Leigh Stephens

Leigh Stephens is an American guitarist and songwriter best known for being former lead guitarist of the San Francisco psychedelic rock group Blue Cheer.

Leigh Stephens
GenresHeavy metal, acid rock, garage rock, hard rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, guitarist
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1967–present
Associated actsBlue Cheer
Silver Metre
Pilot

Blue Cheer
Main article: Blue Cheer

Leigh Stephens has recorded two albums with the band, Vincebus Eruptum and Outsideinside. He has claimed to have been the only member of the band who did not use drugs.[1] His replacement as Blue Cheer's lead guitarist was Randy Holden.

After Blue Cheer

After recording a solo album, Red Weather, Leigh Stephens went on to form Silver Metre in 1969, with Micky Waller (drummer), who had just been fired from the Jeff Beck Group; other members of the band were Pete Sears and Jack Reynolds (singer), recorded one album at Trident Studios in London, England, released on the National General Records,[2] produced by their manager, FM rock radio pioneer Tom Donahue.

Leigh Stephens also formed another band in 1971 called Pilot. Pilot only produced one album in 1972 that is self-titled. The members were Bruce Stephens (vocals, keyboards and guitar), Leigh Stephens (electric guitar), Martin Quittenton (acoustic guitar), Neville Whitehead (bass) and Mick Waller (drums).

His 1971 album, And a Cast of Thousands featured among other musicians, his fellow band members from the above-mentioned band, together with the power trio Ashton, Gardner and Dyke, together with the two sax players from If, Dave Quincey, Dick Morrissey, and Jethro Tull bassist, Glenn Cornick.[3]

While still involved in the music scene in the early 1990s, Stephens also worked as a graphic artist and studio photographer. He designed automotive illustrations for the advertising and production of a mail order catalog company, ASAP, in Carson City, Nevada.

Recognition

He was ranked number 98 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the Top 100 Guitarists.[4]

Discography

With Blue Cheer

Albums

Live

  • Live & Unreleased, Vol. 1: '68/'74 (1996; Captain Trip Records)
  • Live & Unreleased, Vol. 2: Live at San Jose Civic Centre, 1968 & More (1998; Captain Trip Records)

Singles

  • "Summertime Blues" b/w "Out Of Focus" (From the album Vincebus Eruptum)
  • "Just a Little Bit" b/w "Gypsy Ball"
  • "Feathers From Your Tree" b/w "Sun Cycle" (From the album Outsideinside)
  • "The Hunter" b/w "Come And Get It" (From the album Outsideinside)

With Silver Metre

Albums

  • Silver Metre (1969)

Singles

  • "Superstar" b/w "Now They've Found Me"

With Pilot

Albums

  • Pilot (1972)

Singles

  • "Rider" (Promo, Stereo/Mono)

Solo

Albums

  • Red Weather (1969, Philips)
  • ...and a Cast of Thousands (1971, Charisma)
  • Chronic With a K - Ride The Thunder (1999, Chronicorp)
  • High Strung Low Key (2004, Self-Released)
  • A Rocket Down Falcon Street (2013, Self-Released)

Singles

  • "Saki Zwadoo" b/w "Red Weather"

References
  1. "Leigh Stephens | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  2. Eyries, Patrice, David Edwards and Mike Callahan. (October 21, 2005). National General Album Discography. Both Sides Now Publications. Accessed on May 1, 2014.
  3. "Cast of Thousands - Leigh Stephens | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  4. Fricke, David (December 3, 2010). "100 Greatest Guitarists: David Fricke's Picks". Rolling Stone.
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