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EspañolSTEVE MARRIOTT
'Stephen Peter Marriott' (January 30 1947 - April 21 1991) popularly known as
'Steve Marriott', was a successful and versatile singer-songwriter and lead guitarist.
He is best remembered for his uniquely powerful voice and aggressive lead guitar[1] in groups Small Faces (1965-1969) and Humble Pie (1969-1975).
In England, Marriott became a popular often photographed mod style icon through his role as lead singer and guitarist with the Small Faces in the mid to late sixties.[2]
Marriott's music was influenced from an early age by his heroes including Buddy Holly, Booker T & the MG's, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, Bobby Bland and later the Rolling Stones. Marriott posthumously received an Ivor Novello Award in 1996 for his Outstanding Contribution to British Music[3] and listed in ''Mojo magazine'' (sister magazine to ''Q)'' as one of the top 100 greatest singers of all time.[4]
In later life Marriott, disillusioned with the music industry, turned his back on the big record companies and remained in relative obscurity. He returned to his music roots playing in the pubs and clubs around London and Essex.[5]
Marriott was married three times. He had one son, Toby in 1976 by Pam Stephens his second wife[6] and two daughters, Tonya in 1984 by ex-partner (Canadian) Terri Elias[6] and Mollie Mae in 1985 by his former longtime, childhood friend Manon Piercey.[6]
Marriott died on April 21, 1991 when a fire thought to have been caused by a cigarette swept through his 16th century home in Arkesden, Essex. He was forty-four years old.[6]
Biography
Early Years
Steve Marriott was born on January 30, 1947 at East Ham Hospital, Manor Park, East London, England[10] to parents Kay and Bill Marriott who lived at Strone Road, Manor Park. Born three weeks premature and weighing just 4lb 4oz, he developed jaundice and was kept in hospital four weeks before being well enough to go home.[10] Marriott came from a working class background and attended Monega Junior School. His father Bill worked as a printer and later owned a jellied eels stall called 'Bill's Eels' outside the Ruskin Arms, for a short time he also opened a pie and mash shop.[10] Kay worked at the Tate & Lyle factory in Silvertown. Bill was an accomplished pub pianist and the life and soul of many an 'East End' night. Marriott's father bought him a ukulele and harmonica which Steve taught himself to play. Marriott showed an early interest in singing and performing, busking at local bus-stops for extra pocket money and winning talent contests during the family's annual holiday to Jaywick Holiday camp near Clacton-on-Sea.[6]
In 1959 at the age of twelve, Marriott formed his first band with school friends Nigel Chapin and Robin Andrews. They were called 'The Wheels', later the 'Coronation Kids', and finally 'Mississippi Five'. They would also add Simon Simkins and Vic Dixon to the final line-up. From a young age, Marriott was a huge fan of American singer Buddy Holly and would mimic his hero by wearing large-rimmed spectacles with the lenses removed. He wrote his first song, called "Shelia My Dear," after his aunt Shelia to whom he was close. Those who heard the song said it was played at a jaunty pace in the style of Buddy Holly. Marriott's bandmates nicknamed him 'Buddy'. They would play the local coffee bars in East Ham and performed Saturday morning gigs at the Essoldo Cinema in Manor Park.[10]
Marriott was a cheeky, hyperactive child according to his mother Kay and well-known by his neighbours in Strone Road for playing pranks and practical jokes. When a pupil at local Sandringham Secondary Modern School, Marriott was responsible for starting a deliberate fire.[10]
The Artful Dodger 1960-1961
In 1960, Bill Marriott spotted an advertisement in a London newspaper for a new Artful Dodger replacement to appear in Lionel Bart's popular musical Oliver! based on the novel ''Oliver Twist'' by Charles Dickens at the ''New Theatre'' (now called the Noel Coward Theatre) in London's West End, and without telling Marriott, applied for him to audition. At the age of thirteen, Marriott auditioned for the role. He sang two songs, his first "Who's Sorry Now" by Connie Francis, his second "Oh, Boy!" by Buddy Holly. Bart was impressed with Marriott's vocal abilities and hired him. He stayed with the show for a total of twelve months, playing various boys' roles during his time there, for which he was paid eight pounds a week.[16]
Marriott was also chosen to provide lead vocals for the Artful Dodger songs "Consider Yourself", "Be Back Soon," and "I'd Do Anything," which appear on the official album to the stage show, released by ''World Record Club'' and recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios.[10]
In 1961 the Marriott family moved from Strone Road to a brand new council flat in Daines Close, Manor Park.
Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Following Marriott's successful acting debut in the stage musical Oliver! his family encouraged him to pursue an acting career. In 1961 he auditioned and was accepted as a student at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.[18] Because Marriott's family were unable to afford the private school fees it was mutually agreed they would be deducted from acting work the school found him. To help pay for additional expenses such as books and travel costs, his mother Kay left the Tate & Lyle factory and found a higher paid position as senior receptionist at a photographic studio in Holborn.[10]
Juvenile acting career
After Marriott's enrolment at the Italia Conti Academy, he quickly gained acting roles working consistently in film, television and radio, he was often typecast as the energetic cockney kid.
