Rock ‘N Roll

What About Now one of Bon Jovi’s weakest releases: album review

Singer Jon Bon Jovi seems to be trying awfully hard to sustain interest       ROCK Bon Jovi What About Now (Island/Universal) 1.5 stars   Bon Jovi may have been responsible for some of the most bombastic hairspray rock of the past two decades, but at least those albums registered a pulse. On What About Now, the immeasurably popular New Jersey rockers’ first album since 2009’s The Circle and…


Ian Hunter and Rant play Lee’s Palace Dec. 7

At 73, Ian Hunter is no longer a young dude. But that doesn’t mean there are times when he doesn’t feel like one. Rocker Ian Hunter plays Lee’s Palace Dec. 7 with his band Rant. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Dec 05 2012 At 73, Ian Hunter is no longer a young dude. But that doesn’t mean there are times when he doesn’t feel like…


Nickelback burns up ACC

  Nick Krewen Special To The Star, Published on Sun Apr 22 2012 Rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be larger than life. Last night at the Air Canada Centre, Nickelback made it seem mammoth. Operating under the notion that bigger is better, the four deans of lustful, bone-crunching rock offered the estimated 14,000 in attendance (and pop star Avril Lavigne) everything that one would expect from a dazzling marvel:…


Brian Wilson: Talking about ‘Plenty O’ Nuttin’

Entertainment / Music Pop visionary chats, just a bit, about Gershwin before Toronto show.     Pop legend Brian Wilson got a chance to complete two unfinished George Gershwin songs for his recent album. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Jun 17 2011 Has pop music ever had a more tortured soul than visionary Brian Wilson? From the physical and psychological abuse inflicted by an intimidating father, to his…


Mike Wanchic strums for Mellencamp

NICK KREWEN Hamilton Spectator Thursday, August 18, 1994 Dance Naked, John Mellencamp‘s latest album that contains his hit remake of Van Morrison‘s ‘Wild Night’, didn’t only surprise the public — it also shocked his co-producer. Mike Wanchic, guitarist and co-producer in the Indiana singer and composer’s band since 1978, said he was astonished he received a phone call from his boss to head back into the studio within months of…