Steve Newton
@earofnewt.bsky.social
freelance music-writer and journalist for 40+ years; author of the 2018 beer-table book Gord Downie; owner of the website earofnewt.com; check out over 500 of my audio interviews with rock legends since 1982 on my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/c/earofnewt
anybody else tiring of podcasts that only run 90 minutes or more? Here's a nice compact interview I did with #CraigNorthey back in 2003 when he was plugging his one-and-only solo album
Don't worry, he'd get back with #Odds soon enough
www.patreon.com/posts/craig-...
Don't worry, he'd get back with #Odds soon enough
www.patreon.com/posts/craig-...
Craig Northey, February 25, 2003 | Ear of Newt
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November 13, 2025 at 12:40 AM
anybody else tiring of podcasts that only run 90 minutes or more? Here's a nice compact interview I did with #CraigNorthey back in 2003 when he was plugging his one-and-only solo album
Don't worry, he'd get back with #Odds soon enough
www.patreon.com/posts/craig-...
Don't worry, he'd get back with #Odds soon enough
www.patreon.com/posts/craig-...
Reposted by Steve Newton
Another “Booker T. Birthday! Besides Booker T. And The MGs, this man was an huge part of Stax Records and, amongst many other achievements, produced the Willie Nelson album “Stardust”. I’ve never met him, but I got to communicate through my journalist friend @earofnewt.bsky.social Booker T. Jones!
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Another “Booker T. Birthday! Besides Booker T. And The MGs, this man was an huge part of Stax Records and, amongst many other achievements, produced the Willie Nelson album “Stardust”. I’ve never met him, but I got to communicate through my journalist friend @earofnewt.bsky.social Booker T. Jones!
happy 78th birthday to Blue Öyster Cult guitarist-vocalist Buck Dharma, who I've interviewed three times, this being the first:
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blueoystercultist.bsky.social @buckdharma.bsky.social @riffology.co @bravewordscom.bsky.social
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blueoystercultist.bsky.social @buckdharma.bsky.social @riffology.co @bravewordscom.bsky.social
Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser of Blue Öyster Cult, January 11, 1997 | Ear of Newt
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November 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
happy 78th birthday to Blue Öyster Cult guitarist-vocalist Buck Dharma, who I've interviewed three times, this being the first:
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blueoystercultist.bsky.social @buckdharma.bsky.social @riffology.co @bravewordscom.bsky.social
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blueoystercultist.bsky.social @buckdharma.bsky.social @riffology.co @bravewordscom.bsky.social
the World War I Canadian Army belt of my maternal grandfather, Daniel Q. Calvert. I also had two uncles--Cyril (pictured) and Baz, the Newton boys from Belfast--who flew RAF bombing runs into Germany during World War II. One of the Newton boys, Lyle, died during training exercises
Lest we forget
Lest we forget
November 12, 2025 at 1:26 AM
the World War I Canadian Army belt of my maternal grandfather, Daniel Q. Calvert. I also had two uncles--Cyril (pictured) and Baz, the Newton boys from Belfast--who flew RAF bombing runs into Germany during World War II. One of the Newton boys, Lyle, died during training exercises
Lest we forget
Lest we forget
happy 72nd birthday to #MarshallCrenshaw, one of the most underappreciated pop-rock singer-songwriters ever
It was an honour to interview him back in 2013
earofnewt.com/2013/08/11/m...
It was an honour to interview him back in 2013
earofnewt.com/2013/08/11/m...
November 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
happy 72nd birthday to #MarshallCrenshaw, one of the most underappreciated pop-rock singer-songwriters ever
It was an honour to interview him back in 2013
earofnewt.com/2013/08/11/m...
It was an honour to interview him back in 2013
earofnewt.com/2013/08/11/m...
just posted the full audio of my 1997 interview with #TomWilson of #Junkhouse
They were one of my fave Canuck-rock bands of the '90s
@tomwilson.bsky.social
They were one of my fave Canuck-rock bands of the '90s
@tomwilson.bsky.social
Tom Wilson of Junkhouse, November 8, 1997 | Ear of Newt
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November 11, 2025 at 8:57 PM
just posted the full audio of my 1997 interview with #TomWilson of #Junkhouse
They were one of my fave Canuck-rock bands of the '90s
@tomwilson.bsky.social
They were one of my fave Canuck-rock bands of the '90s
@tomwilson.bsky.social
lookee what my wife made at work!
Who says I’m the only talented one in the family?
Who says I’m the only talented one in the family?
November 10, 2025 at 11:45 PM
lookee what my wife made at work!
Who says I’m the only talented one in the family?