Cinema roles
★ ''Night Cargoes'' - (1962) A children's adventure film, it was shot between April and June 1962 in Devon and was designed for a very young audience. The film was split into eight, fifteen-minute episodes and shown during Saturday morning picture shows.
Actor Hugh Janes (ex-student and friend of Marriott's at the Italia Conti), related his experiences on the set with Marriott:
"We filmed between April and June 1962, it was great 'cos there were several horses on the set and Steve and I would go riding in-between shooting. It was pure guesswork for me and Steve, one day we were tanking across the downs, I was on a Hunter and Steve was on this pony going like the clappers. He had this riding style that I can only describe as a "sack of potatoes" all his legs and arms going in different directions, the girth snapped, the saddle slowly slid round on the horses sweat and Steve was still riding until he fell off, laid down and burst out laughing" -HUGH JANES (friend of Marriott).[20]
★ ''Live It Up!'' - (1963) Starring David Hemmings and Jennifer Moss.[21] Marriott was typecast as the cheeky, cockney drummer called 'Ricky'. [22]
★ ''Be My Guest'' - (1964) released in 1965 (the follow-up to ''Live It Up!)'' again Marriott plays the young character 'Ricky'.[21] [24]
★ ''Heavens Above!'' - (released April, 1963) Starring Peter Sellers as a prison chaplain and co-starring Eric Sykes. Marriott plays a street kid who shoots his mother.[21] There were reports on set of Sellers and Marriott duetting on banjos between takes.[6]
★ ''Dateline Diamonds'' - (1965) Marriott along with the other members of the Small Faces appear as themselves in the film performing their self-penned second single "I've Got Mine".[27]
Television roles
★ ''Citizen James'' - (1961) A popular half-hour comedy starring Carry On Films actor Sid James.
★ ''Dixon of Dock Green'' - (transmitted in 1963) - Marriott appears in an episode entitled ''The River People'' playing a character called 'Clive Dawson' the episode was written by Ted Willis.
★ ''William the Peacemaker'' - was Marriott's last TV acting role (March 1963). Marriott plays the character of 'Bertie Franks'.
★ ''Mr Pastry's Progress'' - (1962) b/w BBC television children's sitcom. Starring Richard Hearne and Barbara Hicks.
Radio performances
★ Radio Luxembourg - Reading out listeners problem letters for well-known agony aunt Marjorie Proops.
★ ''Mrs Dale's Diary''[28] - a popular radio show playing a popstar called 'Art Joyful'.[10]
Marriott lost interest in acting and turned his attention back to his first love which was music.
Marriott's parents were devastated and his decision to give up acting caused a family rift resulting in him leaving the family home for a short period to stay with friends.[10]
Early music career
In 1963 Marriott wrote "Imaginary Love" and touted it around the big record labels in London. On the strength of "Imaginary Love", Marriott secured a Decca Records deal as a solo artist with Dick Reagan (also an agent for Cliff Richard). The first single was a song written by Kenny Lynch "Give Her My Regards" with Marriott's self-penned song as the B-side. The single was released in July 1963 and promptly vanished.[16]
:''main article: The Moments''
Marriott formed The Moments originally called The Frantiks. The Frantiks recorded a cover version of Cliff Richard's song "Move It" with Ex-Shadows drummer Tony Meehan who was brought in to help with production. Despite the single being hawked around the major record companies, no one was interested and the song was consequently never released. It was after this that they changed the band's name to The Moments or 'Marriott and his Moments'. They played support for names such as The Nashville Teens, The Animals, Georgie Fame, and John Mayall playing venues such as the 100 Club in Soho, London and the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond. The Moments gained a loyal following including for a short time their own fanzine ''Beat '64'' dedicated to 'Steve Marriott's Moments' started by Stuart Tuck[10] and are noted as performing a total of 80 gigs in 1964. The group was asked to record a single for the American market, a cover version of The Kinks UK hit song "You Really Got Me" released on the World Artists record label (1964).[16] However when their version of "You Really Got Me" failed to get attention Marriott was dropped from the band with members claiming he was too young to be a lead singer.[10]
Small Faces 1965-1969
Main articles: Small Faces
It was on July 28, 1964 that Marriott first viewed future Small Faces partners Ronnie Lane and sixteen year old drummer Kenney Jones. They were all performing at The Albion in Rainham, Essex, with their bands.[10]
Lane and Marriott met again by chance in the 'J60' a music shop in High Street North, Manor Park, where Marriott was working after his recent departure from The Moments. Lane came in looking to purchase a new guitar, and afterwards was invited to Marriott's home to listen to his extensive collection of rare American R&B import records. With their shared love of R&B the trio were soon firm friends. Marriott was invited by Lane and Jones to perform with "The Outlaws" (previously called "The Pioneers") at the band's regular gig The Earl of Derby in Bermondsey.[16] However the trio each ended up completely drunk and Marriott enthusiastically destroyed the piano he was playing much to the amusement of Lane and Jones. The landlord sacked them and the band was finished.[10] Marriott, Lane and Jones, decided to form their own band, with Steve bringing along acquaintance, Jimmy Winston, (Winston was later replaced by Ian McLagan). Marriott's friend Annabel, an ex-student from the Italia Conti came up with the band's distinctive name after commenting that they all had "small faces"; the name stuck in part because they were all, (apart from Winston), small (none being over 5'6" tall), and the term 'face' in English mod culture was the name given to a well-known and respected mod.[38]
Small Faces were signed to Don Arden within six weeks of forming and quickly became a successful mod band highly regarded by the youth cult's followers when their debut single "Whatcha Gonna Do About It"[39] hit the UK singles chart . Later, they were said to be one of many influences on the formation and musical style of British hard rock group Led Zeppelin. Marriott is reputed to have been Jimmy Page's benchmark when selecting a lead singer and there are unmistakable stylistic and timbral similarities between the voices of Marriott and Led Zeppelin's lead singer. In fact, Robert Plant was a fan of Small Faces and a regular at their early gigs where he also ran small errands for them. Zeppelin's classic song "Whole Lotta Love" is said by some to be a direct take of Marriott's version of the classic song "You Need Lovin", originally written by Willie Dixon and recorded by American blues singer Muddy Waters.[40] Small Faces would reguarly perform "You Need Loving" in their live set and the song also appears on their debut Decca album ''Small Faces'' released May, 1966.
