Steve Norman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Norman
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Norman in October 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Steven Antony Norman |
| Born | 25 March 1960 London, England |
| Genres | Synthpop, new wave, pop rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Saxophone, guitar, percussion, vocals, keyboards |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Chrysalis |
Steven Antony Norman (born on March 25, 1960) is an English musician. He is best known for playing the tenor saxophone in the famous English band Spandau Ballet. He also plays guitar, percussion, and keyboards.
Contents
Steve Norman's Musical Journey
How Steve Norman Started in Music
Steve Norman was born in Stepney, a part of east London. From a young age, he showed a great talent for music. In 1976, he began playing guitar in a band at Dame Alice Owen's School. This band was called The Cut. His bandmates included Gary Kemp, Tony Hadley, and John Keeble. Over time, the band changed its name a few times. It was called The Makers, then The Gentry, and finally, Spandau Ballet.
Steve Norman and Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet became very popular and signed with Chrysalis Records. For their third album, Steve started adding percussion to their songs. He also began playing the tenor saxophone. The saxophone soon became his main instrument and his signature sound.
With Spandau Ballet, Steve toured all over the world. The band had many hit songs throughout the 1980s. A big moment for the band was in 1985. Steve and Spandau Ballet performed at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium. This was a huge concert to raise money for charity.
The band later took a break in the early 1990s. After about 20 years, news came out in 2009 that Spandau Ballet would get back together. On March 25, 2009, Steve Norman, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp, Tony Hadley, and John Keeble announced their reunion. They held a press conference on board HMS Belfast. The band also shared plans for their 'Reformation Tour' starting in October 2009.
Steve Norman helped write the song "Once More." This song was the first new single from Spandau Ballet in two decades.
Steve Norman's Projects After Spandau Ballet
After Spandau Ballet went their separate ways in the early 1990s, Steve Norman moved to Ibiza. He took some time off from performing live. While living there, Steve worked with many other musicians and producers. These included Lenny Krarup, Nacho Sotomayor, Stefan Zauner, and DJ Pippi.
Steve also worked with Rafa Peletey on different music projects. One of these was Funky Jack's "Saxomatic" percussion mix. Steve also helped put together music for the Made in Ibiza Chills n' Thrills album. He also worked with Peletey to create A Journey Through Savannah for their record label, Island Pulse Records.
Steve kept playing his saxophone and percussion at house music events. He performed in clubs across the UK and around the world. He played alongside famous musicians like Byron Stingily and Frankie Knuckles. Steve formed a group called 'The Collective' with DJ John Jones and Martin Ikin. Their first song was a new version of "Promised Land."
In 2012 and 2014, Steve Norman was a special guest saxophonist and percussionist. He played for Steve Harley's performances of his first two albums. In 2013, Steve played on three songs for Bruce Foxton's album, Back in the Room. He also played on James Stevenson's album, Everything's Getting Closer To Being Over, released in 2014. As of 2021, he performs live with a band called The Sleevz.
Steve Norman has also performed at concerts to support The Prince's Trust charity. He also played at the "Free Nelson Mandela Concert" with Tony Hadley.
Cloudfish Music Project
In 2001, Steve Norman and Rafa Peletey started a music production team called Cloudfish. They invited Shelley Preston to sing for them. Cloudfish then became a band with Steve, Shelley, and Rafa writing and producing their own songs. Rafa left the band in 2003 but still joined Steve and Shelley sometimes.
Cloudfish continued to write, produce, and perform music. They were featured artists on an album by an Italian group called Quintessenza. Cloudfish also sold out many concerts, including one at Ronnie Scott's. Their song "So High" was included on the CD compilation, Dome Ibiza: The Chillout Session Vol. 2.
Steve Norman's Personal Life
Steve Norman writes a regular column where he reviews CDs for Ibiza Now magazine.
Steve has two children, a son named Jack and a daughter named Lara.
He is a big fan of the football team Tottenham Hotspur F.C..
