While the name Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton may not be familiar to Australian audiences, his guitar work will certainly is.
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The English musician has recorded and performed with a who’s who of the rock music world.
He was guitarist with ’80s pop singer Paul Young, appearing on Young’s albums and tours and ’80s hit singles, such as Love of The Common People and Every Time You Go Away, and substituted for The Who’s guitarist, Pete Townshend, on The Who’s 25th anniversary tour in 1989.
He has also done session work for Ray Davies and David Bowie among others, and even appeared in a 1987 film, Hearts of Fire, with Bob Dylan.
And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a fully paid-up member of reformed British rock group Atomic Rooster, (he was part of the 1971-72 original line-up) who recently released a new album, Circle The Sun, their first in over 40 years.
“Getting the gig as The Who’s guitar player because Pete Townshend had tinnitus and needed a player he could trust was extremely honouring, as you can imagine!” Bolton told me last week when recalling his Who tour experience.
“Their 25th anniversary tour was unbelievably mind-blowing.
“I distinctly recall as we were just about to kick off the first show in front of an 80,000-plus audience, as the intro music blasted out through the PA system, I looked sideways at John ‘The Ox’ Entwistle (The Who bassist), who asked, ‘You all right?’
“I responded, ‘Absolutely, let’s go!’”
Bolton also recalled to Musical Musings his memories of his whirlwind years with Paul Young.
“The success of the album No Parlez (1983) knocked us all out!” he says.
“The band was super tight and we ripped it every single show.
“We toured the world constantly for two years straight, but it took its toll on us all mentally and physically, as there was not a single day off.
“Sometimes, we did two shows a day with TV appearances slotted in between.
“But who’s complaining?
“I’m still in touch with Paul and may collaborate again, so watch this space.”
Now in the sixth decade of his illustrious playing career, what motivates Bolton to keep on making music?
“What keeps me going? Well, it ain’t money, that’s for sure,” he says.
He adds, with a laugh: “I think musicians are slightly unhinged and can’t behave rationally.
“There’s definitely a bit of round the next corner and my musical dreams and ambitions will be fulfilled!
“My beautiful wife is always there to ground me when I get weird, which is usually when I’m not doing gigs or recording.”
And what advice has held him in good stead all through the years?
“Always play every show as though it’s the last you’ll ever do,” he says.
“It may well be!”
For more info on Steve Bolton’s rock ’n’ roll life, visit: steveboltz.co.uk
Special music news report
A new research piece titled For The Record, which was commissioned by the Victorian Music Development Office, has named Melbourne as the vinyl record capital of the world, with more record shops per head of population than any other city in the world.
The report found that Melbourne’s 5.9 record stores per 100,000 residents exceeded those in Tokyo (2.3), London (4.9) and Berlin (2.9).
In addition to that statistic, Victoria’s store count grew 18 per cent since 2023, while national vinyl sales increased 5.6 per cent to $44.5 million.
However, reflecting the cost of living and the upkeep required to keep a record store afloat, no surveyed store owners described their ventures as financially strong.
The report also found that regional Victoria was the most disadvantaged in terms of access — with one store per 150,000 to 200,000 residents versus one per 62,000 in Melbourne — while high capital requirements impeded record stores’ ability to continue functioning, and the cost of records prevented young people from starting their own collections.
New music to come in 2026
As this year draws to a close, it’s time to look ahead to see what music fans can expect.
2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for new albums from some of music's biggest stars.
Here's a preview of what we can expect:
Paul McCartney is rumoured to be at work on a brand-new album that is due in 2026. Those who have heard a preview describe it as a blending of “Beatles and Wings harmonies”.
The Rolling Stones have a follow-up to their 2023 album, Hackney Diamonds, which will feature new material along with previously unused material. There is talk that they’re also planning to tour again next year.
Will the long talked about Faces album that features original members Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart and Kenney Jones finally see the light of day in 2026?
Iconic English guitar hero Hank Marvin will release a five CD collection titled The Studio Album Collection — 1982 to 1995 in April, 2026.
The 71-track anthology contains his five solo albums recorded, as the title says, between 1982 and 1995: Words And Music (1982), All Alone With Friends (1983), Into The Light (1992), Heartbeat (1993) and Hank Plays Cliff (1995).
Fleetwood Mack mainstay Mick Fleetwood is reportedly working on a solo album that also sees fellow Mac band mate Lindsay Buckingham playing guitar and contributing vocals on several songs.
And another Mac band member, Stevie Nicks, is also at work on new a solo album, with the working title of The Ghost Record.
The album, which is reportedly, according to Nicks, “deeply autobiographical”, comes more than a decade after her last, 2014’s 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault.
Tori Amos has a new album due next year too, titled In Times of Dragons. She will also embark on a European tour in April and May.
New albums also coming in 2026 will be from The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, who has completed work on a new solo album, and Irish rockers U2, who are completing work on a new album to follow up 2023's Songs of Surrender.
Also coming in 2026 is a new studio album from 4 Non Blondes, which will be the follow-up to their only studio album, 1992’s Bigger, Better, Faster, More!, which featured their worldwide hit single, What's Up?.
Number one on global music charts, 50 years ago this week
US: That's the Way (I Like It), KC and the Sunshine Band
UK: Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
Aus: Mamma Mia, ABBA
Fun fact
While the biggest-selling musical act to come out of Sweden is pop group ABBA, in second place is pop duo Roxette. Coming in at third place is Euro-pop group Ace Of Base while in fourth position is DJ and remixer Avicii.