Vai on the Skyscraper Tour
Album review: Joe Satriani, Surfing with the Alien (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 3, 1988 By Steve Newton Boy, talk about a guitarist's wet dream! This Satriani guy comes up with some of the wildest, most innovative rock guitar sounds in many a day. He even makes Eddie Van Halen sound like a hacker! Okay, so maybe he's not that good. But if … Continue reading Album review: Joe Satriani, Surfing with the Alien (1988)
Album review: David Lee Roth, Skyscraper (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 12, 1988 By Steve Newton Old Diamond Dave had his hands full surpassing his 1986 LP Eat 'Em and Smile, but with this new one, Skyscraper, he's certainly done just that. In his first endeavour as producer Roth has come up with a brilliantly played and varied hard-rock album that should turn … Continue reading Album review: David Lee Roth, Skyscraper (1988)