"It was fantastic, I loved it, Muddy Waters recorded it but I couldn't sing like Muddy Waters so it wasn't that much of a nick. I was a high range and Muddy was a low range so I had to figure out how to sing it. So I did and that was our opening number for all the years we were together. Every time we were on stage that was our opening number, unless we had a short set. That's where Jimmy Page and Robert Plant heard it. Robert Plant used to follow us around. He was like a fan". - 'MARRIOTT'[10]
However Marriott bore no animosity to Plant, he is quoted as shouting "Go on my son!" and wishing him luck when he first heard Plant's version on the radio.[10]
Arden paid the band a wage of twenty pounds a week each[43], along with accounts in clothes shops in Carnaby Street. On Boxing Day[44] 1965 Arden arranged for them to move into a rented house, 22 Westmoreland Terrace, Pimlico.[10] In his autobiography McLagan described the house as ''party central'', a place where the likes of Marianne Faithfull, Brian Epstein, Pete Townshend and other celebrities would hang out.
Marriott wrote or co-wrote most of Small Faces hit singles. In an interview in 1984 Marriott was asked what his best Small Faces songs were: "I think "All or Nothing", that I wrote, takes a lot of beating. To me, if there's a song that typifies that era, then that might be it. Words regardless, cos it's only a silly love song, but the actual feel and arrangement of the thing and maybe "Tin Soldier".."[16]
In 1967 Marriott wrote the evocative rock-ballad "Tin Soldier" to woo model Jenny Rylance.[47] They first met in 1966 and Marriott was immediately smitten, however Rylance was dating up-and-coming singer Rod Stewart and so the two became friends. She later broke-up with Stewart and had a brief romantic liason with Marriott, however much to his disappointment she ended it, deciding instead to go back to Stewart. Rylance and Stewart later split for good after a rocky four-year relationship; when Marriott found out he pursued her relentlessly, leading him to write "Tin Soldier". The song was a hit for the band in 1967 and for Marriott a personal triumph, he and Rylance were married at Kensington Registry Office, London on May 29, 1968.[10]
Steve Marriott seen here at Beehive Cottage with wife Jenny in 1968.
Later they moved into Beehive Cottage in Moreton, Essex. The property was jointly purchased with Lane and wife Susan and was where Marriott establishd his music studio, 'Clear Sounds'.[10]
In 1968, having signed to the Andrew Loog Oldham Immediate label in 1967, the band spent more time in the recording studio and far less time playing live, as a direct result Small Faces lost their dynamic live sound. Marriott was keen for the group to evolve and wanted to bring in ex-Herd frontman Peter Frampton however McLagan, Jones and Lane refused.[10] Marriott started to feel the band had reached the end creatively and began to spend more time with Frampton and Greg Ridley. After months of rumours about the band splitting up in the press, (which was always officially denied). Marriott quit the group, storming off stage during a disastrous live performance on New Years Eve 1968.[16] In a 1984 interview with NME reporter, Paolo Hewitt on the subject of leaving the band Steve said:
"You grow apart for Christsakes. You're talking about people living together from the ages of seventeen to twenty-two and that's a growing up part of your life and we got to hate each other, no doubt about it. We didn't speak to each other for fucking years. Maybe ten years." - MARRIOTT[16]
Frampton claims that after Marriott's departure from the Small Faces, the remaining members Lane, McLagan and Jones turned up at his home and offered him Marriott's role in the band. (Ian McLagan vehmenently denies this story).
"The following day after the Alexandra Palace gig (where Steve walked off), I was back home and I got a call from Ronnie Lane who said Me, Kenney and Mac would like to come round and see you. I thought, Hello, what's all this about? Anyway, they all came round to my horrible little flat in Earls Court and asked me to join the Small Faces. All I could say was it's a bit late now. Why couldn't you have asked me while we were in Paris? We'd all be in the same band together and Steve wouldn't have left." -PETE FRAMPTON.[10]
Humble Pie 1969-1975
:''main article: Humble Pie''
Shortly after leaving Small Faces, Marriott joined the newly-formed rock band Humble Pie with Frampton, drummer Jerry Shirley and bassist Greg Ridley.[54] In the early years, Humble Pie allowed Marriott the artistic freedom he craved but was denied in Small Faces due, in part to commercial pressures and individual differences. After extensive secret rehearsals at Marriott's Clear Sounds recording studio the band released on Immediate their debut album ''As Safe As Yesterday Is'' closely followed by debut single "Natural Born Bugie" (often mis-spelt "Boogie") which peaked at #5 in the UK Singles Chart.[54]
Humble Pie almost disbanded after their first American tour when they returned to England and discovered that Immediate had gone into liquidation. Humble Pie transferred to American A&M Records and focused all their attention on the lucrative U.S. market. Their new manager, Dee Anthony, had the band scrap its 'unplugged' set and crank the volume up.
