Steve Stevens

Emerging as one of the most visually and technically striking guitarists from the 1980s rock era, Steve Stevens was born on May 5, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York. His introduction to the guitar occurred at age seven, after which he developed a strong interest in progressive rock acts such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Yes. While performing throughout Manhattan, he participated in an unreleased project with Fine Maribus and contributed session guitar work plus a songwriting credit on "First Day in the Rain" for Peter Criss's 1982 solo album Let Me Rock You. During those early 1980s years, Stevens connected with Billy Idol, formerly of Generation X, who had arrived in New York seeking a solo path. Partnering with ex-Kiss manager Bill Aucoin, their fusion of Idol's punk roots and Stevens' hard rock style alongside dance elements propelled Idol to prominence via early MTV videos. Albums like the 1982 self-titled release and 1983's Rebel Yell achieved massive success, highlighted by Stevens' intense guitar playing and flamboyant glam appearance. Following a lengthy wait, the pair delivered 1986's Whiplash Smile, another major success, yet Stevens pursued independent endeavors and departed the group toward the decade's close. His services remained sought after for recordings including Michael Jackson's Bad, Ric Ocasek's This Side of Paradise, Thompson Twins' Here's to Future Days, and Robert Palmer's Don't Explain. Notably, he featured on the 1986 Top Gun film soundtrack, co-creating "Top Gun Anthem" with Harold Faltermeyer, which brought him a Grammy Award in the Pop Instrumental Performance category. In 1989, he established Steve Stevens' Atomic Playboys, releasing just one album under that name despite considerable anticipation. Stevens maintained an active pace into the early 1990s, planning Jerusalem Slim alongside ex-Hanoi Rocks vocalist Michael Monroe, though the effort stalled before advancing significantly. Unexpectedly, he then supported ex-Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil—whose actions had previously ended Monroe's Hanoi Rocks—for the 1993 album Exposed and its tour. His affinity for progressive rock found expression through the formation of Bozzio Levin Stevens with bassist Tony Levin and drummer Terry Bozzio, yielding Black Light Syndrome in 1997 and Situation Dangerous in 2000. Concurrently, he rejoined Idol for the 2002 VH1 Storytellers and put out the solo effort Flamenco A Go-Go.