During London's Swinging Sixties, Steve Marriott, the original blue-eyed souls singer, went from child star to mod-icon. By the 1970's, he was broke and struggling, despite having one of the best voices in rock and roll.
I had the great opportunity to sing with Steve Marriot. We were both signed to Leber/Krebs Management. I sing background vocals on his On to Victory Album. He had such massive respect for me as a women in rock in roll. He was one of the greatest vocalists of our generation.
Really I'd like to meet you LOL just because you met Steve Marriott one of my favorite singers I saw him on that tour around 1981 I believe went to both nights at the Royal Oak Theater in Detroit great memories
Steve Marriot and hundreds of other artists. The labels and management made the money. If you didnt have a machine behind you churning out advertising and publicity, you got lost. So many great albums and bands, including myself that got screwed becaus of label personnel changes, and being ripped off. We toured, but never made the money we were supposed to. I made more money as a hired singer for touring and recording projects.
Steve Marriott has an iconic voice. He should have been so much more recognized in his career. Not only was he an outstanding vocalist, but also an outstanding guitar player. He was definitely one of the most talented artists in the music world. All my respect goes to Steve Marriott.
Steve Marriott is one of the most overlooked and underrated rockers ever. One of the greatest vocalists of all time. An extraordinarily talented musician. The idea that he was so broke that he had to steal food is absolutely heartbreaking. RIP, Steve.
Just an intro to what an extraordinary vocal RANGE he had. ( Try it yourself ) Add guitar chops, STAGE PRESENCE, and that's still incomplete. Take a look at his discography, and like Keith, Eric, Jeff B, and others - he knew and played US blues & R&B history... - What a tragic rip-off and loss...
Iam 66 and grew up listening to Steve in all his bands. One of the unique and best voices in music. Didn't matter who was backing him up as soon as he opened his mouth you knew who it was. Tragic story . If only he knew how many fans love him still.
It just makes me so angry to think of this great talent being ripped off by everyone and not making enough to live on. These parasite crooks should hang their heads in shame.
It's a "dog eat dog world", even amongs friends back then in the rock'n'roll world. Humans will always be humans. We should rename the frace to human eat human. we're a shameless species. At least we know who Marriot was. Imagine all the talents who never got their moment in the limelight but was ripped off in the same manner or worse. All those talented people whose names we should know.
This was so true. Agents, managers and record companies were (are?) bandits. In his autobiography, Tommy James writes about how Roulette Records was pretty much a Mob record company and he was ripped off all the time. But the Mob being what it was, he also was rewarded when a song he particularly liked was "given" to him to perform rather than some other singer, who was informed that James would be recording it, not him . . . or else. Surprisingly, James actually got a lot of his money in the end after years of lawsuits.
When i was a very young child Stevie Marriot used to come to our dingy basement flat in Clapham as he knew my dad and wanted him to teach him some more complicated (modern) jazz , as it was known then. My dad was a professional guitar player who usually worked the West End theatres (and twice for the Krays but that’s another story). I loved Stevie because he used to pick me up by the arms and swing me round and round and toss me up and down in the air until i was nearly sick with laughter. I was a tiny child and i used to sit on his knee and play with his love beads and beg him to sing Itchycoo Park. I used to sing along with him and when it got to the ‘we’ll get high’ part he’d lift me high above his head and i’d yell along with him. I literally used to have to be prised off him when he and my dad wanted to play ( and drink they were both big boozers). We moved house not long after that and i never saw him again. But i adored him. He must have liked kids because he always made time for me. Once he turned up with a girlfriend who bought me my first pair of ‘hot pants’. They were bright orange and covered in flowers and i wore them until they fell apart. A lot of famous people came to our house in those days (my brother knew them more than me because he’s nine years older) i remember Pete Townsend and i hated him on sight for some reason (my uncle who was a bass player lived upstairs and him and Pete’s dad were friends for years). Pete was a sulky bastard who stretched his long legs across our carpet and wouldn’t move when i tried to walk past. But Stevie was my favourite and i adored him. We didnt find out about his death until two days after his funeral and i remember my dad was absolutely gutted. I was sad too and i will never forget a cockney pop star who came to our flat and made so much time and happiness for a tiny girl, whose family was way short of happiness. R.I.P. Stevie. Love you forever.
