Jimi with Billy's old band, the Moving Sidewalks. Elizabeth Avedon photo. Guitar legend Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top e-mailed me a few days ago and--among other things--replied to a question put forth by Nanaimo blues-rocker David Gogo, who wanted to know what Gibbons thought Jimi Hendrix would be up to if he was still around. … Continue reading ZZ Top’s current setlist includes nods to Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters
Tag: ZZ Top
My first ever e-mail interview, because it’s Billy freakin’ Gibbons, that’s why!
I've done hundreds of interviews with famous rockers since I started writing professionally back in 1982, most of them over the phone--in advance of a Vancouver tour date--some of them in person. It's always been my policy to turn down offers of e-mail interviews--where you send in questions and the answers are sent back--because good … Continue reading My first ever e-mail interview, because it’s Billy freakin’ Gibbons, that’s why!
ZZ Top box set will include original mixes of three early albums
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 1, 2013 By Steve Newton Remember how ZZ Top's Tejas album sounded back in '76 when you tossed it on your Yamaha turntable, cranked up the Kenwood amp, and blasted it through those Pioneer speakers? Well, I sure do. It sounded wicked! Especially when it got to "Pam Am Highway Blues". Fellow … Continue reading ZZ Top box set will include original mixes of three early albums
Anybody got a question for ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons?
One of my all-time fave bands from the '70s, ZZ Top, is playing Vancouver on March 22. Their albums made my personal Top 30 charts in 1971, '72, '73, '75, '76, and '79. Sadly, they didn't release any LPs in '70, '74, '77, and '78, not that the seventies had room for even one more shitkicker … Continue reading Anybody got a question for ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons?
ZZ Top’s been rockin’ with the same dudes for nigh on 45 years
ZZ Top is the only major rock band from the '70s that still exists in the exact same form as on its first album, and for that you've got to give the bearded wonders credit. Rush would be up for similar acclaim were it not for John Rutsey playing on their debut album before Neil … Continue reading ZZ Top’s been rockin’ with the same dudes for nigh on 45 years
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1979
Ah, 1979. According to my calculations, that was the last year of the '70s, which was the greatest decade for guitar-based rock music ever. I'd like to thank Fender, Gibson, Marshall, and everyone else who created the instruments of my enjoyment back then. A Million Vacations: Max Webster ("Paradise Skies", "A Million Vacations", "Let Go … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1979
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1975
Ah, 1975. The year I graduated high school. Talk about dazed and confused. Albums listed alphabetically by title, including three choice tracks from each one to help you remember how wicked they really were. Against the Grain: Rory Gallagher ("Bought and Sold", "Out on the Western Plain", "Lost at Sea") America's Choice: Hot Tuna ("Sleep … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1975
ZZ Top to play first-ever Vancouver theatre show this March
I've been lucky enough to have seen ZZ Top a number of times over the years, the first being at the Pacific Coliseum back in 1976 or so. I think it was on the Fandango tour, but I can't find any mention of that gig anywhere online. Anybody else see that show, before the big-beard period? Pretty … Continue reading ZZ Top to play first-ever Vancouver theatre show this March
Sipping tea with AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson before the launch of the Flick of the Switch world tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 28, 1983 By Steve Newton The day before their October 11 concert at the Pacific Coliseum I journeyed downtown to the posh Four Seasons Hotel to meet with three of the five members of AC/DC--the loudest, raunchiest, and most popular heavy-metal band in the world. Now I wasn't too sure just … Continue reading Sipping tea with AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson before the launch of the Flick of the Switch world tour
ZZ Top, the Pretenders, and Brian Setzer bring ’70s-rock magic to Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 29, 2007 I saw some very cool things at the big Jack FM classic-rock triple bill at GM Place last Thursday (August 23). First off, local punk-rock legend Joey "Shithead" Keithley could be seen strolling along the mezzanine, where he was accosted every 10 paces by a wide-eyed fan who … Continue reading ZZ Top, the Pretenders, and Brian Setzer bring ’70s-rock magic to Vancouver
Unplugged sounds are Tom Taylor’s first love
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 13, 2008 TOM TAYLOR LOVES acoustic guitars. That’s why, when he shows up at the Georgia Straight building to chat about his new CD, Running Late, he’s sporting a baseball cap that reads Santa Cruz Guitar Co. Taylor didn’t use any of those instruments on his latest album, though, choosing instead … Continue reading Unplugged sounds are Tom Taylor’s first love