The Steve Thompson Band

There comes a point in the Autumn years when a guy might contemplate what his legacy (if any) could be. This could be small things like good deeds remembered. Luckily, I think I’ve sown enough of those to offset any bad shit I might have done.

As I was preparing my Songwriting Masterclass I found myself recalling the point at which I joined Impulse studios in Wallsend to become a record producer/songwriter/publisher/A&R guy. When I walked away several years later it was in order to concentrate purely on being a songwriter. Bands I’d produced got on with their careers and I got on with mine. I paid scant attention to the body of work I’d amassed as a producer as my focus became songwriting. It’s only in the past couple of years that I’ve started to realize what some of the foundations I laid had led to.  Not least of all I found myself cited as “The Godfather of The North East NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). I did touch base again with the Tygers of Pan Tang a few years further down the line after quitting Neat with their 5th and 6th albums but I’ve only recently touched base again with Raven and Venom. I’m beginning to appreciate that I helped start things that influenced a whole generation of performers worldwide. Metallica springs to mind as one example. I was so wrapped up in my own career that I forgot to observe others that I’d had an influence on. I’m not beating myself up about this but it’s pleasant to find that musicians I helped back in the day have not forgotten. Sorry if this sounds like a bragging fest. Not at all, I’m just taking stock.

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THE STEVE THOMPSON BAND

Consett born Steve Thompson has written songs that have been recorded by Celine Dion, Sheena Easton, Elkie Brooks, The Hollies, The Searchers, Tygers of Pan Tang, Baby Ford, Colin Blunstone, Elaine Page and Chris Farlowe.‘Steve Thompson Songwriter’ features Steve’s own band playing new versions of the songs that he’s written for many of these and other artists. In the show he  also tells the stories behind these songs as well as anecdotes from his time in the music industry, working closely with an equally impressive list of Producers such as Gus Dudgeon ( Elton John, Chris Rea); Rodger Bain (Black Sabbath); Christopher Neil (Mike & The Mechanics, Marillion, Gerry Rafferty) and Peter Collins (Rush, Gary Moore, Bon Jovi)……

In a long and varied career, Steve also wrote and produced some key recordings during the ‘New Wave of British Heavy Metal’ (NWOBHM) including Raven, Venom (both huge influences on rock giants, Metallica) and Tygers of Pan Tang, who at one time featured another collaborator of Steve’s – guitarist John Sykes, who went on to join David Coverdale in Whitesnake.

THE LONG FADE (an album 50 years in the making)

Steve has been in the studio with his band recording new versions of the songs he wrote for the artists mentioned above plus brand-new songs. “The Long Fade” to be released May 30th. Steve was born in Consett and his musical career began there with his first ever gig at the Freemasons Arms. This was with his band Bullfrog back in 1969. Since then he has worked largely as a songwriter and producer. So essentially The Long Fade – for the first time –   Steve’s ‘own’ album – 50 years in the making!

Guests have come forward from Steve’s past as a songwriter and record producer and have contributed to the album. People such as John Gallagher of Raven, Steve Lamb of Tygers of Pan Tang, Tony Bray of Venom and John Verity of Argent. But it’s not a heavy metal/rock album. The album contains Steve’s huge pop ballad hit Hurry Home juxtapositioned with another hit for Tygers Of Pan Tang: Paris by air via blue eyed soul for Celine and Sheena: Please Don’t Sympathise.  Also featured is Jayne Mackenzie who Steve produced for Neat Records 02 when she was 11 years old. Going even further back is Mick Glancy who formed Bullfrog with Steve in 1969. 50 years later they’re working together again!