That's a sweet memory! I've just discovered him in the last year or so. I'm 52. It's nice to hear your story. His treatment of you tells me a lot about who he was. Thanks for sharing your personal story!
Great memory-thanks for sharing. I was/am a big fan of Humble Pie and Steve Marriot, and saw them live 3 times in Memphis, TN in the 1970s. They always put on a great show, and Steve always had both that magnificent voice, and an amazing stage presence as well.
i worked with steve in adelaide in the eighties, went back to his motel for a drink, wonderful guy, no ego told me some great stories, never forget him.
Paul Cowie...i was sound engineer on their 78 reunion tour, uk and europe, like you he told me some amazing stories, even gave me a blues harp which i still play and treasure. That old Telecaster was mine, he really wanted it and swapped me his pink LesPaul special for it in 1966. R.i.p Steve.
Was that a Humble Pie Tour? I saw him with the Humble Pie line up, must have been early 80's at the Sandringham Commodore in Melbourne, He had a feather touch on the guitar....like playing was no effort at all. I'll never forget it.
I had the great fortune to meet Steve at a party in London around '77. He'd pretty well gone off the boil by then but he was still able to hold the room and spoke fondly of his earlier musical times. He loved that my sister and I were great fans and gave us loads of his time and sang 'Shah La Lee' to us with his very bluesy voice. We really had a great laugh with him but then he was off to some other place and we never saw him again sadly. An unbelievable talent and a party that I'll ever forget.
@@Sandragoldenlee Sometimes, Mafia corruption falls upon the fortunate, moving forward to failure, frowned upon, and caused by the misfortune of stumbling upon the wrong untrustworthy people.
He looked like an angel . What a talent. Absolutely a hall of fame Singer. Steve Marriott, Robert Plant,Freddy Mercury, Bon Scott, and many others from that period. Rod Stewart emulated Steve. Stone cold 5 foot 4 inch world class Rocker. RIP Steve.
A sad and lonely end for a hugely underrated talent. Both The Small Faces and Humble Pie were great bands and each of them were a massive influence on artists such as Paul Weller. R.I.P Steve Marriott.
How sadly true. A tragic and sorrowful loss.... But who knew what personal demons he was struggling with then. Whatever they were, they killed him in the end.. And so many of us miss you still, Steve Marriott.
It just breaks my heart. I used to pull out my brother's Humble Pie albums. And listen to his powerful voice. One of the best and strongest voices in Rock and Roll history.
Couldn't agree more. Total b***** the people who cheated him out of his earnings. How short-sighted too. Humble Pie were brilliant. And having seen both them and the Stones live, he was far superior to the strutting Jagger. What a loss of a real talent.
The tragedy of his short life brings tears to anyone who was a fan of Steve Marriott I don't understand how friends, family and even the R&R community couldn't help Steve. I know everyone is responsible for their actions, but sometimes life's challenges can defeat the strongest of us. So many in the music community has the funds and means to help fellow musicians. If only someone helped him. Heartbreaking story.
I remember sometime during the late-2000's, Rolling Stone came out with the list of the 100 greatest rock singers of all time; Marriott was nowhere to be found. I threw the magazine down in disgust. Haven't picked an issue up since.
DJ Trendsetta . Good for you . I wish more people would do that sort of thing. It just shows you that , that magazine has a serious lack of credibility or at least the person in charge of the article either doesn’t know the hell what they are talking about or they are just totally ignorant. The vast majority of musicians who know of Steve Marriott would easily put him in the Top 5 of All Time . If you listen to them , many of them will put him right at the very top even . Not in the top 100 , What a bunch of Clowns eh !
I used to like Rolling Stone back in the 80s. Then they became crap. Seriously, Marriot was truly great with a unique soulful voice that I try to imitate but lack the full force of his vocal skill. He could probably sing just about any tune great.
