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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZVAN ZANDT, Steve 'Miami'(b 22 Nov. '50, Boston MA) Guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, leader, producer. Grew up in New Jersey, gigged in bar bands there incl. Steel Mill, where he met Bruce Springsteen. Joined Asbury Jukes on formation '75, later that year joined Springsteen's E Street Band, but remained close to the highly rated band that had become Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. He was the bedrock of the E Street Band, vocal harmonies and long friendship with Springsteen making a perfect partnership, but inevitably he stood in the Boss's shadow. The E Streets were on hold '82 as Springsteen prepared solo LP Nebraska; he adopted sobriquet Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul for a twelve- piece band and played a one-off gig at the London Marquee that year to critical acclaim: band incl. Jukes horn section, ex- Plasmatics bassist Jean Beauvoir; debut album Men Without Women '82 was impressive, his voice not a strong one but the band's sound awesome. He prod. two LPs for Gary 'US' Bonds, left Springsteen (replaced by Nils Lofgren) '84; he'd called himself Sugar Miami Steve on a Southside Johnny album, had also written songs for Jukes and Bonds, now turned to Disciples full time: second album Voice Of America '84 was a good follow-up, overtly political incl. title track, 'Solidarity' (covered by reggae trio Black Uhuru), 'Los Desaperecidos'. Went on fact-finding trip to South Africa mid-'85; result was powerful Sun City album/concert '85, an anti-apartheid project with Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Arthur Baker, Gil Scott Heron and Stevie Wonder which raised over $400,000. He guested on some Springsteen tour dates '85, co-prod. Lone Justice LP Shelter '86; new Disciples set Freedom No Compromise '87 was his last chart album. |