CD, Download or Stream – Click Here
(Includes free download of artwork and lyrics)

As Steve reflects; “My band did a cracking gig at the Georgian Theatre, Stockton last March. The band members were well chuffed. But then musicians started to leave, falling like dominos. Eventually, there was just me, a bass player and a girl singer left and there’s not much you can do with that. So, we went into a studio and started recording. Eventually, we attracted new people and the project became THE LONG FADE”

“With a cracking band who share a marvellous bonhomie, this show is a must for anyone with the slightest interest in music. It’s entertaining, informative and it ‘works’. Look out for this show. You will not regret it“. Ian Wood, (Get Ready to Rock!) Read the full review at www.bit.ly/stbandreview
www.steve-thompson.org.uk​    www.facebook.com/thestevethompsonband/

Wow, what a lovely time I had last night at The Steel Club, Consett “Homecoming Show”. I don’t think I’ve ever done a show with such a warm and friendly atmosphere. My highlights are too many to mention. Dave Ditchburn’s gyrations were infections to the whole front line. Many times I looked out on a sea of faces with many folks up on chairs taking pictures. Hopefully, some pictures will start to come in via Facebook. There were folks at the show who have been coming to hear me make music in one form or another going back 50 years. I was gobsmacked when the Manageress said to me “we’re honoured that you brought this show here”. With so much to do, playing, telling stories and pressing various pedals including one to advance the projections there were bound to be mishaps. Several times I was playing one guitar whilst the other was plugged in – Hilarious. It was remarkable to see so much goodwill and good vibes packed into one small place – it was quite special. Thank you Steel Club, ST Band and Audience. The single is out today: download and CD purchase info is here The album “THE LONG FADE” will be launched at a show The Cluny, Newcastle on May 30th. Tickets now on sale.

Here is a preview of our single “Like My Fathers Father” out April 12th. It will be available to download or order CD via www.fathersfather.xyz from 12th

Book my band and you get a maintenance fitter (aka songwriter) thrown in. Last week I sorted the projector at the Steel Club so it’s ready for my show but it also means they can now watch football and see the whole of the pitch. I moved the ceiling mounted projector nearer the screen. I’m chuffed with my work. Went swimmingly with only minor mishaps. Like when I descended the ladders with the projector and stepped off four steps from the bottom. I kinda flew through the air but landed ok with nothing broken. I was up the steps when an old boy walked in. “Are you Steve Thompson”. I told him I was. “I remember you…. Bullfrog! Turns out he has tickets for the show. He’s really looking forward to it. He says “it’s gonna be great, me, the missus and the bairn are coming”. (The “bairn” is 44)

The next day I reflected on the previous day’s activity re-locating the ceiling mounted projector. There is something really satisfying in the successful completion of a bit of physical graft like this. Even more so when it’s a piece of work with comrades. Sad that this country ceased so much production industry and embraced instead service industries. Come see the fruits of yesterdays labour at my “Steve Thompson, Songwriter” show – Steel Club Consett April 11th. Just a few tickets left – either from the club or online www.bit.ly/Steel

My formative years were spent at Consett Iron Company. I was assigned to the Blast Furnace as a  Fitter.

In the picture below are the three blast furnaces of Consett. In the forefront is the Goliath gantry crane. That was some piece of engineering. The gantry trundled left or right in the picture. The cabin moved forwards (towards the furnaces) or backwards (towards the photographer). In this way it could traverse the vast stockyard and pick up the raw materials and fill the hoppers in front of the furnaces. On the days I was assigned to the crane for maintenance we would take our bait and spend the entire day on it. We clambered all over it, sometimes on the gantry and sometimes riding the huge cabin. It took a good while to walk to the end of the gantry. One day the fitter I was assigned to had to climb down the chain to stand on the huge grabber to perform a repair there. I was glad it was not me. One day we were having a bit of craic in the cabin and one of the older guys said “you’re Dick Thompson’s grandson aren’t you”? I said I was and they all started telling stories about him. One guy described him as very musical and quite crazy. There you go folks, it skipped a generation but now you know where “crazy and musical” landed. They blamed this on a very bad motorcycle accident he and my grandmother had. After the accident he ceased singing popular hits and took to singing opera in the pubs and clubs. He also took to walking around Consett wearing a top hat, spats and a silver-topped cane. I’ll be in Consett myself this coming Thursday but minus the top hat and spats. I’ll be giving my final talk in a series of three. This one is “Steel Town”. It’s about my time in the Steel Works, how I escaped into the world of music and the musical Tom Kelly and I wrote about the adventure. It’s 7pm at The Steel Club. £2 if you want to come (there’s a spot of industrial language in this one)

On April 11th I bring my full band to town: Look out Consett!!!