Humble Pie toured constantly over the next three years completing nineteen tours in the U.S. alone and the band's next album releases ''Humble Pie'' and ''Rock On'', benefited from this. Their live album ''Performance Rockin' the Fillmore'' in 1971 became the band's most successful release to date. It was during these recordings that Marriott's strong vocal performances became the focal point of the band. Dee Anthony pushed Marriott to take more of the on-stage spotlight, something Marriott had, up to then, been sharing with Frampton and Ridley, this resulted in Frampton's decision to leave the band, (replaced by Clem Clempson).
Some close to Marriott would say that his personality would change for the worst when he toured America. Eventually, possibly due to excessive drug use Marriott started showing signs of mild schizophrenia. Marriott had regularly taken amphetamines (speed) and smoked cannabis in his days in The Moments and Small Faces, and the latter half of the 1960s also experimented with LSD. But towards the end of his Small Faces career and in Humble Pie, Marriott developed a cocaine and alcohol addiction and this would be seen by many as the reason for his marriage breakups and in small part, his premature death in a house-fire.
"He (Steve) became another person in order to cope with the pressures, he would say things like, Please tell me that you’ll leave me if I go on tour again because if you say that I’ll have justification not to go, if I go and have to be that other person again I’ll just go mad. This would be said in a moment of truth but the next day had changed his mind and he’d be up and off... He was married to his music and I didn’t mind that especially in the early years when he would play me new songs on an acoustic guitar but what didn’t make me happy was when he was in the home studio, out of his brain, trying to come up with the next album because he was being pressurised into it. He would just disappear into the studio for three or four days at a time. He never slept and there would be all sorts of strange people in there with him. It was a crazy business and even the nicest people get mixed up. All sorts of chemicals were presented to him and he became addicted to them in the end. It was drugs that destroyed our relationship. Before the home studio was built Beehive Cottage was our sanctuary, afterwards it just became his workplace" -JENNY RYLANCE .[56]
When Marriott's marriage ended he allegedly immersed himself deeper into drugs and his music. According to some band members he could at times be domineering, aggressive and intolerable to work with. Rylance left Marriott in 1973. She said: "The drugs and the drink I would tolerate no more. It broke my heart to leave Steve but it had to be done, I was ultimately the stronger"[57] Humble Pie disbanded in 1975 they officially cited musical differences as the reason for the split, perhaps more accurately it was due to financial mis-management and widespread substance abuse within the band. In an interview in 2000 with John Hellier, Jerry Shirley said:
"We were all doing too many drugs, we’d lost sight of our business arrangements and no-one within the band had any control over money matters. But the main reason was that we were making bad records, it all came to a head in early 1975. The rot had set in so deep it was inevitable" -JERRY SHIRLEY[58] (Humble Pie).
Marriott always believed Dee Anthony had syphoned off the band's earnings to promote his new project Frampton and his album ''Frampton Comes Alive''. After Marriott's death, his second wife Pam Stephens claimed in an interview that while they were making the ''Marriott'' solo album they were warned off accusing Anthony of any financial mis-dealings and received threatening phone calls. Anthony was alleged to have links with the Genovese crime family (amongst others). She also claimed that after Marriott confronted Anthony about missing money, she and Marriott were summoned to a meeting at the Ravenite Social Club on Mulberry Street in New York's Italian district. Among those present were John Gotti, Frank Locascio and Paul Castellano, all of the Gambino crime family. Marriott was informed that he would not be getting any money and warned to drop the matter. Marriott took the threats to himself and his pregnant fiance seriously.[10]
Music career 1975-1991
Marriott released his first solo album the self-named ''Marriott'' in 1976 and moved back to England. Pam gave birth to their first child Toby on February 20, 1976,[10] and they were married on March 23rd, 1977 at Chelsea Registry office.[10]
Back home in England, the money from Humble Pie's farewell tour soon ran out and Marriott was reduced to stealing vegetables from a field next to Beehive Cottage. Marriott went on to form The Steve Marriott Allstars with ex-Pie member Greg Ridley and found a new manager, Laurie O'Leary. In the 1980s O'Leary took Marriott to meet Ronnie Kray in Broadmoor Hospital, he could not refuse, it was an East End request.
After the departure of Mick Taylor in 1975 from the Rolling Stones, Marriott was considered as his replacement, however Mick Jagger allegedly blocked the move after Marriott up-staged him during the audition.
