Steve Walwyn

Steve Walwyn
Steve Walwyn in Barcelona 2009
Background information
Birth name	Stephen Martin Walwyn
Born	(1956-06-08) 8 June 1956 (age 60) Southam, Warwickshire, England
Genres	Blues rock, R&B
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, slide guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, piano, harmonica
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Grand, Avatar
Associated acts	Dr. Feelgood, Steve Marriott with the DTs, Eddie and the Hot Rods, The Roger Chapman Band, The Big Town Playboys

Stephen Martin "Steve" Walwyn (born 8 June 1956 in Southam, Warwickshire) is a British rhythm and blues guitarist, best known for his playing with Dr. Feelgood, but who has also played with Eddie and the Hot Rods, Steve Marriott and the DTs. The Roger Chapman Band, the Big Town Playboys and his own band Steve Walwyn and Friends.

Walwyn states his inspiration to become a guitarist was Rory Gallagher's album Live in Europe. Although he did not start to learn to play the guitar until he was 17, he formed his first band, 'Hands Off', whilst still at school. Upon leaving school he worked for the Civil Service for four years, whilst still playing with 'Hands Off'.

In 1978 he became a professional musician, when he was asked to join a band performing under 2 different names. Cupid's Inspiration were a pop-act, who had had a No 4 single with "Yesterday has Gone" and a No 33 with "My World", both in 1968, but subsequent records had failed, and they were tired of the "one hit wonder" tag. The band had moved to Leamington Spa, and were also writing their own rock songs, which they performed as '4 Wheel Drive', a name they soon changed to 'Chevy'. As 'Chevy' they toured supporting bands such as Alvin Lee, Hawkwind and Gillan. As well as recording one of their two BBC In Concert Programmes, whilst Walwyn was a member, Chevy also issued three singles: "Too much loving"/"See the light", "The Taker"/"Life on the run" and "Just another day"/"Rock on" and one album The Taker in September 1980. The album received good critical reviews, but did not sell well.

In 1982, Walwyn briefly joined The Mosquitos, with Brian Helicopter, and recorded their only single, "Somethin' Outta Nothin'", before joining Leicester band The DTs. Whilst with the DTs Walwyn appeared on three albums, The DTs, Shakin' and Stirred and Messing with the Blues. Steve Marriott, formerly of the Small Faces and Humble Pie, saw The DTs in 1987, and was so impressed he asked them to join him, forming the band Steve Marriott with the DTs, who also performed as the Steve Marriott Band, until Marriott left to rejoin Peter Frampton in the US in 1989.