I hate to say it folks but the hall has become a Hall of Shame with some of the crap that is actually in there. And those who deserve to be are not. Just a big f'n joke! Sad.
jetdance ........I’ve never before noticed your heartfelt comment. A lovely thing to say and absolutely spot on, Steve was an outstanding talent. I won’t be holding my breath waiting for another “Steve Marriott”.
jetdance Agreed. But a lifetime of EXTREMELY HARD GRINDING WORK AND EFFORT; yet nothing to show for it, or leave to your kids and loved ones... FUCK THAT!!! I THINK NOT!!! Rest in earned peace Steve.
@Natural Man Take a little tab and we'll go to ichycoo park & we will see colour that don't exist and places and things too.The best song ever psychedelic song ever...RIP wee man you were original
@@samuelparker9882 He leaves a giant part of himself!! They can hear his music down through the generations that live on! He leaves something much more precious than Gold!! Arden is the one that has nothing but disgust and hate to show down through his generations! I'd want Arden's name scrubbed from my family tree!!!
Small Faces and Humble Pie were two of the most influential groups of my life. Marriott's voice and on-stage persona were so striking, so unique - I play them for younger music fans today and they are just as amazed as I was.
Very sad life . He had such beautiful voice. I’m sure your singing and rocking with all the other beautiful souls we have lost over the years. RIP Steve🎤🎸🙏🏼
I always liked Steve Marriot and I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times. The Small Faces were friends of the Who and so was I and one night when they came to a Who gig at the Marquee in London, Steve bought me a drink because I was skint. On another occasion, I was at the TV studios in Wembley for ‘Ready Steady Go’ and Pete Townsend said they were playing a gig in Windsor after the show and if I wanted to go he said there was room in the band’s van, as the roadie had already set the kit up that afternoon and the van was empty. So I accepted and when I got in the back, the Small Faces were already sitting on the floor ready to go as they did not have a gig that night. When we got to the club, punters were already lining up and paying to get in and I just followed the Who and the Small Faces up to the door. A bouncer stopped the Small Faces and asked the Who, who they were and Roger Daltry said they’re our friends the Small Faces. I was the last in the line and the bouncer stopped me and said, who are you and Steve Marriot turned around and said, he’s our roadie, and so I got in. Thank you Steve, I will never forget you.
that sounds just like the Steve I believe in, seen them in Edinburgh (my home town) in 1967/68, were absolutely phenomenal live, had already heard a couple of their records , but this was incredible, been a fan ever since, and still am, such a sad ending to a great musical talent!
I don't know why I watch these videos. I honestly had high hopes he led a successful and happy life. Instead I hear what really happened and end up feeling gutted. I discovered him way too late in life, but man what a sound. RIP Steve
The overriding memory I have of Steve Marriott is that whichever song he was performing , whether with The Small Faces or Humble Pie , he always put his heart and soul into it . Brilliant singer , brilliant performer .
Steve and Ronnie (along with Badfinger) took all the shit the music Business could throw at them, and caught most of them full on. Tragic.A young Paul Weller was checking his moves.
Yes, tragic indeed how those guys were treated. True also about Paul Weller being influenced by Steve. I was also checking out Steve's amazing vocals on the Muddy Waters song 'You Need Lovin' ' (1966) and how Robert Plant had mimicked Steve's style on Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' several years later !
It is annoying how the music fans at the time ( and even for subsequent decades) were so awestruck by Plant's vocals because Zeppelin were such a lauded band . Whereas these same fans were unaware that Steve Marriott was the guy whose vocal style and delivery Plant had stolen from.
I saw him with the new Humble Pie a few times in the early '80s and he was incredible, you knew you were listening to the real deal, he was as pure rock and roll as there ever was.
One of my all time crushes. One of my favorite voices that still brings me comfort after all these years. Such an amazing talented man who left us too soon.
It never ceases to amazes me how many of the future stars were ripped off by unscrupulous, thuggish managers who thrived on pushing them to tour and taking all their money. I hope Karma comes up to bite them in the ass one day
Shari Peters Its a pity that he didn't live longer.The drummer from the small faces joined the who after Keith Moon died.This was the first time any of the small faces had money and he used it to successfully sue their manager.Too many of the managers in the early days were just thugs and thieves.The manager of the small faces [father of Sharon Osborne Ozzy's wife] was notorious for hanging people by their feet from the window of his office.
