Steve Woolam
BornMay 1946
Bilston, England
Died1971
GenresRock, classical
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Violin, vocals
Years active1970–1971
LabelsHarvest

Steve Woolam (May 1946–1971) was an English musician notable for playing violin and singing[1] in the Electric Light Orchestra from 1970 to 1971.[2]

Background

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Woolam came from a family of musicians, family members such as Joe and Lesley Woolam being noted as "big musicians" by Woolam's nephew.[3] Woolam attended the University of Birmingham in the late 1960s.[3]

Career

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Electric Light Orchestra

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Woolam joined the Electric Light Orchestra in 1970, after its formation that same year.[4] Woolam played violin in their first album, The Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer in US releases).[5] His playing in Queen of the Hours was quoted as "sublime" by Barry Delve.[6] He left after the album's release in 1971 and was replaced by Wilfred "Wilf" Gibson.[7][8][9]

Death

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Due to meeting the "wrong women" and possibly a fall-out with Roy Wood, Woolam had started using drugs and thus killed himself by jumping in 1971.[3][9]

References

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  1. ^ Contemporary Musicians. Gale Research, Incorporated. 1989. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-8103-5402-9.
  2. ^ Kiste, John Van der (2017-01-21). Jeff Lynne: Electric Light Orchestra - Before and After. Fonthill Media.
  3. ^ a b c "Steve Woolam". 10538overture.dk. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  4. ^ Metzer, Greg (2015-03-20). Rock Band Name Origins: The Stories of 240 Groups and Performers. McFarland. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-7864-5531-7.
  5. ^ Kiste, John Van der (2017-08-19). Electric Light Orchestra: Song by Song. Fonthill Media. p. 46.
  6. ^ Delve, Barry (2022-08-04). Electric Light Orchestra on Track. Sonicbond Publishing Ltd. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-78952-224-2.
  7. ^ Entertainment, Pyxidis. "Pyxidis Entertainment - Pyxidis". www.pyxidis.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  8. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011-05-27). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 913. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  9. ^ a b Kauth, André (2019-09-23). Pop History Band 1: Pop-Lexikon Musikgruppen von A bis K (in German). BoD – Books on Demand. p. 913. ISBN 978-3-7392-0917-3.
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