Who says I’m the only talented one in the family?
remembering Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Greg Lake, born on this day in 1947 in Poole, England. Back in 1992 I got flown out from Vancouver to Montreal to interview him, so that was cool
earofnewt.com/2016/12/08/t...
earofnewt.com/2016/12/08/t...
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 PM
remembering Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Greg Lake, born on this day in 1947 in Poole, England. Back in 1992 I got flown out from Vancouver to Montreal to interview him, so that was cool
earofnewt.com/2016/12/08/t...
earofnewt.com/2016/12/08/t...
just posted the full audio of my 1997 interview with American picker #RobbenFord, for all you #guitar freaks out there
@guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
@guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
Robben Ford, November 4, 1997 | Ear of Newt
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November 10, 2025 at 2:49 AM
just posted the full audio of my 1997 interview with American picker #RobbenFord, for all you #guitar freaks out there
@guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
@guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
35 years ago today #CountryDickMontana called me up from his home in San Diego and we talked about Joey Harris's wedding and stuff
Tomorrow will be the 30th anniversary of his passing
www.patreon.com/posts/countr...
Tomorrow will be the 30th anniversary of his passing
www.patreon.com/posts/countr...
Country Dick Montana of the Beat Farmers, November 7, 1990 | Ear of Newt
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November 7, 2025 at 9:36 PM
35 years ago today #CountryDickMontana called me up from his home in San Diego and we talked about Joey Harris's wedding and stuff
Tomorrow will be the 30th anniversary of his passing
www.patreon.com/posts/countr...
Tomorrow will be the 30th anniversary of his passing
www.patreon.com/posts/countr...
40 years ago today I did my first interview with Canadian blues-rocker David Wilcox, who was fun to chat with:
“Basically I feel like a plumber."
patreon.com/posts/david-...
“Basically I feel like a plumber."
patreon.com/posts/david-...
David Wilcox, November 7, 1985 | Ear of Newt
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patreon.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
40 years ago today I did my first interview with Canadian blues-rocker David Wilcox, who was fun to chat with:
“Basically I feel like a plumber."
patreon.com/posts/david-...
“Basically I feel like a plumber."
patreon.com/posts/david-...
on this night in 1993 I saw four of my fave bands from the '70s
#Nazareth #BlueOysterCult #UriahHeep #WIshboneAsh
#Nazareth #BlueOysterCult #UriahHeep #WIshboneAsh
It's '70s-rock heaven as Blue Öyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver
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.
earofnewt.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:47 AM
on this night in 1993 I saw four of my fave bands from the '70s
#Nazareth #BlueOysterCult #UriahHeep #WIshboneAsh
#Nazareth #BlueOysterCult #UriahHeep #WIshboneAsh
happy 81st birthday to Bill Henderson of Chilliwack
I did my last interview of the 20th century with the guy who sang and played that wild guitar on "Fly at Night"
I did my last interview of the 20th century with the guy who sang and played that wild guitar on "Fly at Night"
Bill Henderson of Chilliwack, December 13, 1999 | Ear of Newt
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November 7, 2025 at 7:08 AM
happy 81st birthday to Bill Henderson of Chilliwack
I did my last interview of the 20th century with the guy who sang and played that wild guitar on "Fly at Night"
I did my last interview of the 20th century with the guy who sang and played that wild guitar on "Fly at Night"
just realized that on this day in 1998 I interviewed Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule, Dave Wyndorf of Monster Magnet, and Rob Zombie. Not bad work, if I do say so myself. (You can hear all three interviews--and over 600 more--on my Patreon page.)
www.patreon.com/c/earofnewt
www.patreon.com/c/earofnewt
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 AM
just realized that on this day in 1998 I interviewed Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule, Dave Wyndorf of Monster Magnet, and Rob Zombie. Not bad work, if I do say so myself. (You can hear all three interviews--and over 600 more--on my Patreon page.)
www.patreon.com/c/earofnewt
www.patreon.com/c/earofnewt
35 years ago today Jeff Waters of Canadian thrash-metal band Annihilator called me up from a tour stop in New Orleans, so I kept the tape
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blabbermouthnet.bsky.social @bravewordscom.bsky.social @thrashmetaldad.bsky.social #Annihilator #JeffWaters
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blabbermouthnet.bsky.social @bravewordscom.bsky.social @thrashmetaldad.bsky.social #Annihilator #JeffWaters
Jeff Waters of Annihilator, November 6, 1990 | Ear of Newt
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November 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM
35 years ago today Jeff Waters of Canadian thrash-metal band Annihilator called me up from a tour stop in New Orleans, so I kept the tape
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blabbermouthnet.bsky.social @bravewordscom.bsky.social @thrashmetaldad.bsky.social #Annihilator #JeffWaters
@thisdayinmetal.bsky.social @blabbermouthnet.bsky.social @bravewordscom.bsky.social @thrashmetaldad.bsky.social #Annihilator #JeffWaters
happy 59th birthday to guitar great Paul Gilbert, who I interviewed when he was 25
@mrbigband.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @ultclassicrock.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy
@mrbigband.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @ultclassicrock.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy
That time 25-year-old Paul Gilbert told me how he wangled a ride from a Mr. Big fan to see Pat Travers near Vancouver
I interviewed Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert back in March of 1992, when the band was touring behind its second album, Lean Into It.