Sheri Peters Yes, those young musicians were particularly susceptible to the schisters who seized on their inexperience. Marriott suffered along with so many. The worst case I have heard is of the very under-rated band Badfinger, who had such talent, produced some great songs and yet were screwed by management to the point of the suicide of two band members.
That is exactly why Steve Miller openly loathes the music industry parasites. He was fortunate in the fact that woke up really quick after his Joker album hit #2 in the U.S. and he saw not one thin dime out of it. So he took a hiatus from the music industry, went to college for a Business degree and made himself his own manager.
A very tragic story, while I was in the Army stationed at Fort Dix I had the extreme pleasure of seeing him live at the Fillmore East. Yep, rocking the Fillmore with Peter Frampton. Wow-we, the absolute best damn concert I ever witnessed. Many concerts later, none as good as this one. This album is definitely one of the best live performances I ever saw. Fantastic album! RIP, Steve?
One of THE best voices ever. I love the Small Faces and his version of "I don't need no doctor" with Humble Pie is fucking amazing. Gutted I never got to see him play.
This makes me cry .The Small Faces were my school girl crush in the 60s and I would see them regularly at the Locarno in Bristol back then..wonderful memories ❤
Steve was a genuine legend. I missed seeing Humble Pie, and always regretted it. I finally saw Steve with pack of three in the Duchess of York pub in Leeds a few weeks before he died. I remember going to the village shop to buy an onion on a Sunday morning. The papers all had the story of his dying in a house fire. I couldn't believe it. I cried in the shop. I was stunned. What a sad end to a huge talent. RIP.
Yep I meant to see Steve and pack of three in Wolverhampton but missed the gig..only in a pub..few weeks later we heard the news and like you couldnt believe it..I remember everyone lifting a glass in the pub that night to him as we put Tin Soldier on the juke box..."to Steve!!!" about 60 of us shouted..and then the whole room listened to Tin soldier...terrible loss to music.
I agree, I loved it when it came out, and recently seeing the video of that with The Black Berries and the way he would smile and wink at them illustrated how much he enjoyed making music ,and made it seem effortless.... RIP Steve.
Sad story, for such a talented guy, I think there's a place in HELL for rock and roll managers, who steal, kill,and destroy some of the finest talents who ever lived,and the list is very long
How horribly wrong that Steve Marriott and Humble Pie were cheated out of their royalties by John Gotti and his mob, and how sad that Steve was destitute. He was and still is one of the most influential voices in Rock history, and he excelled at the Blues as well. What a loss to lose him at only 44. No one since has had a voice like Steve. Rest in peace, little big man.
My absolute favorite song, autumn stone. I remember being 12 and buying the record for 50 cents at the swap meet. I fell in love with their sound with their poetic lyrics. From there I became an instant small faces fan, the faces and rod stewart
A troubled genius, you wont be forgotten steve you left so much great stuff for us all to listen to. We need these characters around, the bloody music business is so bland these days with out them.
Well JETT are back touring, so there IS hope! 1st show sold out, in June, 2nd show added, will sell out quickly too! They are far more loved here than I think they realised!
You're so right. Manufactured, contrived, throwaway noise from throwaway kids, who make their millions overnight and then are instantly forgotten. Speaks volumes when a bunch of 70 year old men can pull a million and half people onto a beach to watch them play songs they've been playing for over 50 years. Thank the Lord for the likes of The Stones, Ray Davies, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton and all their contemporaries who've survived to today. Whatever will we do when they've gone.....?
I'm still cranking up Itchycoo Park and Tin Soldier, great tunes when I first heard them in the 60's and now his music is even better. And Humble Pie Live, who didn't have that back in the day. Thanks Steve, we didn't realize how good we had it.
As a teenage I saw Ted Nugent, Gamma (with Ronnie Montrose), and Humble Pie play The Cow Palace auditorium. I didn't know who Humble Pie was, except as some old band. Ted went through the motions that night, Montrose was brilliant as always, but it was the opening band that made the biggest impression on me. I went from mild interest to Holy sh#t these these guys are awesome! I can still feel the energy they put out that night. Humble Pie was a true Rock and Roll band, and I have so much respect for Steve Marriott's talent. One of the Greats.
