By Steve Newton Two of the top talents in Canadian and American blues-rock collided in a fine way at the York Theatre in Vancouver last Friday (March 10). That's when the New Jersey-born bluesman Walter Trout--formerly of Canned Heat and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers--invited Nanaimo's David Gogo up to jam. Gogo had opened the show with … Continue reading Can-Am blues-rock summit sees David Gogo trading fierce licks with Walter Trout in Vancouver
Tag: Vancouver
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
That time 24-year-old Jon Bon Jovi raved to me about recording in Vancouver just before Slippery When Wet exploded on the charts
By Steve Newton I did my second interview with Jon Bon Jovi in July of 1986, when his band was heading to Vancouver for a date opening for Judas Priest. Little did anybody know that one month later, when Bon Jovi released its made-in-Vancouver album Slippery When Wet, it would rocket to worldwide fame and … Continue reading That time 24-year-old Jon Bon Jovi raved to me about recording in Vancouver just before Slippery When Wet exploded on the charts
That time I asked Allan Holdsworth what he thought of Eddie Van Halen
By Steve Newton If you were reading the top guitar magazines back in the early '80s you may have heard the buzz about this phenomenal British player named Allan Holdsworth. A lot of the buzz was being generated by one Eddie Van Halen, who was touting Holdsworth's abilities whenever he got a chance. Right around … Continue reading That time I asked Allan Holdsworth what he thought of Eddie Van Halen
Steve Cropper’s musical career has been touched by tragedy but his killer guitar licks endure
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 27, 2019 By Steve Newton On the phone from his home in Nashville, Steve Cropper sounds happy and full of life. He talks a lot and ends most of his sentences with a chuckle, as you might expect from a guy who's spent the last 60-or-so years of his life doing … Continue reading Steve Cropper’s musical career has been touched by tragedy but his killer guitar licks endure
Sonny Landreth pays tribute to old friend Johnny Winter in Vancouver
photo by the Newt By Steve Newton Louisiana slide-guitar ace Sonny Landreth played Vancouver last night, and if you're a fan of bluesy, southern-style bottleneck, I hope you didn't miss it. The player Eric Clapton calls first when he needs world-class slide did not disappoint--especially when he dedicated a tune to his old friend Johnny … Continue reading Sonny Landreth pays tribute to old friend Johnny Winter in Vancouver
Album review: Aerosmith, Permanent Vacation (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 18, 1987 By Steve Newton "If you grew up in the '70s you liked Aerosmith." That's what Peter Buck of R.E.M. wrote in the liner notes to his band's version of Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic," and Buck knows of which he speaks. With albums like Get Your … Continue reading Album review: Aerosmith, Permanent Vacation (1987)
Steve Cropper says that his favourite living guitarist isn’t Clapton, Beck, or Page–it’s Feliciano
By Steve Newton I interviewed guitar legend Steve Cropper last week, in advance of his gig with Dave Mason in Vancouver this Wednesday, and man was I psyched about that. You just can't find musicians with more cred than Crop. So of course I had to ask the 77-year-old fretmaster my standard question for players … Continue reading Steve Cropper says that his favourite living guitarist isn’t Clapton, Beck, or Page–it’s Feliciano
That time Lemmy from Motörhead told me that Randy Rhoads became much better after he died
By Steve Newton I got to interview rock legend Lemmy Kilmister a couple of times, first in April of 1999 and then again in the following century, in May of 2002. During that '99 chat I mentioned how I'd first seen Motörhead back in 1983, when they opened for Ozzy Osbourne on the Blizzard of Oz tour … Continue reading That time Lemmy from Motörhead told me that Randy Rhoads became much better after he died
Rory Gallagher’s ex-bassist ponders the music Rory might be making if he were alive today
By Steve Newton As we kick off a new year it's fun to ponder what type of music is to come--or what might have been if certain rock legends hadn't passed before their time. When I interviewed Rory Gallagher's bassist of 20 years, Gerry McAvoy, last month, I asked him what kind of music he thought … Continue reading Rory Gallagher’s ex-bassist ponders the music Rory might be making if he were alive today
Happy Newt Year: a social-studies teacher really likes my book on Gord Downie
By Steve Newton Happy Newt Year everybody! January 1 is often a day of reflection, going over the previous year's highlights, so let's get reflectin'. As a rock writer, 2018 had some memorable moments. I pulled off my eighth interview with guitar hero Joe Satriani, for one thing. I had my first chat with Gerry … Continue reading Happy Newt Year: a social-studies teacher really likes my book on Gord Downie
That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album
By Steve Newton I've been reading Mick Wall's 2012 book about AC/DC, Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be, and today I got to the part about the band recording 1983's Flick of the Switch, which the author reckons is AC/DC's worst album ever. I will admit it's no Powerage, but hey--the title track is … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album
Chillin’ with blues legend Buddy Guy backstage at the Commodore
By Steve Newton Here's me hangin' with one of my fave all-time bluesmen, Mr. Buddy Guy. It was backstage at the Commodore Ballroom, one of the top concert venues in Vancouver. I remember this meeting well, because the former proprietor of the Commodore, local legend Drew Burns, also showed up to say hi to Buddy. … Continue reading Chillin’ with blues legend Buddy Guy backstage at the Commodore