Losing One Voice to Find Another: Remembering Stephen Colyer

A creative musician who reached millions of people despite his setbacks

Of all the unsung heroes in the music industry, British singer-songwriter Stephen Colyer (1949-2023) had the voice to stand out from the crowd—even after he lost his voice.

Born in London into a family of greengrocers, Steve learned a work ethic that stood him as he became a professional musician while still a teenager. Managers and promoters like his style and, in 1966, placed Steve as a solo act on package tours with The Who and The Jeff Beck Group.

Then, when Graham Nash famously left The Hollies in 1968, Steve was short-listed to replace Nash (Steve was #2 out of 2000 auditioners, but the gig went to Terry Sylvester).

Concurrently, Steve formed a recording and songwriting partnership with Chris Andrews (Fleur de Lys, Roger Daltrey, Davy Jones) and Pete Swettenham (Cockney Rebel, Grapefruit—part of the Apple Records stable). Their collaborative song “My Name is Love” was an international hit for The Casuals in 1970.

They scored again in 1972 when the Scottish band Silk recorded their song “Hey Mary.”

Beginning in 1969, Steve branched into management and promotion of major acts (Darts, Hot Chocolate, New Seekers, Tremeloes) while still issuing periodic solo recordings and hit collaborations with David Essex—including the #1 UK hit “Gonna Make You a Star” (1974).

By 1975, Steve had successfully promoted more than 300 hit singles in the UK and foreign markets, leading to phenomenal revenue for record labels and making Steve quite popular in the industry. He also co-founded Magnet Records and helped launched the careers of glam rocker Alvin Stardust and songwriters Peter Sarstedt (“Where Do You Go To My Lovely?”) and Peter Waterman, later of the mega-hit songwriting team of Stock-Aitken-Waterman.

Stage and studio beckoned Steve back to performing. Collaborating with Chris Andrews, David Essex, and Pete Swettenham, Steve issued a series of singles on Polydor between 1975-76, with his update on “Hey Mary” getting the most attention.

He received significant media splash in print and on radio and TV as well as concerts—including an appearance at Earl’s Court before an audience of 18,000. Not long after, Steve changed gears and took courses at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, went to work for London Weekend Television, and continued to manage and promote artists into the new millennium. Then the unthinkable happened.

In November 2004, he was diagnosed with T1 cancer of the larynx. A series of operations was followed by intense courses of radiotherapy. These treatments dominated the whole of 2005-6, and it wasn’t until 2010 that he received the “all clear,” but his voice was ruined. With his entire working life revolving around communication through talking and singing, he believed that his days of creativity were over, but God had other ideas. Steve began working on the kind of project that he never dreamed of attempting and was amazed as it manifested itself very swiftly as The Fruit & Veg Kids.

Rhymes, stories, illustrations, and research on children’s health and obesity led to the first of a series of books and songs for the children’s “edu-tainment” market, and it put Steve back into the songwriting arena. He began with 12 well-received songs including “Give Me Five,” “We Can Change the World” and the fun hit “The Banana Shuffle.” It wasn’t long before Steve’s newfound “voice” was heard in the global effort to combat childhood obesity in developed countries. Before Steve’s passing in 2023, he created eight books with songbooks, and there were negotiations to produce animated TV shows geared for children, motivating them to eat right, exercise, and how to feel good in their bodies. Here’s a link to Steve’s mission statement: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-fruit-veg-kids

Considering the oily reputation of the music industry, Steve came through as the rare exception—an honest, focused, straight-shooter. Chris Andrews wrote, “Steve was a very spiritual man. His spiritual beliefs came more and more to the fore over the years, and they were a great source of strength for him through his battles with illness. Our musical collaborations from the past bonded a friendship that manifested in regular phone conversations over the years. Even when he was in poor health his positive attitude, strength, and beliefs were an inspiration. I'll miss those conversions and I'll miss his loyal friendship.”

Steve wore many hats and wore them well, and he set an example of creativity. Despite being robbed of his physical voice, his heart and mind found another voice that addressed real problems, and his voice will continue long after he left his mortal coil.

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