[ad_1]
Our story began 30 years ago. I went to an unknown band called Krak in Ticino. They were looking for a music coach and I was looking for a job because Krokus was on hiatus. The first rehearsals were resinous and I was about to give up. Then I heard the band play the song, it was “Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues” by Whitesnake. Steve’s voice sounded strong and beautiful when he was allowed to sing the hot melodies of a high number. There was great talent in the air.
After long and intensive talks on the musical direction of the band, it was clear that we had a lot of work ahead of us, but the guys Steve Lee and Leo Leoni were ready to take the rocky road and I was looking forward to the task. Operation Gotthard with hammer voice Steve Lee could begin.
The plan was to come up with a first CD as strong as possible, because only then did we have the slightest chance of hard rock at a time when grunge music was sweeping the countries. He took ideas, songs and irresistible rhythm. We worked on it for almost a year before we flew to Los Angeles to record and we actually made a very strong debut album.
The author of this text in 1994 with the band Gotthard (from left to right: drummer Hena Habegger, producer Chris von Rohr, bassist Marc Lynn, guitarist Leo Leoni and singer Steve Lee)
© Keystone
Incredibly modest and reserved
Sometimes there were moments of shock when Steve’s voice suddenly trailed off. Just because. He was unspeakably upset. All the persuasion didn’t help. After three days we took him to Dr. Joseph Sugerman, who has treated all the star singers in Beverly Hills for decades. After a brief examination, he diagnosed dehydration, an air conditioning problem that affected the voice. “Go to Hawaii for a week, Mr. Lee.” Although this island had long been Steve’s dream destination, we had to persuade him to fly there for days while we continued to work. I was totally embarrassed.
Steve was like that: always others first, work, then him. For us it was incredible, even at times almost painful, how humble, reserved and skeptical he was. Of course, the permanent uncertainty, this doubt had something to do with its origins and its previous, more conservative environment. Only a few encouraged him to follow the great dream of the rock musician and follow his path without compromise. It was made and kept small, trim, typically Swiss, for safety and precaution – in other words, the opposite of wild, adventurous, freedom-loving rock’n’roll.
We talk a lot about generational conflict, expectations, appreciation, work and visions in a high-performing society. This resulted in the song “Father Is That Enough”.
As a music producer, I have had the privilege of working with many great rock singers, but without exaggeration, Steve’s voice was the loudest I have ever heard. It was there, God-given. Not to mention his enormous stage charisma. With all the songwriting sessions we did on the piano or with the guitars all the time, I could have sung the phone book, it always sounded world class.
There was power, spirit, and an incredible timbre that just sounded fat, warm, and never forced or forced on every tone. A gift for every band and every producer. Legendary, sadly late, Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord said after a joint live performance that he had never heard such a flawless and powerful voice.
Steve was an exceptional singer and also a person of heart. For one of my birthdays he gave me a druse, this huge group of purple crystals in the shape of a small cave. You can put your whole hand in it and feel the different stones. A wonderful gift. I put it on my old black Steinway grand piano, where the song “Heaven” was written. It is there to this day.
Steve Lee’s Five Milestones
The collaboration with the charismatic Montserrat Caballé was definitely a highlight. The great lady of the opera had chosen our song “One Life, One Soul” for a duet on her album. First of all, we had to wait hours in a London studio to receive gifts and wander around, delighting in the score for “One Life, One Soul”, which had been carefully written especially for the diva. So I wanted to sing duet with Steve from sheet music. Good health!
Steve helped Montserrat Caballé out of trouble several times
The Spanish “Mountain Mama” arrived three hours late and greeted us with: “How are you, dear children? Have you already had breakfast? “Our anger at her generous understanding of the southern weather faded after this warm welcome. We couldn’t be mad at her, she exuded so much charm and humor and took our hearts by storm.
But I had to suggest to the dear woman that she sing the words a little sharper and more lively than in classical music to keep the flow of the song. The diva was visibly more nervous than us. Steve, very gentleman, helped her out of trouble several times. At her request, he lightly pinched her arm every time he risked singing rhythmically beyond the song. After a few tries, we had the song in the can.
One year later, the summer night concert with the special guest Montserrat Caballé in the Piazza Grande in Locarno will not be forgotten. A forklift took the slim lady onto the stage. There she showed us all why, with good reason, she belonged to the top of the world.
The moment when she and Steve softly and lightly intoned “One Life, One Soul” will always remain in my memory: an immortal angel duo of two giants that resonated for a long time with everyone present. Music can be so loud and moving!
Steve may have passed away, but a person is only really dead when no one thinks of him anymore, when he is forgotten. Even if in the end there is only a small pile of stardust left with each of us and life on earth was often full of difficulties, hopefully we will leave something for future generations. Steve’s voice will last for a long time. Songs like “One Life, One Soul”, “Let It Rain”, “All I Care For” and “Heaven” can continue to delight people’s ears and hearts. Thanks Steve for your unique magic.
