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Photo of Steve Mann

Steve Mann

composer / guitarist / keyboardist / producer / engineer

Michael Schenker, Lionheart, The Sweet, Eloy, etc.

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Steve was born in London, England into a musical family. He had 8 years of classical piano lessons, and studied at the John Williams School of Classical Guitar in London. At 15 he bought his first electric guitar and thus began a lifelong obsession with the instrument. His bluesy melodic style stems from early influences such as Eric Clapton, Ritchie Blackmore and Andy Powell.

Steve joined his first fully professional band Liar in 1977, recording 2 albums in London and Los Angeles then moved onto Lionheart in 1980, forming, with Dennis Stratton, Rocky Newton, Frank Noon and Jess Cox, what Sounds magazine dubbed the first NWOBHM Supergroup. After recording the Hot Tonight album with Lionheart in the legendary Sound City Studios, Los Angeles, Rocky and Steve joined Michael Schenker in the McAuley Schenker Group, recording 2 albums, Perfect Timing and Save Yourself, produced by Andy Johns and Frank Filipetti respectively. The latter, recorded in Los Angeles, spawned the US number 6 hit single ‘Anytime’, written by Steve and Robin McAuley. In 1988 Steve, with 2 partners, established Frida Park Studio in Hannover and over the following 10 years he honed his skills as producer and engineer for dozens of bands who passed through. Steve also spent 7 years touring most of the world as member of The Sweet and occasionally guests with the band today. He was also invited to play with Hannover prog-rock band Eloy with whom he completed several tours.

More recently Steve has operated a personal recording facility centred around a PreSonus Studio One 3 Digital Audio Workstation and continues his work as musician, producer and engineer. Recent projects include the Albert Lee Cadogan Hall DVD, the Ralph McTell Live DVD and Albert Lee’s last solo album ‘Highwayman’. Steve is now also back playing with Michael Schenker in ‘Michael Schenker Fest’ where he is also musical director and is incredibly hyped up to be writing and recording a new album for the reformed Lionheart.