Wielding a war-torn guitar with only three strings and keeping the beat on a homemade foot stomper, Seasick Steve rocked the world when he appeared on the Jools Holland show on New Years Eve in 2006.
"Seasick" Steve Wold performed his trademark song, Doghouse Boogie which tells his backstory of leaving home before the age of 14 and becoming a hobo.
Once the video hit Youtube, he became a worldwide sensation.
Writer, Matthew Wright claims to have uncovered a much different backstory to Steven Wold in his biography, Seasick Steve: Ramblin' Man. Among those claims are that Wold is really Steven Leach, a session musician who has performed in various acts over the years, including Shanti, a transcendental meditation band from 1972 and, most shockingly, as frontman for Crystal Grass, a French disco act from the mid-70s! Wright's research says Seasick Steve's hobo period may have happened, but was far more temporary than the blues musician previously claimed.
IS THIS THE REAL SEASICK STEVE?
Among the author's claims is that Seasick Steve is actually 10 years younger than he originally claimed and has been a session man in the music industry since the early 70's. Wright claims Steve has performed or worked with Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Modest Mouse and even spent time with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. ...And that's on top of the disco peroid when he briefly lived in France!
So was this whole act a fraud or just an exaggeration of Steve's actual past?
Sean O’Hagan noted in an Observer article, “The trajectory of his life since [1973] is hazy and, one suspects, he plays down the semi-settled years, sensing correctly that his mainly young audience prefer the myth to the reality.”
Seasick Steve realized the kids needed an old hero who didn't play slick music.
Hmm...Robert Zimmerman reinvented himself into Bob Dylan and he followed it up by bringing the goods. It appears Seasick Steve has done the same.
One peculiar observation on this whole story is the fact that Matthew Wright's book has been on the market since June, but the news is only breaking now, right as Seasick Steve releases his much awaited album, Keepin' The Horse Between Me and the Ground. The double record set features more of Steve's homemade music on two records, including a cover of John Hartford's "Gentle On My Mind."
Fan response to the book has been mostly negative, with reviewers unhappy that Wright didn't bother to interview old bandmates, an ex-wife or other people in the industry. Apparently, Wright relies mostly on newspaper clippings as his sources.
To get even more info on these revelations, check out The Guardian's article.
Personally, I'm going to buy the new album and play it loud. Also, I may have to go record shopping to find the Crystal Grass and Shanti albums so I can complete my collection.
...because sometimes a legend is more powerful than the truth.
-Shane Speal, "King of the Cigar Box Guitar"
Tags:
Well written for sure
I'll take legend any day! Plus, even if the book is correct that's a powerful story and most of us wouldn't have believed it if Steve had told it! Now I gotta go hop a train.
Seasick Steve is an entertainer. I am entertained. I don't care how we arrived at this winning relationship; I'm just happy to be entertained by the entertainer.
Alice Cooper has a very good handicap at golf playing
Agreed, Erasmo Coco.
Bob Dylan took a stage name. He didn't claim to be an orphaned protestant, rescued from nomadic moors after his missionary group was ravaged by plague.
I wouldn't be bothered at all if Disco Steve had reinvented his STAGE persona and added the sobriquet "Seasick".
I like his music, but I bought his music because I was supporting an old guy who finally made it after years of difficult life.
If the story proves true, Seasick Steve is just the Lance Armstrong of the music biz.
Well you can tell by the way I use my walk I'm a bluesman no time to talk
Music loud from my three string crown, it's been kicked around to make it look worn.
Well it's alright, it's ok, disco was the other day.
Try to understand, if you can, a C B G sits in my hand.
Baby I'm a rocker and a blues riff plucker and I'm staying alive, saying a lie
Money I've been taking and now the story's breaking but I'm staying alive, saying a lie
Ha ha ha ha staying alive, saying a lie
Ha ha ha ha saying a lie...
Just a bit of fun. I like his music, who cares what he was doing in the 70-s 80's etc.
Hmm...I want to believe the Seasick Steve story, so it's a little disappointing if true. His music stands on its own as rootsy and authentic without the hobo mythology.
The story of a guy who was grinding it in the music industry for decades before deciding to go for broke and strip it down to 3 strings and a stomp box is probably more interesting actually.
What an inspiring story, I think I'll re-invent myself into a success. I got stories and love Sea Sick Steve..
Well.....
First, my opinion is that it matters not one hair on a rodents hind end.
But this isn't the first time his stories have been challenged on his hobo and prison stories, including by some who apparently might have some knowledge of the facts.
But yeah, I don't care. And I kind of assumed it was widely considered that it was a bit. A character. Part of his act ya know? He has been known to get a little agitated about it when challenged on it though.
I can tell you one thing I do know, he has a history of owning and driving some finer cars than would fit his story. And having seen the episode of Fifth gear where he does a challenge lap on a road course...... Man can drive too!
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray May 7. 11 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 5. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!