Steve Mercury

Co – leader  

Label; Canaan lake Records Inc.

Instrument: Keyboards / Synth.

Discography: the Limeltes, The Del Vikings, SammySax & the M. D’s, the Eternals,

Has Played with: Vito Picone’s Elegants, the Dubs, Del Vikings, the Limelites, the Channels,

the Chiffons, the Fireflies, the Bobbetts, Freddy Boom-Boom Cannon, the Passions, the Chantels,

golden voices, the Eternals, Cyndi Lauper. The Casinos. The Cavaliers.

Gear: Roland 3080, 1010 synthesizers, A-37 controller and amplification, Studiologic controllers and Behringer MIDI outboard

Born and raised in the Bronx NY, Steve Mercury has been a fixture of the Long Island music scene for well over 25 years. A self taught musician, Steve was heavily influenced by classic and progressive rock, blues, jazz and swing. He decided to teach himself the piano in high school after hearing players like Elton John, Keith Emerson, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Johnny Johnson and Rick Wakeman. Once he started playing keboards, Steve could never stop!  During the 70's and 80's, Mercury played all over New York and Long Island, writing and performing original compositions, playing both keyboards and rhythm guitar. During the 80,s several of his New Wave bands received label interest from national independent labels of that era.

Always a "frustrated arranger", Steve spent much time in the early days of MIDI trying

 to do arrangements for rock and jazz pieces using computer software, sequencers and synthesizers primitive by today's standards. He eventually stopped because of his frustrations with the sound of the early synthesizers, which "... other than piano and organ did not sound like real instruments".

The early 90's found Steve playing bass and keyboards for both original and classic rock bands. The 90's also found Mercury breaking into the Doo-Wop circuit with The Eternals where he met then musical director Sammy Sax and bassist Pete Gamby. Steve remains The Eternals musical director, a position he has held for over 10 years.

Steve Mercury is currently lead synthesist and Co-Leader of the Friend Entertainment orchestra, Sammy Sax And The MDs. Referred to as a "Renaissance Man" by Sam, he wears many hats for the organization, travelling the US and abroad handling the musical concerns of the group. The MDs have provided Steve, a consummate keyboard player, the vehicle to do orchestral arranging in collaboration with Sammy Sax. Sam gives Steve the freedom to develop many of his own arrangements for himself and the group. Mr. Mercury is grateful for the opportunity to play with Sammy and such a fine ensemble, as well as work for gentlemen like Norman Wasserman and Vito Picone. In addition to his MD duties, Steve also oversees the recording releases of Canaan Lake Records, and the A & R work for the label.

Steve uses Roland synthesizers exclusively because of the quality of their gear and realism of their sound, especially in live performances. His goals are to continue exploring and creating great music for the public. His golden rules are "Never rest on your laurels" and "One must cooperate with the inevitable".

Steve currently resides on Long Island with his wife, son & screwball dog.

           BANDBIO