Steve Butler
Steve Butler has been a singer and musician all his working life. His first professional group was the five-piece rock outfit Monroe, who were signed to Polydor and enjoyed considerable success in the 1980s.
Whilst in the band, Steve became in-demand as a session singer, which has grown to the point where he is one of the UK’s most prolific session guys. He has guested on many albums and with many artists, including Paul Rodgers of Free & Bad Company, Bryan Adams, Wendy James of Transvision Vamp and Bobby Kimball of Toto.
In 1992/93, Steve became one of Cliff Richard’s backing singers and toured extensively around the UK and Europe. He also works as a composer/lyricist and has recently written for the RTL film Stich Ins Herz, for the German TV series Tatort Brüder and performed on the soundtrack for the Madonna movie: Evita.
So Steve, what was your first encounter with Barclay James Harvest?
Mike Byron-Hehir, Ian Wilson and I had just finished working with Paul Rodgers and Kenny Jones on The Law album, when Andy Macpherson of Revolution Studios called with a mystery session. We were all amazed to learn that we were to be working on the new Barclay James Harvest album Welcome To The Show. You have to understand that, in this part of the world, these guys are like demigods!
What were your impressions of the music?
I was knocked out by the songs. When you work a lot in the industry, you kind of know what to expect, but these guys were different – there is such an atmosphere that surrounds their music. You get very used to bands tapping into high energy to attract attention, but there was a kind of serene strength about the music and the lyrics. In a world that seems to be so hung up on youth, these were adults making music for grown-ups.
What happened next?
I was kind of aware that changes were afoot within Barclay James Harvest, so when Andy Macpherson called to summon me to Revolution Studios again, I wasn’t so surprised to be greeted by Les and Mel. It seemed that Les Holroyd had been burning the midnight oil to come up with a batch of classic songs that would go under the name Revolution Days. The next few months revealed that the spirit of BJH was indeed still alive. Great songs; great producer; great musicians. Result!
You seem to be enjoying a successful career as a session guy. What tempted you out on the road with BJHFLH?
Apart from the occasional outing, I was very much a studio rat but when Les called me and asked if I'd like to go out on the road with BJHFLH, I said, "What? Hang with my very favourite musicians, travelling through some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe with the best-stocked fridge this side of The Osbournes? Are you mad? Of course I would!"
What is your role in the band?
I’m first and foremost a singer. The vocals have always been such a major feature of Barclay James Harvest, and to his credit, Les was adamant that what the audience sees on stage is what the audience hears. In other words, there are no pre-recorded vocal tracks in this band. Unlike so many others these days all the vocals are live. Between Les, Ian, Colin, Mike and myself, I reckon we make a pretty good racket. As well as the singing, I’ve always been an enthusiastic percussionist, if not particularly accomplished – believe me, Tito Puente has nothing to fear!
And you play some keyboards in the set. Are you classically trained?
Depends how you define classically. I completed the Richard Clayderman Play With Yourself In A Day book. Does that count? Luckily, Colin Browne is a veritable one-man orchestra. I swear, I look over to his side of the stage some nights and see ectoplasm emanating from his eleven fingers.
What are your hopes for the future?
The incredible effort and inspiration that Les, John, Mel and Woolly have put in over the last 35-odd years have provided this here today, gone tomorrow world with a legacy of music that is irreplaceable. I sincerely hope that, in whatever guise, we are able to carry the flame to new generations of music fans for many years to come.
Thanks Steve. Good luck with the tour.