A native of
Manchester, Steve Bolton played rhythm guitar with The Dominators, The Phantom 4, Modrox from 1963, and lead guitar in Puzzle from 1966, Jimmy Powell and The Dimensions, The Dimensions. In 1971 he was recruited into the band
Atomic Rooster, part of a new line-up for a tour supporting the band's third album
In Hearing of Atomic Rooster and their No. 4 charting single "The Devil's Answer". The tour was successful, and included a charity gig where the band supported
The Who. The band was also recording their fourth LP
Made in England which was released in 1972 with a more funky sound replacing their original progressive rock leanings. Bolton also appeared on ''
Devil's Answer: Live on the BBC
released in 1998, and on the release of In Satan's Name: The Definitive Collection''. Bolton left Atomic Rooster at the end of 1972 and joined the band Headstone, appearing on their albums
Bad Habits in 1974 and
Headstone in 1975. After leaving Headstone, he played with 20th Century and then continued working as a musician, recording and touring with a number of different artists. In 1982, he joined the band Vampire Bats, also in the 1980s he was a member of
Paul Young band The Royal Family and played on some of his albums including
No Parlez, in 1984 he played with K4, and in 1988 Richard Strange and the Engine Room. In 1989 Bolton went on tour with The Who, playing lead guitar as one of twelve supporting musicians on the band's 25th Anniversary tour. A performance of the rock opera
Tommy at Los Angeles'
Universal Amphitheatre, including special guests
Elton John,
Billy Idol,
Phil Collins,
Patti LaBelle and
Steve Winwood, was broadcast on television and later released as a video. In the 1990s Bolton formed his own band 6Foot3 with Jim Kimberley (drums) and brother Bob Kimberley (bass) as well as session work/tours with artists including
Belinda Carlisle,
William Sheller and
Scott Walker. He also performed on several tracks for the album 'Water Under the Bridge' by
Peter Marsh, notably New Man. In July 2016, Steve played in a
reformed line-up of Atomic Rooster with vocalist Pete French. Currently has his own original trio Dead Man's Corner. He is happily married to his second wife Louise. ==Discography==