By Steve Newton As a freelance music writer in Vancouver since 1982, I've seen a lotta concerts. Most of the arena shows I reviewed took place at the Pacific Coliseum, until the Vancouver Canucks found a new home downtown in 1995 at GM Place, which was renamed Rogers Arena in 2010. But I wasn't just … Continue reading 10 memorable concerts at 10 lost but unforgotten Vancouver venues
Tag: Town Pump
That time Zakk Wylde told me about jamming with Skynyrd and covering for Dickey Betts in the Allmans
By Steve Newton Zakk Wylde may be best known as the guitarist and songwriter who took over from Jake E. Lee to help Ozzy Osbourne stay on the charts with tunes like "No More Tears" and "Perry Mason", but southern-rock fans also know him as the frontman in the power trio Pride & Glory, which was … Continue reading That time Zakk Wylde told me about jamming with Skynyrd and covering for Dickey Betts in the Allmans
Donald Kinsey laments the death of Roy Buchanan, relives the attempted assassination of Bob Marley
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 2, 1988 By Steve Newton Donald Kinsey knows the meaning of the blues. Lately--in the wake of Roy Buchanan's suicide--he knows it better than ever. Kinsey was a good buddy of Buchanan's, and played guitar on his last two albums, Hot Wires and Dancing on the Edge. Since Buchanan was found … Continue reading Donald Kinsey laments the death of Roy Buchanan, relives the attempted assassination of Bob Marley
Album review: Pearl Jam, Vs. (1993)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 25, 1993 By Steve Newton Although I became a fan of Pearl Jam the first time I heard its debut album, Ten, I must admit that I haven’t played that disc a lot since scoring a review copy back in ’91. Shortly after its release I saw … Continue reading Album review: Pearl Jam, Vs. (1993)
Rick Rizzo thinks Eleventh Dream Day sounds better live because of the sonicness of the guitars
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 25, 1991 By Steve Newton Some bands just aren’t happy unless they’re recording in the fanciest, most expensive studios around. Then there are bands like Chicago’s Eleventh Dream Day, which laid down the tracks for its latest album in a Kentucky tobacco barn. The band members had to … Continue reading Rick Rizzo thinks Eleventh Dream Day sounds better live because of the sonicness of the guitars
Tony “Wild T” Springer isn’t worried about being pegged as a Hendrix clone any more
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 30, 1991 By Steve Newton The first thing you see when you scan Tony “Wild T” Springer & the Spirit’s Warner Music bio isn’t a background on the Trinidad-born, Toronto-based blues-rocker, or even some over-zealous copywriter’s frothings, but a quote from Jeff Healey, who claims that guitarist Wild … Continue reading Tony “Wild T” Springer isn’t worried about being pegged as a Hendrix clone any more
Blues Traveler’s John Popper went from the Blues Brothers to Paul Butterfield to Elmore James to Hendrix
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 3, 1991 By Steve Newton If you were ever a big fan of the Blues Brothers, chances are you appreciate a few chuckles tossed in with your listening. Blues Traveler singer/harmonica player John Popper certainly does. In fact, it was his love of comedy that first got him started on the … Continue reading Blues Traveler’s John Popper went from the Blues Brothers to Paul Butterfield to Elmore James to Hendrix
Drummer Steve Smith gave up Journey’s arena rock to gain Vital Information
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 27, 1987 By Steve Newton It's a long way, in musical terms, from the commercial rock of Journey to the improvisational jazz of Vital Information. But for drummer Steve Smith, who appears at the Town Pump Friday (March 27) with Vital Information, it was a route that had to be taken. … Continue reading Drummer Steve Smith gave up Journey’s arena rock to gain Vital Information
Humble guitar master Allan Holdsworth always struggles to pay the rent
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 4, 1986 By Steve Newton Today he's regarded by critics and musicians alike as one of the most distinctive guitarists in the world. He's been the principal soloist for the likes of U.K., Gong, Bill Bruford, Soft Machine, Tony Williams' Lifetime and Jean-Luc Ponty. And he's one of the few players … Continue reading Humble guitar master Allan Holdsworth always struggles to pay the rent
Roy Buchanan on being asked to join the Stones, his fave guitarists, and Jeff Beck’s dedication to him
On January 26, 1986, I did my first interview with guitar legend Roy Buchanan, who was coming to Vancouver for a show at the Town Pump.
Roy Buchanan lets his soul scream in Vancouver
me 'n Roy hangin' at the Pump ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 14, 1986 By Steve Newton There were some people who felt that Roy Buchanan played way too loud and not nearly enough at the Town Pump last Monday (February 10). Then there were others--like myself--who could care less about such things as long as … Continue reading Roy Buchanan lets his soul scream in Vancouver
Roy Buchanan on turning down the Rolling Stones, loving Van Halen, and being flattered by Jeff Beck
me 'n Roy at the Town Pump, February 10, 1986 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 7, 1986 By Steve Newton Not many guitarists can say they were invited to join the Rolling Stones. Not many can say they turned the offer down either. But Roy Buchanan--quite possibly the best white blues guitarist in the world--can say … Continue reading Roy Buchanan on turning down the Rolling Stones, loving Van Halen, and being flattered by Jeff Beck
My one and only interview with blues legend Albert Collins, who wanted to meet Clapton real bad
kirk west photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 27, 1985 By Steve Newton Musician Magazine calls him "the most powerful blues guitarist in the world." He has won awards from the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the French Academie du Jazz, and the Memphis Blues Foundation, and received three Grammy nominations. He is known as "The Icepicker", "The … Continue reading My one and only interview with blues legend Albert Collins, who wanted to meet Clapton real bad