"Steve told me, I was good and stood at the back for a while but then Keith would hit this lick and I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. Keith wanted him in but there was no way that once Steve opened his mouth Mick would have him in the band. He knew Steve would never stay in the background. They were the one band in the world that Steve would have loved to have been in. He just wanted to work with Keith." - PAM MARRIOTT (second wife)[10]
In 1976 a court ruled that Arden still owed the Small Faces £12,000 in unpaid royalties, he agreed to pay in monthly instalments, however after making just one payment he disappeared.[10]
Small Faces reunion
Due to the success of re-released singles "Itchycoo Park" and "Lazy Sunday" in 1975 and 1976, McLagan, Jones and Marriott were persuaded to reform Small Faces.[64] Rick Wills took the place of Lane, who pulled out after just two rehearsals, unknown to the others Lane was suffering from multiple sclerosis. The band recorded two albums ''Playmates'' and '78 in the Shade'' however the albums proved a financial and commercial failure and they disbanded. Marriott did not make any money out of the venture, his turned into a minus figure when the payment was used to extricate himself from old binding management contracts. Due to on-going financial problems Marriott was forced to sell Beehive Cottage which had been his home since 1968 and move to a small terraced house in Golders Green, London.[10] Late 1978, the Inland Revenue informed Marriott that he still owed them £100,000 in back tax from his Humble Pie days, he thought manager Dee Anthony had made all the necessary payments.[10] O'Leary, Marriott's manager, advised him to leave England or go to jail.[10] He sold the house in Golders Green and moved to California. Not long after, Marriott was possibly at his lowest ebb, completely broke he was forced to collect empty glass bottles redeeming them for small change in order to purchase food for his family .
Humble Pie Mark II
In 1980, Marriott contacted Jerry Shirley who was living in New York to discuss a Humble Pie reunion. Shirley agreed and they recorded "Fool for a Pretty Face" using Anthony "Sooty" Jones well respected among American east coast musicians and Bob Tench former member of the Jeff Beck Group. The song proved good enough for them to secure a recording contract with Atco. In the UK their material was released by Jet Records, owned by Don Arden, Marriott had to laugh.[10] They recorded the heavy rock album ''Go for the Throat'' followed by ''On to Victory'' in 1981 and both proved reasonably successful. They also toured America as part of the ''Rock 'N' Roll Marathon'' bill. However in the latter half of 1981 Marriott was beset with personal problems, his marriage to Pam was all but over. After breaking his wrist in an accident and being hospitalised with a burst ulcer, the new Humble Pie line-up disintegrated.[10]
The Majik Mijits
On a visit to England in 1981, Marriott was eager to see Ronnie Lane.[10] By this time Lane was confined to a wheelchair. After an emotional meeting, Marriott suggested they gig together. They got together with Jim Leverton, Dave Hynes, Zoot Money and Mel Collins to record an album called ''The Majik Mijits'' it features songs by Lane and Marriott though none were co-written.[71] Due to Lane's illness they were unable to tour and promote the album.
"Steve and Ronnie went to America to see Clive Davis of Arista Records. They played him the tape. Clive Davis was tapping his foot and tapping his very expensive pen on his very expensive desk. He said "Yeah, that’s great man". Steve said "So you like the tape, Clive". Steve then stopped the tape, ejected it and said "WELL YOU CAN’T FUCKING HAVE IT!" The story that Steve told me was that it would have meant touring and Ronnie just wasn’t up to it. It would have meant pretty much carrying him everywhere, no tour, no album. That’s why the Mijits never came out at that point in time. Its been gathering dust for ages" - JIM LEVERTON.[71]
The album was released nineteen years later. After the Majik Mijits, Marriott went back to New York playing on the club circuit again.[10] For the next year and a half Marriott was on the road with Jim Leverton, Goldy McJohn and Fallon Williams. They played mostly Small Faces and Humble Pie material, touring non-stop for the next eighteen months. After the departure of McJohn, the trio changed the band's name to the Three Trojans. Despite attempts at reconciliation, Marriott's marriage finally came to an end when his wife found out that Marriott was expecting a child with Terry Elias, a Canadian girl he had met while he and Pam were separated.[10]
Packet of Three
Accepting that his marriage was over Marriott moved back to England. With no home and no money he stayed at his sister Kay's house in the spare bedroom. Marriott formed Packet of Three[16] again playing the pub circuit, he insisted on being paid for each gig in cash as the Inland Revenue were still pursuing him for back taxes. In August 1984, Aura Records released ''Steve Marriott Live at the Dingwalls 6.7.84''.[10] Marriott contacted longtime friend Manon Piercey, they quickly developed a close relationship and rented a house together. Piercey gave birth to daughter Molly Mae born 3rd May, 1985.[10] With Piercey's help, Marriott cleaned up his act and reduced his excessive drink and drug habits. Sister Kay: "Steve would say, I'm not drinking any more, and he'd stop, six weeks, two months, he was very strong willed, if he wanted to he could". In 1985 Marriott was still touring with Packet of Three playing Canada, America and Europe.
