Richard Blanshard wanted to share his thoughts on the passing of Steve Byrd. Richard played saxophone in Kim’s band alongside Steve for years during the Eighties.
Steve Byrd, what a shock to hear this news.
We had been in contact just recently and he was up against some stuff but always looking on the bright side.
Cut back to my audition to join Kim’s band and I was welcomed warmly. In Steve I discovered a highly talented musician, a warm friendly lad from Sheffield. I know the period working with Kim Steve regarded as his best days. We travelled together doing TV promos and tours and we worked hard and had such great fun and we were all proud to have Kim as our boss. He had a wicked sense of humour and when Steve began to write with Kim they produced magical material.
I was lucky to play on Steve ‘s first venture into library music. A rock and roll album which launched a successful career for him providing tracks for commercials and films and we had great fun making it. Based on that success Steve set up a label with the intention of helping new talent and some good friends like Sabrina. Steve wanted to give people a chance that he had been given.
Sadly because of the state of the industry it did not fly despite of his hard work and commitment and it was a disappointment for him. But his love of music never faded and he recorded amazing library albums on which he performed all styles from Flamenco to Arabic and even an album that featured Marty Wilde which he was very proud of.
We will all miss his spirit, his talent, his humour, enthusiasm and his friendship.
Richard