earofnewt.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:25 AM
happy 59th birthday to guitar great Paul Gilbert, who I interviewed when he was 25
@mrbigband.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @ultclassicrock.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy
@mrbigband.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @ultclassicrock.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy
my list of cool stuff to do in #Vancouver this weekend
@rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @ronsexsmith.bsky.social @hollywoodtheatre.org @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @waldorf.bsky.social @avalanche.bsky.social
@rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @ronsexsmith.bsky.social @hollywoodtheatre.org @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @waldorf.bsky.social @avalanche.bsky.social
Newt's top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, November 7 to 9
Tribute band Maiden Vancouver plays a set of Iron Maiden classics and a full setlist from 1985 at the Tsawwassen Legion on Saturday.
earofnewt.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:57 PM
my list of cool stuff to do in #Vancouver this weekend
@rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @ronsexsmith.bsky.social @hollywoodtheatre.org @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @waldorf.bsky.social @avalanche.bsky.social
@rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @ronsexsmith.bsky.social @hollywoodtheatre.org @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @waldorf.bsky.social @avalanche.bsky.social
American (don't hold it against her) comedian @mariabamford.bsky.social performs two SOLD OUT shows at the Rio tonight. I interviewed her in 2022:
"...if people laugh that means they know what I’m talking about. If they don’t, well, then we’re all in a pickle.”
earofnewt.com/2024/01/12/m...
"...if people laugh that means they know what I’m talking about. If they don’t, well, then we’re all in a pickle.”
earofnewt.com/2024/01/12/m...
Maria Bamford is Stephen Colbert's favourite comedian on planet earth
Maria Bamford's first memories of comedy came from listening to her dad's Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy records.
earofnewt.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
American (don't hold it against her) comedian @mariabamford.bsky.social performs two SOLD OUT shows at the Rio tonight. I interviewed her in 2022:
"...if people laugh that means they know what I’m talking about. If they don’t, well, then we’re all in a pickle.”
earofnewt.com/2024/01/12/m...
"...if people laugh that means they know what I’m talking about. If they don’t, well, then we’re all in a pickle.”
earofnewt.com/2024/01/12/m...
hugely entertaining tribute band Coast to Coast does it again with another classic UFO cover
Vancouver's Coast to Coast tribute band performs UFO's 1978 riff-rock classic, "Only You Can Rock Me"
UFO released its seventh studio album, Obsession, in the summer of 1978, and you bet your ass I ran out and bought a copy ASAP.
earofnewt.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:10 AM
hugely entertaining tribute band Coast to Coast does it again with another classic UFO cover
happy 71st b-day to #ChrisDifford, who I interviewed 35 years ago when Squeeze was opening for Fleetwood Mac:
"I am quite excited about touring with Fleetwood Mac--I used to enjoy them when I was at school, the early albums with Peter Green."
@squeezeofficial.com @chrisdiffordlyrics.bsky.social
"I am quite excited about touring with Fleetwood Mac--I used to enjoy them when I was at school, the early albums with Peter Green."
@squeezeofficial.com @chrisdiffordlyrics.bsky.social
Squeeze carries on undeterred after Jools Holland opts for his "Mr. Showbiz caper"
Eventually we had to say, 'It's either us or your Mr. Showbiz caper.' And, quite rightly, he followed his instinct and chose television."
earofnewt.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:29 AM
happy 71st b-day to #ChrisDifford, who I interviewed 35 years ago when Squeeze was opening for Fleetwood Mac:
"I am quite excited about touring with Fleetwood Mac--I used to enjoy them when I was at school, the early albums with Peter Green."
@squeezeofficial.com @chrisdiffordlyrics.bsky.social
"I am quite excited about touring with Fleetwood Mac--I used to enjoy them when I was at school, the early albums with Peter Green."
