Steve Zodiac
Encyclopedia
Steve Zodiac is a rock
guitar
ist and prolific songwriter
, who gained recognition in the early 1980s as frontman of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
band Vardis
.
He is credited as writer of classic heavy metal tunes "If I Were King", "Lets Go", and "100mph"; was voted one of the top 15 guitarists of the 1980s and was famed for his searing Fender Telecaster
sound. He also experimented with bagpipes
on the track "Police Patrol" from the 1982 album Quo Vardis, worked with Jools Holland
(Squeeze), Andy Bown (Status Quo & Pink Floyd
), Ron Asprey, Terry Horbury (Dirty Tricks) and Judd Lander. Steve is thought to have taken his last name from either Sylvia and Gerry Anderson's astronaut in 1960s television show Fireball XL5
, or his Selmer Zodiac 100-watt amplifier, which had to be used at full volume to get the distortion and sustain which was fundamental to his sound.
Steve Zodiac’s work contributed greatly to modern heavy metal and inspired many heavy metal bands of today. He is directly quoted by giants like Metallica
as a heavy influence. He prematurely quit Vardis in the mid 1980s (which resulted in outcry amongst rock n' roll fans across Britain), due to mounting tensions between himself and several people within the music industry. He went to work extensively in sound engineering and theater, and is now thought to be living in London with his wife and children.
Original Vardis records are rare and are valued in most record collector's books and guides. An original copy of "100mph" including the enclosed tour guide and poster has an estimated value of approximately £500 ($940).
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...
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist and prolific songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, who gained recognition in the early 1980s as frontman of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
band Vardis
Vardis
Vardis were an influential three-piece heavy metal band from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who enjoyed hits between 1978 and 1986.They formed a prominent part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, then prevalent in the United Kingdom. They consisted of frontman Steve Zodiac on guitar and lead...
.
He is credited as writer of classic heavy metal tunes "If I Were King", "Lets Go", and "100mph"; was voted one of the top 15 guitarists of the 1980s and was famed for his searing Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
sound. He also experimented with bagpipes
Bagpipes
Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes of many different types come from...
on the track "Police Patrol" from the 1982 album Quo Vardis, worked with Jools Holland
Jools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
(Squeeze), Andy Bown (Status Quo & Pink Floyd
Pink 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...
), Ron Asprey, Terry Horbury (Dirty Tricks) and Judd Lander. Steve is thought to have taken his last name from either Sylvia and Gerry Anderson's astronaut in 1960s television show Fireball XL5
Fireball XL5
Fireball XL5 is a science fiction-themed children's television show following the missions of spaceship Fireball XL5, commanded by Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol...
, or his Selmer Zodiac 100-watt amplifier, which had to be used at full volume to get the distortion and sustain which was fundamental to his sound.
Steve Zodiac’s work contributed greatly to modern heavy metal and inspired many heavy metal bands of today. He is directly quoted by giants like Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
as a heavy influence. He prematurely quit Vardis in the mid 1980s (which resulted in outcry amongst rock n' roll fans across Britain), due to mounting tensions between himself and several people within the music industry. He went to work extensively in sound engineering and theater, and is now thought to be living in London with his wife and children.
Original Vardis records are rare and are valued in most record collector's books and guides. An original copy of "100mph" including the enclosed tour guide and poster has an estimated value of approximately £500 ($940).