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Steve Stevens (born as '''Steve Schneider''' on May 5 , 1959 , in Brooklyn , New York ) is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for playing for other artists (most notably Billy Idol and Vince Neil ) and less known, but critically acclaimed for his solo efforts ('' Atomic Playboys '' and '' Flamenco A Go-Go ''), collaborations ('' Bozzio Levin Stevens '', a.k.a. '' Black Light Syndrome ''), as an in-demand session guitarist, and guitar instructor. MUSICAL CAREER Steve Stevens attended New York City's prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Of Performing Arts as a music major, studying the Guitar , and graduating in 1977. In 1979 Steve played in a band called One Hand Clap with lead singer Ray Melnik . They played Long Island clubs almost six nights a week for about a year. Steve and Ray eventually moved on to join the Fine Malibus in New York City. The Fine Malibus all lived and rehearsed in a 3000 square foot loft on west 30th street. They caught the attention of Jimmy Miller who originally produced some of the first Rolling Stones albums and he arranged for them to record an album at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, which was funded by Chris Blackwell of Island Records . They spent 2 months there in 1981 and even played a local club at night. They wrote & recorded an album of the same name with Island Records but it was never released. At Compass Point Studios is where Steve met singer Robert Palmer . Steve moved on when the manager of the Fine Malibus introduced him to Billy Idol . His hit-making collaboration with Billy Idol began when Idol moved from the UK to the U.S. , shortly after the latter's band Generation X disbanded. Stevens co-wrote and played on the albums ''Don't Stop'' EP, ''Billy Idol'' (1982), '' Rebel Yell '' (1984), '' Whiplash Smile '' (1986), and the remix collection ''Vital Idol'' (1985). Musical differences during the ''Whiplash Smile'' sessions led to the pair's parting of ways (namely, Steve's jazz-laden guitar work on the cut "Man For All Seasons"). Following his departure from Billy Idol's band, Stevens pursued a solo career, releasing his first album '' Atomic Playboys '' in 1989 and receiving good comments from the critics and a moderate commercial response. In 1992 , Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil was put into the studio to record a single for the movie "'' Encino Man ''" called "You're Invited But Your Friend Can't Come" with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees fame. To help record the song, Vince put together a solo band, bringing Stevens in to handle shredding duties. The following year, a $4 million deal was closed for Neil at Warner Bros. (at which Warner Bros. CEO Mo Ostin said, "We should take Vince and that other rock kid we've got... David Lee Roth and put them in a band together." His son Michael replied, "But Dad, they're both singers."). Stevens was brought back into the fold to help record a debut album at the Record Plant in Los Angeles . The album, Exposed, was released on April 27, 1993. It debuted at #13 on the charts, although it soon began a downward spiral. It had notable quasi-successful singles with the songs "Sister of Pain", "Can't Have Your Cake", and the aforementioned "You're Invited But Your Friend Can't Come". The album was moderately successful, a glittering hunk of Mötley Crüe-styled rock landing right in the middle of 1993 alternative city. It sold somewhere between 200,000 and 400,000 copies. Afterward, the band, including Stevens, toured opening for Van Halen in 1993, and then embarked on a '93-'94 club tour. Upon completion of the tour, Stevens left the band. Stevens recorded his second solo album, '' Flamenco A Go-Go '', in his home studio entirely by himself. This effort stemmed from the inspiration he received after attending a concert by Flamenco virtuoso Paco De Lucía . Stevens (along with Harold Faltermeyer ) won a Grammy in 1987 for His Performance on the '' Top Gun '' Soundtrack and has worked with a host of other artists such as Michael Jackson , Michael Monroe , Thompson Twins , Joni Mitchell , Peter Criss , Steve Lukather , Ric Ocasek , Ben Watkins of Juno Reactor , Greg Bissonette , Pink , Robert Palmer , Jizzy Pearl , Terry Bozzio and Tony Levin (releasing two albums under the name Bozzio Levin Stevens ). After an extended hiatus, Stevens and Idol reunited in 1999 for a series of tours across the USA and Australia. This era included a recording captured for the VH1 show '' Storytellers '', which was subsequently released on CD and DVD. Stevens also appeared in the Billy Idol episode of VH1's '' Behind The Music ''. Such was the success of this renewed collaboration, in 2005, along with producer Keith Forsey , the duo released Billy Idol 's '' Devil's Playground '' album. This was the first album to feature the trio since 1986's '' Whiplash Smile ''. Also touring with Idol was keyboardist Derek Sherinian - Stevens played and co-wrote three songs on Sherinian's 2004 solo album "Mythology" . Stevens has an additional following in Japan tied to his appearances with Japanese rock singer Kyosuke Himuro , who is Stevens' junior by one year. Stevens was first involved with Himuro's big hit single "Native Stranger" in 1996, and appeared in this song's Music Video . Stevens participated in Himuro's Album " I・DE・A " in 1997 as a Guitarist , Songwriter and Arranger . After this the relationship of mutual trust between Stevens and Himuro deepened, and Himuro's music gradually became more like Western Hard Rock . Stevens has toured with Himuro, and many of his fans hope that Stevens will work again with Himuro. TRIVIA Steve Stevens was also briefly mentioned on the popular Japanese television show '' Iron Chef '' in episode IC1A25, "Sardine Battle." He was described as a guitarist from Los Angeles by the commentators when they were informed that they had a "special guest" in the audience. Steve Stevens song Power Of Suggestion, track #2 on Atomic Playboys was used for the intro sequence during the rolling of cast and credits of 1994's Ace Ventura Pet Detective. Steve Stevens is well known for his use of a Raygun on Rebel Yell. However this was created by an 80s-era Lexicon PCM-41, but he now uses a real toy raygun with a pitch bender and repeat changer on. However Steve also uses multiple other techniques to create these sounds when recording. Steve performed the "Top Gun Anthem" featured in the film "Top Gun". In the mid 80's Hamer Guitars (then based in Chcago) issued the Steve Stevens model I and model II shaped similarly to a Gibson Les Paul Jr. with a honduran mahogany body, set in neck, humbucker-single coil-single coil pick up configuration and a Floyd Rose tremolo system. In the late 80s, Washburn Guitars issued their Steve Stevens model which was based on a Stratocaster design, humbucker pick ups, Floyd Rose tremolo and bolt-on maple neck. ALBUMS Solo
With Billy Idol
As a member of Bozzio Levin Stevens
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OTHER RECORDINGS
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