Steve Marriott

Steve Marriott
Marriott performing with Humble Pie
Marriott performing with Humble Pie
Background information
Birth nameStephen Peter Marriott
Born(1947-01-30)30 January 1947
Plashet, Essex, England
Died20 April 1991(1991-04-20) (aged 44)
Arkesden, Essex, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1959–1991
Labels
Formerly of
Websitestevemarriott.co.uk

Stephen Peter Marriott (30 January 1947 – 20 April 1991) was an English musician, guitarist, singer and songwriter. He co-founded and played in the rock bands Small Faces and Humble Pie, in a career spanning over 20 years. Marriott was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Small Faces.

In Britain, Marriott became a popular, often-photographed mod style icon.[1] Marriott was influenced by musicians such as: Miles Davis, Buddy Holly, Booker T & the MG's, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters and Bobby Bland. In his later life, Marriott distanced himself from the mainstream music industry and turned away from major record labels, remaining in relative obscurity. He returned to his musical roots, playing in local pubs and clubs around London and Essex.[2]

Marriott died on 20 April 1991 when a fire, which was thought to have been caused by a cigarette, swept through his 16th-century home in Arkesden, Essex.[3] He was 44 and posthumously received an Ivor Novello Award in 1996 for his "Outstanding Contribution to British Music", and was listed in Mojo as one of the top 100 greatest singers of all time.[4][5]

Former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne named Marriott the fourth-greatest singer ever[6] and Clem Burke of Blondie ranked him the sixteenth.[7] Paul Stanley of Kiss called Marriott "unbelievable" and a hero of his, while Steve Perry of Journey named him one of his favourite singers.[8]

  1. ^ "Still room for ravers...5 July 2004". Lord Crowley... Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  2. ^ "Lord Crowley review". BBC. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  3. ^ Steve Marriott – All Too Beautiful... pp. 287–288.
  4. ^ "100 greatest singers of all time (1984)". Mojo Magazine. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  5. ^ "The Ivors". The Ivor Novello Awards. Archived from the original on 25 August 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
  6. ^ "Pictures". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  7. ^ "The 100 Greatest Singers: Inside the Ballots : Photos : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Classic Rock " Blog Archive " 'Steve Marriott Was Unbelievable' – More on One of Classic Rock's Star Singers". Classicrockmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2011.