Steve Lewinson obit

Simply Red member dies at 60

 

He was not on the list.

Eurythmics bass guitarist and band member Steve Lewinson has passed away at the age of 60. Steve played on the Peace album and was musical director for the Peacetour. Read our tribute to Steve.

The world of music mourns the loss of Steve Lewinson, a gifted bassist and musical visionary whose artistry touched countless lives. Steve passed away at the age of 60, leaving behind a legacy rich in rhythm, harmony, and soul.

Born in 1963, Steve’s journey into music was destined from the start. With a natural ear for melody and an instinctive understanding of rhythm, he began to develop his craft from a young age. Over the years, Steve would go on to become celebrated not just for his technical prowess, but for the warmth and creativity he brought to every note he played.

Although most widely known for his time as a band member of Simply Red, Steve’s also collaborated with Eurythmics on the band’s “Peace” album and captured the essence of their sound, providing a soulful backbone to a collection of songs that spoke to the heart. As part of the Peacetour band, Steve shone not only as a bassist but also as the tour’s musical director, guiding performances that resonated with audiences around the globe.

Steve’s talent extended beyond the bass guitar. His collaboration with  Annie Lennox on her poignant track “Hush, Hush, Hush,” alongside the iconic Herbie Hancock, further cemented his status as a musician of rare depth and sensitivity. This track showcased Steve’s ability to blend seamlessly with artists of varying styles, always enhancing the music and elevating the message.

Before these remarkable achievements, Steve was a key figure in the early days of the Spice Girls band. His intuitive playing and grounding presence contributed to the group’s initial sonic identity, helping to shape a phenomenon that would take the world by storm.

Throughout his illustrious career, Steve Lewinson was more than just a bassist; he was a storyteller, a creator of moods, and an architect of soundscapes and often shared the stage with his brother Pete Lewinson a renowned drummer and got to work with the cream de la creme of the music industry including Massive Attack, Amy Winehouse, Ricky Martin, George Michael, Sade, Kylie Minogue and Anita Baker. He also contributed to many award winning records, as well as to film soundtracks and theatre and opera productions. Lewinson was part of the ‘golden generation’ of British Jazz musicians that emerged in the 80s and included Courtney Pine, Julian Joseph and Steve Williamson, going on to carve out a successful career in pop music, but never losing his appreciation for Jazz.

We send our condolences to Pete and to Steve’s family. We leave with you with a vide of Eurythmics performing Peace Is Just A Word at The Church, with both Steve and his brother Pete behind Annie and Dave. on drums and bass guitar, just see his infectious smile as he plays.