Steve Rothery
Encyclopedia
Steve Rothery is the guitarist of the English
rock
band Marillion
. He was born in Brampton, South Yorkshire, England
. From the age of six he lived in Whitby, North Yorkshire.
. Rothery is the only member of Marillion's founding lineup who remains in the band to this day. As well as work with Marillion, he started a solo project under the name The Wishing Tree
(with Hannah Stobart providing vocals), and released 2 albums called Carnival of Souls
and Ostara.
's David Gilmour
and Camel
's Andrew Latimer
. In a 2001 interview with Total Guitar
Magazine, Rothery named Jeff Beck
and Larry Carlton
as his favourite guitarists. Like Gilmour, Rothery is very tonal and is considerate of every note, as opposed to extreme speed and other forms of technical wizardry. Other trademarks that recur throughout his career include clean picking arpeggios using digital delays and open voicings. Rothery has also stated that Joni Mitchell
was another influence on his style.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
. He was born in Brampton, South Yorkshire, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. From the age of six he lived in Whitby, North Yorkshire.
Biography
Rothery began to play the guitar at the age of 15. In 1979, he saw an ad in the music press for a band called Silmarillion that needed a guitarist. He auditioned successfully for the band (19 August 1979). From this point he concentrated more on melody, composition and mood, and less on his technique. Later, Silmarillion shortened its name to MarillionMarillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
. Rothery is the only member of Marillion's founding lineup who remains in the band to this day. As well as work with Marillion, he started a solo project under the name The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree is an acoustic music project by Marillion's guitarist Steve Rothery and British vocalist Hannah Stobart. Their debut album, Carnival of Souls, was released in 1996 and a second album, Ostara, was released 23 March 2009.-History:...
(with Hannah Stobart providing vocals), and released 2 albums called Carnival of Souls
Carnival of Souls (The Wishing Tree album)
Carnival of Souls is the title of the first album by The Wishing Tree, a project by Marillion's guitarist Steve Rothery and singer Hannah Stobart. It was originally released in 1996 on Steve Rothery's short-lived label Dorian Music and was re-released in 2001 on Marillion's label Racket Records...
and Ostara.
Style
Rothery is regarded by many fans of the band as providing their defining sound - with his signature clean toned, high-sustain Stratocaster soloing. His style of playing is heavily influenced by that of Pink FloydPink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
and Camel
Camel (band)
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. An important group in the Canterbury scene, they have been releasing studio and live recordings steadily, with considerable success, since their formation.-1970s:...
's Andrew Latimer
Andrew Latimer
Andrew Latimer is an English musician and one of the original members of the progressive rock band Camel. He is mainly a guitarist and singer, but also a flautist and keyboardist....
. In a 2001 interview with Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Total Guitar is a monthly magazine based in the United Kingdom. The magazine is the best selling guitar magazine in Europe.The magazine is owned by Future Publishing, who publish many other magazines ranging from drums and video games to mountain bikes and knitting magazines.Total Guitar regularly...
Magazine, Rothery named Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
and Larry Carlton
Larry Carlton
Larry Carlton is an American jazz, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, pop, and rock guitarist and singer. He has divided his recording time between solo recordings and session appearances with various well-known bands...
as his favourite guitarists. Like Gilmour, Rothery is very tonal and is considerate of every note, as opposed to extreme speed and other forms of technical wizardry. Other trademarks that recur throughout his career include clean picking arpeggios using digital delays and open voicings. Rothery has also stated that Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
was another influence on his style.
Equipment
- Laney Amplification
- Laney VC50 & TT50 Heads
- Laney 4x12 cabinet
- Laney Lionheart L20
- Groove Tubes Dual 75 power amp
- Groove Tubes Trio valve pre-amp
- Roland Jazz Chorus 120 Amp
- TC Electronic 2290 effects processor
- Ground Control Pro MIDI foot controller
- Lexicon MPX G2 effects processor
- Roland GP16 effects processor
- Adrena-Linn effects processor
- Analogman distortion pedal (modded Boss DS-1)
- Xotic AC Booster
- Xotic AC +
- Eventide Timefactor
- Rockman sustainer/stereo chorus & delay
- Sound Sculpture switchblade 16 controller
- Alesis quadraverb effects processor
- Ebtech hum eliminator
- Sennheiser wireless system
- Hughes and Kettner Rotosphere
- Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah
- Ernie Ball volume pedal
- Ernie Ball super slinky 9-42 strings
- Jack Dent Custom Guitars- Signature SR Model
- Jack Dent Custom Guitars- Celeste Model ( Acoustic/Electric Hybrid)
- Jack Dent Custom Guitars- Telecaster
- Jack Dent Custom Guitars- Stratocaster
- Blade RH4 Classic Stratocaster
- Blade Delta Telecaster
- Blade Texas Standard Stratocaster
- Steinberger Custom made double neck 12/6
- Takamine 12 string acoustic
- Takamine Santa Fe 6 string acoustic
- Squier Stratocaster
- Khaler Pro Tremolo System
- Lindy Fralin Pickups
With Marillion
Steve Rothery appears on every Marillion release since their 1982 debut single; see Marillion discographyMarillion discography
This is the complete discography of the neo-progressive rock band Marillion. Over the years they have released 16 studio albums, 5 live albums and 35 singles.-Studio albums:-Singles:...
