STEVE GRESSWELL has been a professional
musician for over thirty years and is listed in the INTERNATIONAL WHO'S WHO OF
MUSIC (POPULAR). Steve writes, plays keyboards, records and produces his
own music - using different professional musicians for different musical
projects.
Steve's first
professional band was in 1970 when Steve was only 15 years old. The band
name was JUSTIN CANNS. The members of Justin Canns were, Steve
Gresswell, Dave Minty, Roger Fletcher, Pete Cox and Dave
Harding. Justin Canns became successful very
quickly - and they performed in the Rock Musical 'The Soldiers Are Coming'
at the Arts Theatre in the West End of London. This show was highly
acclaimed.
In 1975 Steve
worked on his own projects with drummer Mick Kirton (who
later went on to work with the Groundhogs and Hawkwind).
It was during this time that Steve was in Gyppo with Bob
Moody, Mick Kirton, Steve Towner and Alan Arkless.
It was also in 1977 that
Steve first began his training as Sound Engineer/Producer at Multium
Studios in Southill Park, Bracknell - under the expert guidance of Engineer/Producer
Doug Gleave.
In 1973 Steve has the
idea for his own Musical Production - a Rock Oratorio called Story of the
Gods. Steve began to write the music and work on the idea he had for
'Gods'. This project took up many of the following years (whilst he still
continued with his touring and writing other music).
Steve formed his next
band Scorpio (a Rock Band) in 1977. Scorpio was Steve
Gresswell (Founder member/Songwriter/Keyboards), Mick Whelan (Bass
Guitar/Songwriter), Kenny Serth (Drums), Kevin Ball
(Vocals/Songwriter in original line-up) Mike McDonald (Vocals/Songwriter),
Harry Brzezinski (Guitar/Songwriter), Nick Hollings (Guitar/Songwriter
in original line-up), and Pete Brill (Guitar). Scorpio toured
extensively throughout the South of England, as well as Denmark and Norway. Scorpio had a
large following, and sold out each venue they played. The music press
loved Scorpio, and reviews on the band were frequent and favourable.
Scorpio released a single on the Quicksilver label - 'Taking England By Storm'. They also
released the single Express Yourself under the pseudonym Oddjob
which charted in the UK Disco Charts, and which launched the Lighting Record
Label - part of Trojan Records. During all this time Steve was
still working on the concept of Story of the Gods. At the
end of 1977 the first part of 'Gods' was performed by Scorpio at the Hexagon, Reading - where Steve received a
standing ovation. This reaction inspired Steve to continue working on
'Gods' - adding orchestral parts. So that Steve could put more of his
energy into 'Gods' he disbanded Scorpio.
In 1981 Steve formed The
Steve Gresswell Band using top quality Reading musicians. The Steve
Gresswell Band was formed purely to perform Story of the Gods. In October
of 1981 'Gods' was performed at Reading University by The Steve Gresswell
Band, together with a full orchestra and with the backing of Radio 210.
The show was an enormous hit.
Since that performance,
Steve has added a choral arrangement - both this and the orchestral arrangement
are integral parts of the Music along with the Rock Band.
In 1982 Steve produced
and released a single by his band Dream called Just
For You. This single became a favourite with radio listeners and
became Radio Manchester's 'Record of the Week'.
In 1984 Steve formed Poiema
as a special project for the Play Cross Purposes which was written by
his close friend and renowned playwright Don McGovern. Poiema
performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for three weeks in the August, and
at Bridge Lane</span> Theatre in London in March 1985.
Steve recorded and produced a single of two of the songs from the play -
performed by his band. This is the time that Steve started working with
Richard Demarco OBE, and became his Technical Director for all his
productions.
During 1984 Steve also
worked on a
collaboration with the late Dave Byron of Uriah Heep.
In 1985 Steve briefly
joined Heavy Rock band After Dark during which time they released the
single Call of the Wild on the Laser Records label. After Dark
toured the UK extensively - with rave
reviews from Kerrang! After the tour they returned to the
recording studio to record their debut album Masked by Midnight.