During Live Aid in 1986 London based Phoenix Modernist Society joined mod revival bands such as The Lambrettas and Purple Hearts, with 1960s stars such as Chris Farlowe and PP Arnold. Together they cut a version of "All or Nothing" for Band Aid Trust. Kenny Lynch persuaded Marriott to get involved and the single was released under the collective name The Spectrum.[10] In 1985, Marriott ended his relationship with Piercey when he met future third wife Toni Poultney at a Packet of Three gig in Woking.[10]
Due to his financial situation, Marriott jokingly later renamed the group Steve Marriott and the Official Receivers. In the mid 1980s Marriott and Toni moved to a rented cottage in the small village of Arkesden.[10] The 16th century cottage was also used for location shots for the home of the title character in the BBC's long-running television series Lovejoy starring Ian McShane.[6] Marriott became well-known locally, often popping into the pub to buy bottles of brandy and borrowing glasses. He once turned up wearing trainers and a dressing gown he became something of an eccentric figure, playing pranks, particularly on the owner of the pub.[10]
Due to past experiences, in later years Marriott became wary of success and fame as well as involvement with big record companies. In later years he turned down lucrative concerts and recording deals with names like EMI. Because of this attitude, the band grew resentful believing that he was holding them back and Packet of Three was disbanded.
For the next year Marriott took time off, by now he was forty-four years old. With his health problems, overweight, and with a scruffy appearance there was little left of the striking 1960s mod icon. Film-maker Paolo Sedazzari recalled, "I remember going to see him in the 1980s, and he was brilliant. Great voice, great guitarist but what I couldn't get over were the dungarees and the mullet haircut. That was really disappointing".[10] According to his wife, Marriott still smoked cannabis, still snorted lines of cocaine but nothing compared to what he had once consumed. In his later years Marriott liked reading, his favourite authors included Stephen King, Philip K. Dick and anything on Noel Coward who Marriott had always admired.
Steve Marriott and the DT's
In May 1988, Marriott started rehearsing with The DT's, though by the time they starting touring they were called Steve Marriott and the DT's.[16] They played England and Germany mostly. Marriott's wife, recalls an occasion, when during a German tour Marriott called a German promoter "a cringing Kraut". "What does 'cringing' mean?", asked the man. "It's what Hitler did when he got his gas bill, now piss off".[10] No subject was out of bounds for Marriott, his blunt sense of humour was his way of dealing with things. Despite being out of the public gaze Marriott was still asked to particiate in various projects. Andrew Lloyd Webber asked Marriott to record two songs for his musical Evita, though after becoming drunk at the meeting Marriott ungraciously declined.[10] Film composer Steve Parsons asked Marriott to sing the title track for his film ''Food of the Gods''; Marriott agreed.[10] While recording the song, Trax Records asked Marriott to record a solo album. ''Thirty Seconds to Midnite'' was recorded at Alexandra Palace. Marriott used the money to buy a narrowboat.[10] On July 14th, 1989 Marriott and Toni Poultney were married at Epping Registry office, afterwards they threw a party at their cottage and flew off on a honeymoon to Bali.[10]
Steve Marriott's Next Band
Jim Leverton got in touch and Marriott formed a new group called Steve Marriotts Next Band, with Leverton and ex-members of both the DT's and The Official Receivers.[10] When several members left due to financial disagreements the band name Packet of Three resurfaced. After a gig at the Half Moon in Putney, ex-drummer Kofi Baker appeared and asked Marriott a favour. The son of one of his friends was in a coma, and the boy was a huge Marriott fan. He asked Steve to record a message that they could play back to him in the hope that it might help bring him round. Marriott instantly backed away. "I aint no good at anything like that" he told Kofi. Kofi persisted, turned to other people in the room to take his side, and everyone encouraged Marriott to say something. His wife Toni recalls "What happened was, Steve finally said - "Oh, alright then". Kofi turned on the tape recorder, Steve looks into the recorder and says, "WAKE UP YOU CUNT"! really loud, and then says, "that'll do won't it mate"? and everyone bursts out laughing. It was really embarrassing though, the boy's mum and dad were in the room. It wasn't that he was hard, he just had this incredibly forward attitude".[10] Their son made a full recovery and would carry the tape around with him everywhere.[10]
Frampton collaboration
Marriott had played on average 200 gigs a year, going from town to town, pub to pub. It was at this time Frampton flew into England and asked Marriott to reform Humble Pie to produce a one-off album and a reunion tour.[16] The financial payment would be enough to allow Marriott to take things easier. He agreed, and they flew out to Frampton's recording studio in Los Angeles on January 27, 1991.[10]
They began writing songs; However, the project was never completed after Marriott had a change of heart and returned home. Two recorded songs from this final effort, "The Bigger They Come", and "I Won't Let You Down", with Steve Marriott on vocals (and guitar), appeared on Peter Frampton's album ''Shine On''. A third song, featuring both Marriott and Frampton entitled "Out of the Blue" was featured on the first solo recording Frampton made after Marriott's death. A fourth song, "An Itch You Can't Scratch" has been found on many illegal compilations and even on one of two "authorised" British releases, the recording date, and whether Frampton played on it has never been verified.
Death - April 21, 1991
Friday April 20, 1991. Marriott and his wife Toni[6] were on a flight home from America where he had been recording songs for a future album with Frampton. During the flight, according to his wife, Marriott was drinking heavily and in a foul mood. On arrival they were met by a mutual friend and they had eaten at one of Marriott's favourite restaurants where he consumed more alcohol. Back at their friend's house it was now the early hours of the next morning and still awake they had decided to stay overnight, but upstairs in bed, Marriott and Poultney had continued to argue. Poultney finally fell asleep and was unaware that Marriott had called a taxi and made his way home alone.
