Steve Stevens

Steve Stevens (born as Steve Schneider on May 5, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York) is best known for his often excellent lead-guitar playing for other artists (most notably Billy Idol) and somewhat lesser known for his solo effort Atomic Playboys, which featured an MTV hit single video of the same name.

Related Topics:
May 5 - 1959 - Brooklyn - New York - Guitar - Billy Idol - MTV

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Stevens's hit-making collaboration with Billy Idol started when Idol moved to the USA, shortly after the latter's band Generation X disbanded. Stevens co-wrote and played on the albums Don't Stop EP, Billy Idol (1982), Rebel Yell (1984), Whiplash Smile (1986), and the remix collection Vital Idol (1985). Musical differences during the Whiplash Smile sessions led to the pair's parting of ways.

Related Topics:
Generation X - ''Billy Idol''

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Stevens recorded his second solo album, Flamenco A Go Go, in his home studio entirely by himself. This effort stemmed from the inspiration he received after attending a concert by Flamenco virtuoso Paco de Lucía.

Related Topics:
Flamenco - Paco de Lucía

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Stevens (along with Harold Faltermeyer) won a Grammy in 1987 for his performance on the Top Gun soundtrack and has worked with a host of other artists such as Vince Neil, Michael Jackson, Michael Monroe, Thompson Twins, Joni Mitchell, Peter Criss, Steve Lukather, Ric Ocasek, Ben Watkins of Juno Reactor, Greg Bissonette, Pink, Robert Palmer, Jizzy Pearl, Terry Bozzio and Tony Levin (releasing two albums under the name Bozzio, Levin, Stevens), Japanese rock singer Kyosuke Himuro.

Related Topics:
Harold Faltermeyer - Grammy - Top Gun - Soundtrack - Vince Neil - Michael Jackson - Michael Monroe - Thompson Twins - Joni Mitchell - Peter Criss - Steve Lukather - Ric Ocasek - Ben Watkins - Juno Reactor - Greg Bissonette - Pink - Robert Palmer - Jizzy Pearl - Terry Bozzio - Tony Levin - Bozzio, Levin, Stevens - Japanese rock - Singer - Kyosuke Himuro

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After an extended hiatus, Stevens and Idol reunited in 1999 for a series of tours across the USA and Australia. This era included a recording captured for the VH1 show Storytellers, which was subsequently released on CD and DVD. Stevens also appeared in the Billy Idol episode of VH1's Behind The Music.

Related Topics:
VH1 - Storytellers - Behind The Music

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Such was the success of this renewed collaboration, in 2005, along with producer Keith Forsey, the duo released Billy Idol's Devil's Playground album. This was the first album to feature the hit-making trio since 1986's Whiplash Smile.

Related Topics:
Keith Forsey - Billy Idol - Devil's Playground - Whiplash Smile

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