Album review: Blackfoot, Siogo (1983)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 24, 1983 By Steve Newton Former Uriah Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley has become the fifth Blackfoot member on their fourth studio album, Siogo. While I was a little worried that the overpowering organ sound he'd often wielded in his former band might drown out the gritty guitars of Rickey … Continue reading Album review: Blackfoot, Siogo (1983)

That time Circus Magazine’s editorial department sent me a rejection letter :(

By Steve Newton Thirty-six years ago today 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 MOTT, … Continue reading That time Circus Magazine’s editorial department sent me a rejection letter 🙁

Even the kids in Def Leppard can’t make Uriah Heep feel old

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 15, 1983 By Steve Newton Next Wednesday (July 20) at the Pacific Coliseum original Heepsters Mick Box and Lee Kerslake on guitar and drums will be joined by bassist Trevor Bolder, keyboardist John Sinclair, and singer Peter Goalby to give us Uriah Heep '80s-style. Performing material from their … Continue reading Even the kids in Def Leppard can’t make Uriah Heep feel old

Def Leppard’s Rick Savage on new guitarist Phil Collen, producer Mutt Lange, and the stunning success of Pyromania

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 18, 1983 By Steve Newton While it is true that Def Leppard's lyrical messages most often deal with the time-worn teenage pastimes of partying and getting it on, it's not so much what they're saying as how they're saying it--with all the conviction and drive young hands can channel through a … Continue reading Def Leppard’s Rick Savage on new guitarist Phil Collen, producer Mutt Lange, and the stunning success of Pyromania

Wherein the Newt pines for the ’70s along with a panel of Vancouver rock experts

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 4, 1993 “The music you listen to becomes the soundtrack of your life.” —Mike Bloomfield Ah, the ’70s—what a great decade for rock. I don’t care what anybody says, because, disco aside, the ’70s ruled, man. Back then I could easily name 50 bands that I was crazy … Continue reading Wherein the Newt pines for the ’70s along with a panel of Vancouver rock experts

It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Oyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver

By Steve Newton On November 6, 1993, I saw the Total Recall tour at the Commodore Ballroom. No less than four of my fave bands from the '70s were on the bill. Here's the review that ran in the Georgia Straight the following week. In last week's Straight we ran a little panel discussion wherein various … Continue reading It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Oyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver

Former David Bowie bassist Trevor Bolder dies of cancer at 62

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 21, 2013 First we got the sad news yesterday that former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek had died from cancer at the age of 74. Now comes word that bassist Trevor Bolder, former member of David Bowie's amazing backup band the Spiders from Mars, has succumbed to the Big C at … Continue reading Former David Bowie bassist Trevor Bolder dies of cancer at 62

Old-school Sora is all about the classic rock

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 8, 2005 If Erol Sora had released his new album, Demented Honour, 30 years ago, he'd have been an instant superstar, touring the world, packing 20,000-seat arenas, and drowning in chicks, champagne, and caviar. At least that's the impression you get from the CD's boisterously catchy opener, "Guilty". The singer, … Continue reading Old-school Sora is all about the classic rock