+Nico I saw Humble Pie and Nugent but no Gamma on the bill. Saw Gamma the year before at an outdoor gig. Sammy was on the bill as well and I was really hoping to see Ronnie join him for some 'Bad Motor Scooter' jamming, but that didn't happen.
He has been an inspiration to me, and now my son, for a long time. What a voice. Not talked about much these days, which is very sad. Just a fantastic character, as well as a huge talent. So sad that he has gone, and with no fanfare. We miss you mate
I was lucky enough to see him with Humble Pie at the Fillmore East and again with his own group at Nassau Coliseum . Great Talent . Sad ending . Tremendous potential . TOTAL Front Man ! RIP Steve .
I'm 68 now and got into music in1968 and heard the "Cops on motorcycles" record in 70,71? Wow!!!! Steve Marriot was a whole supergroup by himself! Then you got everybody else in that band, Incredible talent!!
x yz .......wow, that’s harsh and totally uncalled-for, we *all* know what caused the fire. Jesus, it’s not as though Steve did this intentionally, a tragic accident that could have happened to anyone. Plenty of Rockers (especially back in those earlier years) engaged in ridiculously dangerous antics (often endangering others) and *never* suffered any consequences whatsoever. Given your logic, I suppose all the wonderful musicians killed in road-accidents deserved to die too because they chose to drive? I’ll *never* understand the “negativity” directed towards musicians who dedicated their lives’ to entertaining us.
@@lindadote well said Linda. Thank you. I am absolutely haunted by the thoughts of what his final moments must have been like. He deserved better. RIP Steve.
Lemon sucking trolls with nothing nice to say. Don't even put a name to their profile cos they know they're only intend to troll and spit poison. Ignored.🤨
that filmore album is one of the best live albums ever recorded, up there with rock and roll animal by lou reed and live at leeds by the Who. Best rock voice I ever heard
I was fortunate enough to see Humble Pie in concert. Steve Marriott was one of the greatest vocalist / guitar players to ever walk the planet. He deserved more fame than what he received. He was taken way too soon. Rest in Peace Steve. Rock On!!!!!!!
Russ Dean .......the comment alluded to Steve and co. being ripped off for all their hard-earned money, an utter disgrace. While they certainly dabbled in various drugs (particularly early days) Steve’s cocaine problems surfaced much later, up until his death. I blame the “Industry” too, there are countless cases of crooked management and Steve *was* a beautiful (immensely talented) soul who deserved better.
I was into Humble Pie in 1973-74, Smokin' was my album of choice. I got into guitar at 15 years old and played in Top 40 bands through the 70s. No money, but lots of fun. When I hit 30 in 1983, I was over it and moved on to another career and to start a family. Anybody that's young should know what the R-n-R music lifestyle can do to you. Be careful. If you have success early, good for you. Watch your money, read your contracts, get a lawyer you can trust because, like Marriott, they'll steal you blind and leave you on the side of the road.
He was ahead of his time drinking and drugs always gets u in the end and still today 2024 he could sing anything what a voice and a incredible guitarist.
The Legend that will always be... Stevie Marriott. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and so many have tried to sing like him but never quite succeeded. Saint Stevie, the patron saint of awesome singers and guitarists
A very good & lwell-done documentary. In my opinion he was one of the greatest vocalists transcending to great heights, & in the case of Humble Pie, drawing from gospel tradition. This Doc brought a tear to my eye because Humble Pie meant alot to me at 12 years old, edgy grown up stuff with heavy accent on power chords, early metal, a rarity at the time
Great recollection of Marriott's career but you left out a crucial detail about his Demise. The night he died he had been on a long flight back from the United States and had been drinking and and was jet lagged from the cross Atlantic flight. This fact contributed greatly to the accident he had in his home. A true legend. Marriott. We won't see another like him. RIP mate!
What an amazing talent who left us far too soon. This really brings to light the dark world of rock group managers who took advantage of these young boys. It’s truly a shame because their talents were lost to what could have been.