UK Decay

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Official: Abbo, judge on BBC2’s ‘Classical Star’

Steve 'Abbo' Abbott

" Steve Abbott started his music career at 16 whilst at 6th-form college as lead singer/guitarist in an experimental punk band with which he toured the world and released two albums and various singles that topped the independent record charts on both sides of the Atlantic. He is embarrassingly credited with coining the term 'Goth'.



Retiring at 21, Steve then put his efforts into learning classical guitar and starting an independent record label Big Cat (UK) Records on the Government's Enterprise Allowance Scheme and a management company, Bedlam Managment Ltd. He worked with artists as diverse as Jeff Buckley, Mercury Rev, John Tavener, EMF, Carter (USM), Heather Nova, the Westminster Abbey Choir, and was associated with a number of groundbreaking experimental recordings by the likes of KG Heino, Paul Schutze, EAR, and Pauline Oliveros.


As an independent producer he was given an imprint 'Arc of light' by Sony Classical, recording many successful choral recordings with artists including Emma Kirkby, Ian Bostridge, James Bowman, and the Westminster Abbey Choir. One of these, a Purcell based programme 'Music for Queen Mary' was Grammy nominated and another, John Tavener's 'Innocence', became one of the best selling classical CDs of all time. Steve's involvement with the Westminster Abbey Choir included personally introducing Elton John into the music programme for Princess Diana's Funeral Service.


After Big Cat Records was bought by the Virgin Group, Steve worked in New York as head of A&R at Virgin's V2 Record label, with signings including The White Stripes, Moby, The Black Crowes and The Alvin Ailey Dance Company. He now manages the violinist Nicola Benedetti, pianist Lang Lang and young multi-million selling New Zealand folk singer Hayley Westenra. He also produces top selling albums: recent successes of note include The Choirboys (320 000 UK sales) and All Angels (250 000 sales)".

The above is taken from BBC2 'Classical Star" website

Simon Cowell, Dragon's Den, eat your hearts out!

Steve 'Abbo' Abbott, ex UK Decay and Furyo vocalist/guitarist has been
appearing on BBC2's new spin on X-Factor; ‘Classical Star’. Steve, or
should I say Abbo, appears as one of the four judges to pick the finalist
chosen from hundreds of young classical musicians selected from
around the country. The top prize is a recording contract
with........Steve Abbott!

Abbo has to make some tough unflinching decisions as the contestants
are whittled down week by week, 'He is good but I just wouldn't know
how to market him" he utters as the fellow judges discuss one of the
musicians. This also puts some of the fellow judges to boot!
He is gaining quite a reputation as the 'hard man' of the panel.


Steve 'Abbo' Abbott; Music Mogul

Most of our community have been long aware that Abbo has been doing
very well indeed, within music business management. Details however,
have been much vaguer with whispers of EMF and The White Stripes
having been managed or signed up by him. Rumours abounded that he
was Richard Branson's right hand man, heading Virgin's, V2 worldwide
arm. We can comfirm that much of this is true.
Steve Abbott as Abbo is known in the music business, has been making
a name for himself turning Classical music into dollars. He has been
doing so well that his success is now bringing him into the publics eye.

Asside from his appearance on Classical Star, recently he has been
interviewed on BBC Radio 4 and is to feature in a future Channel Four
presentation. How long before he is interveiwed by Jonothon Woss I
wonder?


I think we should all get used to seeing more of our Abbo on the
gogglebox from now on.
There is a rise of web noise requesting more info on Steve Abbott and
as to the mystery of who was the "three number ones", 'experimental
punk band', that Mr Abbott (Who embarrassingly credited with coining the
term 'Goth'), used to play for.

Well we all know don't we!

Nice one Mr Abbott!


W.W.
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[cyclops]

Congatulations to Steve and good luck.

I don't get the bit about joining the band at 16 though, somebody has made a little mistake here for sure. Abbo left Rotherham high school in 76 and joined The Resistors Mark II in spring/summer 78. That makes him 17/18 when he joined!
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Eye can see clearly now the rain has gone

[Bone]

Spoke to Abbo at the re-union last year and he still comes across as a thoroughly nice guy, easy to see how he got so far in the industry. Obviously I wished him luck with everything as I believe we should all be pleased when our friends do well for themselves, whatever form that takes! Although I did feel slightly embaressed that I didn't know who Hayley Westenra was.
Also, spent some time with EMF in a caravan at Glastonbury in the early '90s. Probably would have made for some more interesting conversation if I'd have known of Abbo's involvement then.
Again, good luck and all the best.