We all know about Steve - the cheeky charmer who exploded onto the scene as the winner of The X Factor, the nations biggest ever TV talent search show to date. During the series, Steve certainly caused a reaction but he trounced the competition, achieving a staggering two-thirds of the nine million registered votes on the night of the final. Following his spectacular win, Steve went straight to the top spot yet again with his debut single Against All Odds which was the very first No.1 of 2005 and even knocked Band Aid off the top of the charts.
Steve Brookstein was born in Dulwich to a South African father and an Estonian mother. His earliest memories were of falling asleep to the great Nat King Cole's records. He explains that "there was music in my blood". His grandfather had been a jazz musician in South Africa and his father's brother was once offered a record deal after scouts heard him singing in a restaurant. He was born to sing, and sing he did in clubs, bars, and restaurants - wherever there was a microphone. What set Steve apart though was his incredible love of music. If the vocals weren't from the heart, the very soul, Steve wasn't getting it.
As a teenager he was initially more interested in football and art than music and even turned down a trial for Crystal Palace. But after a night out at one of London's more serious karaoke clubs, all of that changed. After taking to the stage to perform he was approached by a member of the audience who told him he had a good voice and advised him to take singing lessons. Soon after this he got himself an agent and started gigging, mainly doing covers of the likes of Elvis, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. His passion for music and performance drove him to take on an assortment of jobs such as estate agent and video shop assistant as a way to fund his gigs by night.
For sixteen years Steve struggled as a gigging musician. Determination drove him on and a career in singing was waved under his nose in the form of a record deal on two occasions. Nothing substantial came of the deals and Steve decided he was going to return his concentration to gigging and simply enjoy his music. But then in August of last year he was approached by an agent to support Dione Warwick, which was an amazing success. He was then elated when asked to support Lionel Ritchie and Alexander O’Neil but a tough decision lay ahead. Steve was also on The X Factor route and had to make the biggest decision of his career so far. His decision has, of course, made history.
Simon Cowell chose Steve as a finalist for his team on The X Factor because he could see beyond the big smile and cheeky charm, Simon recognised an exceptional talent and drive in Steve that separated him from the typical reality TV show pop star. Mentored and encouraged by Simon each week, millions watched Steve out perform his competition on the show. The musical influences so close to Steve’s heart were clear as he wowed audiences with classics such as Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' - perfectly capturing the emotional warmth and richness of Steve's vocal ability. Topped with his luminous stage presence, smooth style and cheeky smile, it was clear from very early on that Steve had The X Factor... and the ability to go all the way!
When Steve sings a Luther Vandross composition he makes it his own as is demonstrated on the track Dance With My Father, taken from Steve's debut album Heart and Soul. Recently Steve was thrilled to headline at Wembley Arena, the same venue where Luther played a record 13 nights back to back in the eighties. One of his biggest ambitions is to meet with Luther, something that The X Factor success should help him achieve! Another male vocalist on Steve's must listen list is the incredible Teddy Pendergrass, sadly incapacitated in a wheel chair after an auto accident. Steve narrows it down to the gorgeous If You Don't Know Me By Now from Teddy's time as a member of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes for inclusion on his own album. Steve recalls that this song holds significance importance to him, "When I was first starting out I use to always sing this song. It's played an important part in my own musical history". He adds that although he'll never be as good as Marvin Gaye or Al Green, "I want to make a great album". He is sure that "there is room for someone like me", and rightly so.
Another singer high on his list is the original soul legend now turned preacher Al Green. Green considered one of the finest vocalists of his generation had an incredibly smooth and silky voice that just oozed real soul. The classic How Can You Mend A Broken Heart is Steve's choice for the album. He was nervous tackling a song like this, but has firmly put his own stamp on it and made it his own song. It's Steve's fervent hope that people buying the album will trawl through the Reverend Al Greens back catalogue and find out what they're missing all these years.
Steve is also a fan of contemporary singers like Joss Stone and Beverley Knight who bring a whole new dimension to the genre. He says, "There are some singers out there at the moment who can do it just as well as the originals". However we're soon back talking about the gospel/churchy feel of the Staple Singers cuts and the super slick orchestrated pop soul of the O'Jays. He can't fit them all on one album, but Mr Smooth Smokey Robinson does make the cut. Steve avoids the obvious 'Tracks of My Tears' and plumps for the less well-known Ooh Baby Baby.
The great Divas get in on the act too. These are women remembered more for their magical voices and intense presence as opposed to shallow publicity grabbing dramas. We're talking about the likes of the inimitable Gladys Knight. It's her massively successful Help Me Make It Through The Night that Steve chooses to re interpret and pay tribute to on his debut album. The names of the real greats role off Steve’s tongue... Stevie, Ray Charles, Sam Cook and even a certain Mr Sinatra.
Despite his slightly unreal and sudden appearance on the scene, Steve is about as real and genuine as it gets when we're talking soul music! Unfazed by his new-found popularity, Steve chooses to become immersed in the music, not the celebrity lifestyle. He admits, "I don’t feel comfortable with the adulation that goes with celebrity, but that comes hand in hand with being the winner of a show like The X Factor, which has given me the opportunity to showcase my talents and musical style. I'm a realist, first and foremost my passion is the music and The X Factor has given me the platform to fully concentrate on delivering a great album to a new audience."
Steve's musical journey has taken time, passion and sheer devotion. The best things come to those who wait... he's waited... he's won and he's put his Heart and Soul into achieving more!
