richard
@richkeys
surrey, b.c. Canada
Joined Sep 9, 2003
BIO: RICHARD STEPP
Richard Stepp's first taste of fame came when he joined rock group The Northwest Company in 1967. They were often the opening act for visiting groups like The Who and The Byrds. After their lead singer departed, Richard found himself pulling triple duty as drummer, lead singer and songwriter. His songs were also picked for the A side for the groups last three singles.
After the NW Co broke up in 1974, Richard landed a deal with the brand new Mushroom Records and then with Casino Records with veteran producer Andy DiMartino. Fronting a new band, Shakedown, he became a strong draw in western Canada, playing clubs, doing TV, and concerts with Chuck Berry, Trooper, and Long John Baldrey.
Andy DiMartino recognized Richard's obvious talents, and took him to Los Angeles where they recorded an album of strong MOR/AR music using some of LA's top players. The album Holiday In Hollywood was released on MCA's speciality label Infinity Records and the title track was released as a single, doing very well in Richard's native Canada, as well as several European countries, South Africa, and Australia and New Zealand. It was enough to earn him a nomination as "Best New Male Artist" in the 1980 Canadian Juno Awards ,along with Bryan Adams. He won a PRO Canada 'Maple Leaf Award' for songwriting that year. Richard Stepp's self titled second LP was released on Vera Cruz Records in late 1981, in Canada only.
A lot of demos were recorded during the rest of the eighties, and more serious recording was done in 1990 with Bill Cowsill and Prism's Lindsay Mitchell. These recordings have remained unreleased. Richard has performed mostly as a solo for the last 20 years, working on the cruise ships, travelling the world, with extended stops in Sweden, Germany and The Netherlands. A Christmas CD was released in 1997. Currently he is recording songs for an upcoming CD, and playing piano around town to fans of his rockin' piano, strong vocals, and rootsy style.
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