Rodney Stepp
Rodney Stepp (born September 29, 1952) is an American keyboardist, producer, and jazz, R&B, and soul performer.[1] During the 1970s, he performed keyboards with The Spinners as a member of their backing band.
Biography[edit]
Early life[edit]
In the 1960s, Stepp attended and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. While there, he formed his first group, The Diplomatics (dba The Diplomats), with Miles "Butch" Loyd. The Diplomatics released one 45 on Herb Miller's LAMP imprint, "Hum Bug", and later went on to record for the Knaptown label under the name Jazzie Cazzie and The Seven Sounds.
The Spinners[edit]
In the 1970s, Stepp played as keyboardist for the backing band of The Spinners,[1] and occasionally conducted the orchestra and rhythm section for the group, performing across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. Stepp appears in Muhammad Ali's full-length documentary, When We Were Kings, in clips of the Rumble In The Jungle in Zaire, where The Spinners performed.[2] Stepp also appears on The Spinners: Live album recorded at the Latin Casino, performing an organ solo on the track "Mighty Love". During this time, Stepp appeared on multiple TV shows with the Spinners, including an NBC Special hosted by David Nelson, and the live Grammy Awards broadcast in 1976 and 1977. He later re-joined the group when they opened for Jay Leno at Caesars Palace, in October 1999, and again in 2004 at The Snake Pit Ball (Indy 500) in Indianapolis.
Later career[edit]
After ending his tenure with The Spinners, Stepp returned to Indianapolis to lead a new band, Rapture. In 1978, Rapture auditioned for a production deal on the newly revived American Recording Company, and left their families and jobs behind to pursue a career in California. However, within six months, the band's projects were shelved, and the group members returned to Indianapolis, performing for another two years before disbanding.
After Rapture, Stepp began creating solo material, and in 1984 had a dance hit entitled "Break Out" on the Chique record label. In the same year, he also established his own recording studio and music production house, Brooks Street Music (now Rodney Stepp Music Productions), named after the street in Indianapolis where he grew up. In the 1990s, Stepp moved into corporate music, and Brooks Street Music became a production house providing music for radio jingles, TV advertisements, film, and corporate presentations.
At the end of 1999, Stepp assembled four session musicians to form Rodney Stepp & BSB. The group's debut album, Steppin' Out, received airplay on smooth jazz format stations.
In July 2005, Stepp received the United States Congressional Record Award, as well as the Distinguished Citizens Award from the Mayor of Indianapolis, Bart Peterson and the Distinguished Hoosier Award from Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.
Discography[edit]
| Song/Album | Artist | Label | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starts with a Dream | Erica Edmonds | Higher Power Records | Producer, Writer, Musician |
| Steppin' Out | Rodney Stepp & BSB | BSM Records | Artist, Producer, Writer |
| Spinners Live Album | The SPINNERS | Atlantic Records | Musician, Hammond B3 Organ Solo on "Mighty Love" |
| We're On Our Way LP | The Pentecostal Ambassadors | Tyscot Records | Musician |
| Breakout / Ride - 12" Single | Rodney Stepp | Chique Records | Artist, Producer, Writer |
| Say You Believe - Single | Deliverance | Tyscot Records | Producer, Arranger, Musician |
| I Destroyed Your Love | Klas | Circle City Records | Co-Producer, Musician |
| Fret Not | Sharon Johnson | Tyscot Records | Producer, Musician |
| Hum Bug Parts 1 & 2 | The Diplomatics | Lamp Records | Artist, Producer, Writer |
| Young Girl - Single | Jazzie Cazzie & The 8 Sounds | Knaptown Records | Artist, Producer, Writer |
| To Get Over You | Da'ron | Chi-Sound Records | Writer, Musician, Co-Producer |
| Only Jesus - Single | Deliverance | Tyscot Records | Producer, Arranger, Musician |
| Soul City - Single | Jazzie Cazzie & The 8 Sounds | Knaptown Records | Artist, Producer, Writer |
| Making Love With You - 12" Single | Ultra High Frequency | Chique Records | Producer, Musician |
| Sideline - 12" Single | Ultra High Frequency | Chique Records | Producer, Musician |
| Bubble Gum Rappers - 12" Single | Tribulation | Chique Records | Co-Producer, Musician |
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lindquist, David. "'Miracle patient': Flying Toasters' Rodney Stepp talks fight with coronavirus". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
- ↑ http://blogs.indystar.com/sounds/2010/12/02/see-rodney-stepp-play-zaire-in-1974/[bare URL]
- Know Your Entertainers: http://www.rodneystepp.com/media_press/media-1986-10-18.pdf
- Eternal Funk - review of "Soul and Funk: The Naptown Sound": http://maryleepappas.blogspot.com/2005/04/eternal-funk-review-of-soul-and-funk.html
- Former Keyboardist for R&B legends The Spinners Receives Congressional Award Among Many Honors: http://www.rodneystepp.com/media_press/press-2005-07-28.pdf
- See Rodney Stepp Play Zaire in 1974: http://blogs.indystar.com/sounds/2010/12/02/see-rodney-stepp-play-zaire-in-1974/
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