By Steve Newton Brit Floyd guitarist-vocalist and musical director Damian Darlington got his first guitar as a Christmas present when he was 11 years old, but it took him a couple of years before he really got into it. In the meantime, he bought his first-ever album (Eagles Live), which was followed by the purchase … Continue reading Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington got hooked on Pink Floyd at age 13
Tag: Stratocaster
That time I asked Carlos Santana how he gets his guitar tone
By Steve Newton One of the biggest thrills of my life as a rock journalist came when I interviewed Carlos Santana in August of 2011. His guitar sound has just entranced me ever since I first heard "Black Magic Woman" as a kid. So of course I had to ask him where he gets his … Continue reading That time I asked Carlos Santana how he gets his guitar tone
That time Walter Trout told me that his spirit was in his Stratocaster
By Steve Newton I interviewed blues-rock guitar wizard Walter Trout back in 2003, before he played a gig at Vancouver's much-missed blues mecca, the Yale Hotel. At one point in the conversation he told me about his fierce, undying love for his 1973 "Strat-o-caster". Have a listen: To hear my full, 24-minute interview with Walter … Continue reading That time Walter Trout told me that his spirit was in his Stratocaster
Stratman Vince Converse just likes to hang out in bars and play blues for women
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 18, 1999 By Steve Newton Vince Converse is one of those up-and-coming guitar slingers you read about in guitar magazines, a simmering talent just waiting to explode onto the music scene. He’s also the kind of player Fender likes to have as an endorsee. I guess that means … Continue reading Stratman Vince Converse just likes to hang out in bars and play blues for women
Uli Jon Roth invented the Sky guitar because 24 frets weren’t enough
By Steve Newton German guitar legend Uli Jon Roth plays Vancouver this Saturday (March 19) on a bill with fellow six-string sensations Jennifer Batten and Andy Timmons. The show is part of Uli Jon Roth's Ultimate Guitar Experience, a tour that promises to be a perfect warmup for the Generation Axe show in April, which … Continue reading Uli Jon Roth invented the Sky guitar because 24 frets weren’t enough
Saskatchewan guitar wizard Jack Semple is a Strat man all the way
By Steve Newton Three days ago I called Jack Semple up at his home in Regina, Saskatchewan, for an interview to help promote his show at Vancouver's Rickshaw Theatre on August 31 (with guest Don Alder). In preparing for the chat I spent a lot of time listening to the Canadian guitar wizard's latest CD, … Continue reading Saskatchewan guitar wizard Jack Semple is a Strat man all the way
Shit-hot picker Greg Koch shows off the Robin Trower signature Strat
If you were big fan of guitar-based rock in the '70s and your head wasn't too far up your ass you probably listened to Robin Trower, the bluesy British picker who released a string of soulful albums heavy on the Hendrix that went gold on the charts and in my rock-lovin' heart as well. Now Fender guitars … Continue reading Shit-hot picker Greg Koch shows off the Robin Trower signature Strat
Yngwie Malmsteen calls Ibanez guitars “a bad copy” of the Strat and says Les Pauls are “furniture”
By Steve Newton Back in 2014 I had a nice little chat with Swedish guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen, in advance of a Guitar Gods show in Vancouver. I mentioned that the last time I saw him live was on the G3 Tour at Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre in 2003 or something. We got to talking about his … Continue reading Yngwie Malmsteen calls Ibanez guitars “a bad copy” of the Strat and says Les Pauls are “furniture”
Ian Moore’s social commentary stings like his Strat on Modernday Folklore
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 28, 1995 By Steve Newton On the cover of Ian Moore’s 1993 self-titled debut, he is pictured hugging his worn Stratocaster, perched on a beat-up Fender amp, a drum kit and large speaker cabinet looming in the background. That simple shot of the longhaired, cowboy-booted dude set the impression of Moore … Continue reading Ian Moore’s social commentary stings like his Strat on Modernday Folklore