@squeezeofficial.com @chrisdiffordlyrics.bsky.social
the day before Sabbath played Vancouver for Ozzfest 1999 I asked local rock personalities like Bif Naked, Joe Keithley, Brian Gillstrom, J.J. Caithcart, John Armstrong, Lyle Chausse, and the guys from CiTR's Power Chord radio show about their recollections of the band
Vancouver rockers, radio hosts, and record-store owners reflect on the power of Black Sabbath
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1999 By Steve Newton Because of its brutal sound and satanic overtones, Black Sabbath was never as widely accepted as the Beatles or the Stones, but its influence amon...
earofnewt.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 AM
the day before Sabbath played Vancouver for Ozzfest 1999 I asked local rock personalities like Bif Naked, Joe Keithley, Brian Gillstrom, J.J. Caithcart, John Armstrong, Lyle Chausse, and the guys from CiTR's Power Chord radio show about their recollections of the band
just posted my 1989 interview with #GeorgeThorogood for the first time ever, and you can hear the full audio on my Patreon page as well
@bluesrockreview.bsky.social @bluesmusicfan.bsky.social @jasonatbsr.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @gibsonguitarhouse.bsky.social
@bluesrockreview.bsky.social @bluesmusicfan.bsky.social @jasonatbsr.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @gibsonguitarhouse.bsky.social
George Thorogood says that the guitar just made all the sense in the world to him--and he dug it
"Guitar was the easiest thing, because you can travel with it, you can play on the street corner with it, and you can do auditions with it..."
earofnewt.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM
just posted my 1989 interview with #GeorgeThorogood for the first time ever, and you can hear the full audio on my Patreon page as well
@bluesrockreview.bsky.social @bluesmusicfan.bsky.social @jasonatbsr.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @gibsonguitarhouse.bsky.social
@bluesrockreview.bsky.social @bluesmusicfan.bsky.social @jasonatbsr.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @gibsonguitarhouse.bsky.social
AC/DC is playing Vancouver again, in case you haven't seen 'em yet
@acdcbrasil.bsky.social @gertspaepen.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @rocksbackpages.bsky.social @rockmusicassoc.bsky.social #ACDC
@acdcbrasil.bsky.social @gertspaepen.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @rocksbackpages.bsky.social @rockmusicassoc.bsky.social #ACDC
AC/DC plays Vancouver yet again in 2026, but will it still be bloody worth it?
me ‘n angus and some memorabilia By Steve Newton I’m a lucky guy, ’cause I’ve seen AC/DC in concert a buncha times. The first time was at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum back in 1983, at the start of the...
earofnewt.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:58 PM
AC/DC is playing Vancouver again, in case you haven't seen 'em yet
@acdcbrasil.bsky.social @gertspaepen.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @rocksbackpages.bsky.social @rockmusicassoc.bsky.social #ACDC
@acdcbrasil.bsky.social @gertspaepen.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @rocksbackpages.bsky.social @rockmusicassoc.bsky.social #ACDC
on this day in 1983 I did my first interview with guitar genius #AllanHoldsworth, who told me what he thought of #EddieVanHalen
@allanholdsworthgrp.bsky.social @eddievanhalen1.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
@allanholdsworthgrp.bsky.social @eddievanhalen1.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
That time I asked Allan Holdsworth what he thought of Eddie Van Halen
If you were reading the top guitar mags back in the early '80s you may have heard the buzz about this British player named Allan Holdsworth.
earofnewt.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:22 PM
on this day in 1983 I did my first interview with guitar genius #AllanHoldsworth, who told me what he thought of #EddieVanHalen
@allanholdsworthgrp.bsky.social @eddievanhalen1.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
@allanholdsworthgrp.bsky.social @eddievanhalen1.bsky.social @classicrockmag.bsky.social @guitarworld.com.web.brid.gy @guitarplayer.com.web.brid.gy
my list of cool stuff to do in Vancouver this week
@bifnaked.bsky.social @riotheatre.bsky.social @corinnelea.bsky.social @rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @dreamsyndicate.bsky.social @chicagoblackhawks.bsky.social @thecinematheque.bsky.social @mariabamford.bsky.social
@bifnaked.bsky.social @riotheatre.bsky.social @corinnelea.bsky.social @rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @dreamsyndicate.bsky.social @chicagoblackhawks.bsky.social @thecinematheque.bsky.social @mariabamford.bsky.social
Newt's top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, November 3 to 7
Bif Naked performs an acoustic set at the Rio on Tuesday, preceded by a screening of Pollyanna Hardwicke-Brown‘s new documentary about her.
earofnewt.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM
my list of cool stuff to do in Vancouver this week
@bifnaked.bsky.social @riotheatre.bsky.social @corinnelea.bsky.social @rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @dreamsyndicate.bsky.social @chicagoblackhawks.bsky.social @thecinematheque.bsky.social @mariabamford.bsky.social
@bifnaked.bsky.social @riotheatre.bsky.social @corinnelea.bsky.social @rickshawtheatre.bsky.social @cityofvancouver.bsky.social @dreamsyndicate.bsky.social @chicagoblackhawks.bsky.social @thecinematheque.bsky.social @mariabamford.bsky.social