After he left After Dark
Steve formed his own band Scorpio II, with Mick Whelan and Caro
Adler. In 1986 Steve formed a new band, Guardian Angel, with
Mick Whelan, Cameron Robson, Neil Fryer. Guardian
Angel's style was compared favourably to Genesis. In 1987 Steve changed
the line-up and the band played at the Official Party for the Edinburgh Tattoo
Festival - in the Scottish National Gallery - the first time any band had been
allowed to play in such a venue. This line up consisted of Steve
Gresswell on keyboards, Phil Mercy on guitars, John Procter on
bass, Chris Wigmore on vocals and Caro
Adler on vocals.
In 1988 Steve formed his
own Record Label Sumo to promote his own material. In 1989 Steve
released the Official Record under his SG Band for the Lockerbie Air
Disaster, in collaboration with Rick Kemp of Steeleye
Span. Steve re-recorded his previously successful track Just
For You.
Also in 1989 Steve
recorded and produced the single Wait A Minute by pop duo Vincent.
The track was voted Top Dance Single by Mecca Leisure as the most requested
record by the public.
In 1990 Steve
collaborated with top Czech Rock Guitarist Karel
Espandr.
Steve recorded and produced an album for Karel, as well as writing some
of the tracks on it and playing all the keyboard parts. This was a unique
album, especially as it was the first time a Czech musician had been allowed to
record in the UK.
During
1990 Steve produced and played keyboards on the album Border Crossings
by top Folk Singer John Wright.
Also in 1990 Steve co-ordinated the recording, production and
release of a single to raise funds for a child who had Cerebral Palsy. Steve wrote the
song Child of Love. The single was released and was very
successful - raising awareness and much needed finances. Steve
co-ordinated the making of a video which was screened extensively.
It was also during 1990
that Steve decided to record and produce a solo album called Spirit
of Freedom. The album was released by Steve's own label Sumo
initially.
In 1991 Steve recorded,
produced and played keyboards on the follow up album to Border Crossings, Of
An
Autumn Day by top Folk Singer John Wright.
In 1992/3 Steve formed
another Rock Band called Coalition for the purposes of recording an
album of tracks he had written.
Because of demand, Steve
re-mastered and re-released Spirit of Freedom on CD format in
1994. Also during this time he re-recorded the single You Make Me See
which was the track previously released by Poiema as a
tribute to Don McGovern who died of cancer.
In 1995 Steve recorded
and produced a follow up album to his successful Spirit of Freedom. This
was called Visions.
During 1996/7 Steve found
a new line-up for his band Coalition and put together a new album full
of his material. This was with rock singer Andy Lyness
and ace guitar-man Phil Mercy (both have solo albums available).
Coalition spent many months in the studio, and Steve eventually finished the
production of the album in late 1996. The album Rise of the Phoenix
was the result of this hard work - and to date has been well received with top
Canadian and American Radio Stations playing the tracks.
In 1997 Steve recorded a
single with American guitarist/singer Brent Morley whilst he was in the UK.
In 1997/8 Steve worked
with Reading lyricist Chris Rogers to put together the 'Country Rock'
single Good Morning Day - using top Reading musicians/singers.
Good Morning Day is currently being played by radio stations in the UK, as well as America.
During 1998/99 Steve was
commissioned by Professor Richard Demarco OBE to write a musical interpretation
of the Ballad of Reading Gaol (Oscar Wilde).
In August 2001 Steve took
a group of students to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – the
performance was called Spirit of Freedom and was a multimedia show,
using video, music and dance.
In August 2001 Steve was
offered an Exclusive Publishing and Licensing Deal with New York based DSM Producers,
an affiliate of Warner Chappell. Steve signed the contract on 15 October 2001.
In February 2002 Steve
was commissioned by international Ice Hockey Team, the Bracknell Bees, to write
a theme song for them. This has been recorded and produced by Steve
Gresswell, using his own studio and also the world famous SARM Recording
Studios.
In August 2002 Steve took
a second show to the Edinburgh Fringe – an Oscar Wilde Presentation – a musical
interpretation Steve has written of Oscar Wilde’s Ballad of Reading Gaol.
This show was performed at the Apex Hotel in Edinburgh, the first time such a
prestigious venue had been used for the Fringe Festival. Steve is also in
the process of recording the Ballad of Reading Gaol and West End star Jamie Read will
be taking the lead role. Jamie participated in the Fringe Festival
performance.
In October 2002 Steve
took a job on mastering and producing a CD for Scots Folk Group 3D. The
CD went on sale in December 2002.
Steve was nominated
for a British Composers Award in 2003.