At approximately 6:30am, April 21, a passing motorist saw the roof of Marriott's cottage blaze and called the fire brigade. Four fire engines were needed to put out the fire. In newspaper interviews, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Keith Dunatis who found Marriott said:
"It was a tough fight getting upstairs. We searched the bedroom areas and it was very hot, we knew immediately that no-one could have survived the fire. We began to feel around the walls and discovered him lying on the floor between the bed and the wall. I would say he had been in bed and tried to escape. As soon as I saw the body clearly I knew who it was. I used to be a fan, it's difficult to put my feelings into words. The scene was horrific in that corner of the room. I saw him lying there and thought what a pity it all was. I deal with many fires but this one was like walking down memory lane. We managed to salvage all his guitars and musical equipment. I feel a bit upset, all the firemen do. It was like seeing part of our lives gone forever." - (Fire Officer) KEITH DUNATIS.[96]
[97] It is believed that the most likely cause of the fire was that soon after arriving home jet-lagged and tired in the early hours, Marriott had lit a cigarette whilst in bed and almost immediately fallen into a deep sleep. Tragically, if he had been able to purchase his usual rolling tobacco earlier at the airport the fire would not have happened. Unlike conventional cigarettes pouched tobacco contains no chemicals to keep it alight.
As Marriott was found lying on the floor between the bed and wall, investigators concluded he may have tried unsuccessfully to escape after being woken by the blaze. Disorientated and confused after inhaling large amounts of thick smoke, Marriott had turned left instead of right towards the bedroom door and safety. He had been unable to rectify his mistake before being overcome with smoke. At the inquest, a verdict of accidental death by smoke inhalation was recorded. Marriott's blood was also found to contain quantities of valium (taken earlier for flight nerves), alcohol and cocaine.[10]
"He (Marriott) was certainly the most talented person I ever worked with. He was like a brother to me and I was devastated when he died. He always lived on the edge and I was always waiting for a 'phone call to say that he had died but I never dreamed it would be under those circumstances. He's never got the credit he deserves. He should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame because he was the greatest white soul singer that England ever produced. I'm certain that if you caught the likes of Rod Stewart and Paul Rodgers in a private moment and asked them who was the main man, they would say, Steve Marriott" - JERRY SHIRLEY.[99]
Small Faces song "All or Nothing" was played as the requiem at Marriott's funeral[100] held on April 30, 1991 at the Saffron Walden crematorium. Marriott's parents donated an inscribed bench in his memory which is still there.[16] Amongst the mourners, noted attendees included ex-Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones also Peter Frampton, Joe Brown, PP Arnold, Terence Stamp, Jerry Shirley and Greg Ridley. Among those who sent wreaths David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd), Rod Stewart and his then wife Rachel Hunter. Nothing was heard from ex-Small Faces members Ian McLagan or Ronnie Lane.[6]
Steve Marriott tribute concert
On April 20, 2001, the 10th anniversary of Marriott's death, musicians paid tribute at the London Astoria, Charing Cross Road, London. Accomplished musicians performed both Small Faces and Humble Pie songs and included past band members:[103]
★ Humble Pie band-members - Peter Frampton, Clem Clempson, Greg Ridley and Jerry Shirley.
★ Small Faces band-members - Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan.
★ Also - Paul Weller (solo artist and ex-frontman of The Jam and The Style Council) - Noel Gallagher (of Oasis) - Midge Ure (lead singer of former band Ultravox), - Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son and drummer with The Who and Oasis) - Steve Ellis solo artist and (formerly of British 60's group The Love Affair) and Tony Rivers (of British 60's group The Castaways).[104]
Guest appearances
Throughout his career, Marriott helped out on other peoples records vocally, instrumentally and also producing. Here is a selection:
★ Bill Wyman invited Marriott to play guitar and backing vocals on the recording of ''Their Satanic Majesties Request'' album, on track "In Another Land" in Brian Jones absence.[6]
★ PP Arnold - Marriott wrote and produced "If You Think Your Groovy - along with Lane and the other Small Faces.
★ Joe Brown - collaborated on the singer/entertainer's song "Tin Soldier"
★ The Herd - produced the UK band's single "Sunshine Cottage"
★ Alexis Korner hired Marriott as a guitar player for his UK and European tours in 1975
★ Mott the Hoople - provided vocals on "Midnight Lady" (1971)
★ Del Shannon - contributed keyboards on the ''Home and Away'' album in sessions recorded by Andrew Oldham
★ Traffic - on the ''Mr. Fantasy'' album, Marriott is clearly heard on the track "Berkshire Poppies"
★ Tony Rivers and The Castaways secured Marriott's help in 1966 on their single "I Cant Make It Without You" after Marriott walked into the studio and offered to sing.
★ Donovan - Marriott guested on track "There is a Girl for Every Boy" on the ''Essence to Essence'' album.
★ Chris Farlowe song "My Way of Giving" - contributed guitar and vocals on the single which was produced by Mick Jagger and written by Marriott/Lane.
★ Easybeats - provided vocals on their single "Good Times" from the LP ''Vigil'' in 1968.
