FORWARD INTO THE UNKNOWN

By Trev Teasdel (Poet, author and historian)

For a working-class man born in Consett, County Durham, UK apprenticed to the steel industry, with expectations only of the inevitable, Steve Thompson has managed to weld together, over 50 years, an amazing career as a hit songwriter, musician, rock band leader, record producer, ideas man, raconteur, radio producer, community media mogul, workshop leader and much more.

The world is full of unsung heroes, the people behind the scenes who pull the strings, spark ideas, and write the material for others to sing and while Steve may be one of them, his songs at least have been well sung by some of the top artists in show business. He’s worked alongside some of the top producers of the time. This is what this book is about — those songs that will be familiar to you even if you never knew who wrote them, the stories that lie behind them; the highs and lows, told with honesty, clarity and humour.

There’s nothing highfalutin about Steve Thompson, he’s pulled himself up by his bootstraps, achieved his dream, despite setbacks, and through it remains humble (if a little boastful — as you will see!), a staunchly people’s man with a wicked sense of humour (and I do mean wicked!). For all his achievements, Steve has given back generously to the communities who support him, helping people to achieve their own dreams through digital technology, social media, creativity, song production etc. Steve understands those dreams — and although he is a man with few formal qualifications — this book is his highest qualification — full of hard graft and wide experience!

READ NEXT ……..

Goodbye Consett (click to read chapters one to four)