Steve Connolly

Stephen James Connolly (1959–1995) was an Australian musician and record producer. He is primarily known as the lead guitarist and singer in Paul Kelly's backing band The Coloured Girls/Messengers from 1984 to 1991. Steve played melodically and with great economy. This created space for him to embellish the songs with volume swells, pickup changes, the tremolo arm on his guitar as well as reverb and delay to add dynamics. He was the ultimate servant to the song and one of Australia’s best and yet underrated guitarists. While working for Kelly, he also co-wrote songs including "Darling It Hurts" (1986). Connolly, with Kelly, co-produced Charcoal Lane (May 1990) for Archie Roach. Connolly was working on his debut solo album, Steve Connolly and the Usual Suspects (1998), when he died in 1995 of a bacterial infection of the heart.