charles campbell photo By Steve Newton It's been 10 days since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its nominees for induction in 2018, choosing a whopping 19 bands and artists this time around. They include, in alphabetical order: Bon Jovi, Kate Bush, the Cars, Depeche Mode, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, J. Geils Band, Judas Priest, LL Cool J, MC5, … Continue reading Rock Hall ignores Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher yet again, proves its head is still lodged firmly up its ass
Tag: Thin Lizzy
Album review: Queen, Queen at the BBC (1995)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 23, 1995 By Steve Newton Recorded in February and December of 1973—half before and half after the release of Queen’s self-titled debut album—Queen at the BBC is an intriguing document of the Brit supergroup’s earliest material, which is certainly some of its best. (The band went downhill, … Continue reading Album review: Queen, Queen at the BBC (1995)
Album review: Phantom Blue, Built to Perform (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 28, 1994 By Steve Newton With their snug-fitting cut-offs, tight tops, and knee-high boots, the young women in Phantom Blue could easily be misconstrued as boy-toy metal-Madonnas first and serious rock musicians second, but from the sound of their questionably titled CD, Built to Perform, they have … Continue reading Album review: Phantom Blue, Built to Perform (1994)
Album review: Roger Waters, The Wall Live in Berlin (1990)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 20, 1990 By Steve Newton With such a hodgepodge of guest artists—acts as varied as Sinead O’Connor and the Scorpions, Bryan Adams and James Galway—it seemed quite likely that Roger Waters’s new live recording of The Wall would turn out as a disjointed, hit-and-miss project. But despite the … Continue reading Album review: Roger Waters, The Wall Live in Berlin (1990)
That time Circus Magazine’s editorial department sent me a rejection letter :(
By Steve Newton Back on July 10, 1981, somebody at Circus Magazine sent me a rejection letter. They could have at least signed it. Back in the seventies I devoured Circus. It was a total fanzine, but it really covered the bands I was interested in. On any given issue you'd see capitalized band names like … Continue reading That time Circus Magazine’s editorial department sent me a rejection letter 🙁
That time Gary Moore told me how he scored Peter Green’s ’59 Les Paul
By Steve Newton Gary Moore has been one of my fave guitarists ever since I heard him with Thin Lizzy back in the seventies. I then closely followed his hard-rock/metal solo career in the '80s, before he got the blues bigtime in 1990. I was fortunate enough to have interviewed the legendary picker once, back in … Continue reading That time Gary Moore told me how he scored Peter Green’s ’59 Les Paul
Rush | Time Stand Still is all about devotion
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 26, 2016 By Steve Newton I was a rock-crazed 17-year-old when the first Rush album came out in 1974, so of course I became an instant fan. And that was even before they latched on to the wildest drummer this side of Keith Moon. Paul Rudd was only four years old … Continue reading Rush | Time Stand Still is all about devotion
That time Gord Downie told me about recording Fully Completely with producer Chris Tsangarides
By Steve Newton I did my second interview with Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie in November of '92, shortly after the release of the unforgettable Fully Completely album. It was the only Hip album to be produced by Chris Tsangarides, the same guy who helmed Thin Lizzy's final albums, Renegade and Thunder and Lightning. In this … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me about recording Fully Completely with producer Chris Tsangarides
Kris Schulz plays beautiful tune by Columbia River, beckons Phil Lynott’s thunderous soul
By Steve Newton Vancouver guitar ace Kris Schulz posted a clip on his Facebook page today in which he's playing a beautiful instrumental next to an equally gorgeous river. "Wild Mountain Thyme has always been a favorite of mine to play," says Schulz in the post, "and yesterday's setting alongside the banks of the Columbia river was … Continue reading Kris Schulz plays beautiful tune by Columbia River, beckons Phil Lynott’s thunderous soul
Queen box set out today captures the legendary rockers live in ’75
By Steve Newton Queen freaks who couldn't quite afford the massive Queen Studio Collection that was released a couple of months ago should know that the legendary British rockers are issuing another box set today (December 18), one that is aimed at fans who adored the band in its mid-'70s, long-hair-on-Mercury heyday. A Night at the Odeon captures … Continue reading Queen box set out today captures the legendary rockers live in ’75
Rock Hall finally inducts Deep Purple; could Rory, Link, Johnny, and Maiden be far behind?
By Steve Newton Well, those bozos down at the highly slaggable Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally came to their senses. Twenty-two years after it first became eligible for induction, legendary British hard-rockers Deep Purple finally gained admittance into the Cleveland institution's hallowed halls. I guess the powers-that-be finally broke down and played Machine Head … Continue reading Rock Hall finally inducts Deep Purple; could Rory, Link, Johnny, and Maiden be far behind?
The Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins loves Jimmy Page’s wrong notes and Joe Perry’s swagger
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 15, 2015 By Steve Newton Fans of rowdy, old-school, Les Paul–driven guitar rock have a band worth worshipping in British noisemakers the Darkness. The Marshall-powered six-string team of 40-year-old Justin Hawkins and his two-years-younger brother, Dan, really do tear up the frets, both on-stage and on record—as evidenced by their latest … Continue reading The Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins loves Jimmy Page’s wrong notes and Joe Perry’s swagger
Fastway’s “Fast” Eddie Clarke on his days with Motörhead and not wanting to be a guitar hero
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 8, 1983 By Steve Newton Fastway, the new band put together by former Motörhead guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke and featuring original Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley, opened last Wednesday's Iron Maiden concert at the Pacific Coliseum. I spoke to "Fast" Eddie that afternoon and caught a few glimpses into life with … Continue reading Fastway’s “Fast” Eddie Clarke on his days with Motörhead and not wanting to be a guitar hero