With The Wishing Tree
- Carnival of SoulsCarnival of Souls (The Wishing Tree album)Carnival of Souls is the title of the first album by The Wishing Tree, a project by Marillion's guitarist Steve Rothery and singer Hannah Stobart. It was originally released in 1996 on Steve Rothery's short-lived label Dorian Music and was re-released in 2001 on Marillion's label Racket Records...
(1996) - OstaraOstara (The Wishing Tree album)Ostara is the title of the second album by The Wishing Tree, a project by Marillion's guitarist Steve Rothery and singer Hannah Stobart. The album was produced and engineered by Rothery and mixed by Michael Hunter, who also produced the two most recent Marillion albums. Hunter also contributed...
(2009)
Guest appearances
- JadisJadisJadis is a U.K. neo-progressive rock group. They play guitar-driven rock with the use of synthesizers to add depth and atmosphere, and an emphasis on melody. They are currently signed to InsideOut Music....
- Jadis (1989, production) - Arrakeen - Patchwork (1990, guitar)
- Rock Against Repatriation - "SailingSailing (Rod Stewart song)"Sailing" is a song written by Gavin Sutherland and recorded by The Sutherland Bros. Band . Released in June 1972, it can be found on their album 'Lifeboat' released in the same year....
" (1990, guitar) - EnchantEnchant (band)Enchant is an American neo-progressive rock band, formed in 1989. Their music is characterized by ambitious lyrics and melodies along with harmonic experimentation.-History:...
- A Blueprint of the WorldA Blueprint of the WorldA Blueprint of the World is the debut album of the neo-progressive rock band Enchant.- Track listing :# "The Thirst" – 6:16# "Catharsis" – 5:53# "Oasis" – 8:11...
(1994, production, guitar) - John WesleyJohn Wesley (guitarist)John Wesley is an American singer, songwriter and guitar player. John Wesley's professional music career began in the early 1980s in the Tampa, Florida area where he founded 1991 Southwestern Music Conference's showcase act Autodrive along with drummer/producer Mark Prator...
- Under the Red and White Sky (1994, guitar) - ArenaArena (band)Arena are a British neo-progressive rock band founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan and Mick Pointer. Most of the band's lyrics are written by Nolan, though Pointer contributed lyrics to Sirens and other tracks on the first two albums....
- Crying for Help, The Cry (1994, guitar) - Mr. So and So - The Overlap (1998, production, guitar)
- John WesleyJohn Wesley (guitarist)John Wesley is an American singer, songwriter and guitar player. John Wesley's professional music career began in the early 1980s in the Tampa, Florida area where he founded 1991 Southwestern Music Conference's showcase act Autodrive along with drummer/producer Mark Prator...
- The Emperor Falls (1999, guitar) - Ian MosleyIan MosleyIan F. Mosley is a drummer in the progressive rock band, Marillion.Mosley joined the band in 1984 after a long search for a replacement of Mick Pointer, who had been left the band in 1983. Mosley had previously, among others, played with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, both on two of his...
& Ben CastleBen CastleBen Castle is a British jazz musician, the son of the late television actor and entertainer Roy Castle . He placed first in the Jazz category of the 2003 International Songwriting Competition with his song "The Heckler"....
- Postmankind (2001, guitar) - The Reasoning - Awakening (2007, guitar)
- GazpachoGazpacho (band)Gazpacho are an Art rock band from Oslo, Norway.The original core band of Jan-Henrik Ohme , Jon-Arne Vilbo and Thomas Andersen started making music together in 1996 and the band has since expanded with Mikael Krømer , Lars Erik Asp and Kristian Torp .Gazpacho's music has been described by one...
- Firebird (2005, guitar) - Swallow the SunSwallow the SunSwallow the Sun is a Finnish melodic death / doom metal band.- Biography :Swallow the Sun was formed in early 2000 by Juha Raivio, joined soon by Pasi Pasanen came along . They rehearsed a couple of songs, one of them being "Through Her Silvery Body" which would end up on their first demo,Out of...
- Servant of Sorrow (from the album New Moon) (2009, guitar) - Edison's Children - In The Last Waking Moments (2011, guitar)