IIn 1982, a mannequin company I did freelance work for in London asked if I’d go to New York for a few weeks to sort out an order that was running behind, and I happily agreed.
Toward the end of my stay, after working flat out I went to the Spring St bar one night on my way back to the hotel.
A very friendly bartender and I got into a conversation about music, which I didnt know then was going to change my entire life.
In those days I ran a stall in Kensington Market, just around the corner from Johnson’s, often frequented by the likes of The Stray Cats etc, so Steve’s was a style I related to, and it was no surprise to hear he was in a band. Only that they were playing later if I wanted to stick around.
Of course I did, impressed the band did a few Gram Parson’s covers among their own songs and I had a great night, went back to my hotel and flew back to London a few days later.
I must’ve impressed the New York company as back in London they offered me a job, work permit and shipment of my stuff if I would relocate to NY and train people to paint mannequins.
I was at a bit of a crossroads in London anyhow, as I was living in a dump and Kensington Mkt were about to double the rents, so although daunting that I knew no one In NY, felt I had not much to lose and decided to go.
What could go wrong?
The deal was I got 3 weeks in a cheap hotel, in which I would find an apt, and get my stuff out of storage, so in 1983 I moved to NY.
After about the 2nd week, in which I had seen various ‘apts’ that defied belief in their smallness, squalidness and lack of things like bath or kitchen, (and which mostly I still couldn’t afford anyhow) I was walking down 2nd avenue feeling very despondant - panicky even.
“Hey!” I heard someone say – “You’re back!`”
What were the chances?
Steve listened to my news and despair with an immediate reassuring response – “Dont worry – come meet my Landlord -he'll get you somewhere!”
And thats how I ended up living on Ludlow St. Entirely down to a chance meeting and Steve’s endless generosity, and skill of making things happen.
Although I knew the people at work by then, we hadnt much in common and they were full of stories of ‘New York dangers. ” They never got tired of horror stories.
So I was immediately included in Steve’s endless circle of friends, and went from not knowing a soul to knowing everyone in the street and beyond. It was such a vibrant neighbourhood, people renting shopfronts for small creative businesses, small restaurants and even the local launderette was a social space. There were so many musical outings, seeing Beat Rodeo and many other bands in what must’ve been one of the best periods live in NY. I have never lived anywhere like it. Steve always knew what was on and where to go - and how to get in.
One of the best memories is of a road trip to New Orleans and back, where we read books out loud to make up for the lack of radio or player, and stopped at various points of musical history. Looking back I just have no idea how he managed to be a friend to so many people, but he seemed to have time for everyone. He treated people like they all had talents and something to contribute, and above all was a fan. He loved and lived for music.
I made so many great friends, but when my job went inevitably south four years later, and I had no green card so had to return to the UK, it was Steve who saw me off, made me a tape for the journey. He was like my brother, and it was Steve I was going to miss the most, and have ever since.
We kept in touch and had visits- maybe not as often as I’d hoped but no matter how long in between it was always like he was just around the corner and we just hadn’t seen each other for a week or two.
When he came over for the first visit he was desperate to go on Beatles tour, (having no real idea how far away Liverpool was fromLondon.
So we did, a cheesy tourist affair we laughed about, went on the ferry and sang the song, and Steve loved it all
All the sorrows and joys of the intervening years – In the time I was back Steve had had a beautifull daughter he adored, who I never really met, but is now grown up with children of her own. Then there was Kendal the dog.
Where did all the time go?
We spoke sometimes on zoom and caught up with our various life changes, always with Steve's wit and humour about whatever was going on, he was always doing something and there was nothing we couldnt talk about.
The last time we spoke he had finished initial treatment, looked well, sounded optimistic and we spoke about planning a long overdue trip. Then I saw the post from Brandy just a few weeks later about hospice care and my heart broke for them. I am just so glad Steve had a good person by his side and left this world in love.
I wish everyone could have a Steve in their lives. I will never have a friend like him and often wonder how different things would have been if it wasn’t for that chance meeting. New York may have been a totally different place for me, and my story could so easily have been one of woe and poor decision. I hope I told him how he literally changed my life.
He really made the world a better place, and my New York will always have Steve in it.
And I will always miss that time, that place, and most of all - Steve.