★ Nescafe coffee's new product - ''Blend 37'' TV commercial (1989). Marriott and Clempson were asked to guest, singing Ike and Tina Turner's hit song "Black Coffee" (which also appears on Humble Pie's (1973) album ''Eat It'').
★ Jim Capaldi - Marriott provided guest vocals on 1984 album ''One Man Mission'' on the track "Young Savages", (Marriott and Capaldi were friends from Capaldi's days in the band Traffic).
★ "Seamus" on Pink Floyd's album ''Meddle'' - Marriott's dog Seamus made a notable appearance in the song.[106] (He can also be heard on the Small Faces song "The Universal", which Marriott recorded on a cassette player in his backyard. The former track appears on the video '', however, the dog featured in the live recording is not the original Seamus. His vocal styling was reprised by a female Afghan Hound named Nobs with similar musical talents, and in the film the title was altered accordingly to read "Mademoiselle Nobs").
★ Johnny Hallyday - Marriott and Small Faces together with Frampton appear on recordings by the French pop singer
★ New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders - appeared on recordings.
★ John Lee (ex The Dingoes) - wrote and recorded with the Australian drummer and songwriter .
Guitar legacy
★ Gretsch 6120 (& various models) - during the Small Faces, Marriott used the original brown Gretsch 6120 (and various models). Most Small Faces tracks would have been recorded with this guitar, Marriott also used a brown model at the beginning of Humble Pie.
★ Fender Telecaster - used towards the end of the Small Faces (1968). Marriott fattened its sound by replacing the neck pick-up with a P90. Interestingly Eddie Cochrane replaced his neck pick-up on his Gretsch with a P90 too. Marriott's telecaster ended its days with the Small Faces at Alexandra Palace, breaking in two as it was thrown down in disgust during the gig on New Years Eve when Marriott announced his decision to leave the band.
★ Gibson Les Paul Junior - apparently given to Marriott by a fan. Like the telecaster Marriott modified it in a whimsical way by removing the original scratch plate and replacing it with the white scratch plate from his Dwight.
★ Epiphone Dwight - used during Humble Pie's early days, and can be heard on the band's song "I don't Need No Doctor" . The Dwight was also victim to a rather strange modification, the apparently home-made black scratch plate extended along to the controls and jack socket. The Dwight is probably the most famous Humble Pie guitar icon, and it was stolen in the UK (whereabouts still unknown).
★ Gibson Les Paul Custom - Marriott was pictured using a Les Paul in the Small Faces. It was used almost exclusively at Humble Pie performances from 1973 onwards and was possibly still being used right at the end of the band's life. Steve’s son Toby now owns this guitar, and played it at his father's Memorial Concert in 2001.
★ Ovation & Ibanez - Marriott advertised an Ovation Electric in the trade and music press in the mid 1970s, (he was never seen actually playing one).
★ Fender Esquire - used on the Small Faces II reunion. It appeared on the Small Faces II tour and disappeared as quickly after the split. There is video footage of Steve playing a Sunburst Fender Stratocaster during the Blackberries period of Humble Pie.
★ Gibson 335 - Manon Piercey bought Marriott this guitar around 1985. His decision to play in three-piece bands in the future reflects the confidence that he had in his guitar playing. After the acquisition of this guitar, he seemed never to play any other, adding to the rumours that this was in fact his only guitar. Toby has this guitar now and the pick-up covers are removed.[107]
Solo discography
★ See Steve Marriott discography
''(See also: Small Faces discography and Humble Pie for respective discographies)''
References/Notes
'Notes':
1.
The Small Faces (in one minute)
2.
Still room for ravers...5 July 2004
3.
The Ivors
4.
100 greatest singers of all time (1984)
5.
Lord Crowley review
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All Our Yesterdays
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Night Cargoes
21. All Our Yesterdays
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Live It Up! film
23. All Our Yesterdays
24. The Early Radio London Fab Forties
25. All Our Yesterdays
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Dateline Diamonds
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Mrs. Dale's Diary
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43. From the Beginning
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Guide to British Music of the 1960s
55.
Guide to British Music of the 1960s
56.
Interview with Jenny Rylance 1999
57.
Interview with Jenny Rylance (1999)
58.
Interview with Jerry Shirley 14 September 2000
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History of East London
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Jerry Shirley Interview on 14 September 2000
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''Steve Marriott''
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Original members of Humble Pie reunite for first time in 10 years for tribute to Steve Marriott
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Music Artists & Albums: Albums-Pink Floyd
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Tools of the Trade - Steve’s Electric Guitars
'References':
★ Paolo Hewitt John Hellier (2004). ''Steve Marriott - All Too Beautiful...''. Helter Skelter Publishing ISBN 1-900924-44-7.
★ Paolo Hewitt/Kenney Jones (1995) ''small faces the young mods' forgotten story'' - Acid Jazz ISBN 0 9523935 0 6
External links
★ Marriott's official site Steve Marriott official site
★ [1] NME's Review of Steve Marriott Memorial Concert
★ You Tube: The Small Faces - "Tin Soldier"
★ You Tube: The Small Faces - "Itchycoo Park"
★ You Tube: Humble Pie Bilzen Festival Belgium August 1969
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psst.. try this: add to faves
