Interrupted Greatness: The Charles Stepney Story

[onedopegirl]

Mr. Stepney was one of the greatest, most influential American composers to have ever lived. I previously thought my favorite producer was J Dilla but to find out how many songs this man was behind...he is my favorite. I love the work he did with rotary connection...beautiful music...he was a genius.

[roscoegino]

Step had a third ear, for real.

[groundhog713]

Charlie Stpeney was definitely ahead of his time. If he were alive today, I'm sure he would be a lot like Quincy Jones or Frank Zappa. His arrangements were direct and souful, but they were also complex too....

[ckswright18]

She was his first piano teacher.

[geneking7320]

Back in the 1970's [after Mr. Stepney's passing] I heard his mother play the organ at a church on Chicago's South Side. She had such a great touch so I knew that the talent did not skip a generation.

[ggordon10]

Well done production and very insightful! No one can touch Stepney's ability to weave a full orchestra and angelic singers in the background such as Minnie Riperton and others. His musical magic can supend time in its place and elevate one to a very high psychic dimension. The daughters should be proud of their dad and his genius, for which I'm sure they do. Keep the faith my sisters.

[ThePharaoho]

Charles Stepney was a genius... PERIOD!

[ccollin88]

When will the dvd be available pantherjazzcat

[ccollin88]

When will the dvd be available

[defrank123]

Amazing! I've always wonder about this man. I just happened to type his name on You-tube and wolla! Thank you!

[macaudiovideo]

Charles Stepney's memory lives on...Peace and Blessings

[stonedog23]

Love his work with Deniece Williams also!!!

[sinterminator]

greetings from Belgium. I was a huge EWF fan. Charles Stepney ment a lot to Maurice and the boys

[dwaynefisher]

Thanks girls for doing this short documentary... I remember when your dad died, but at the time did not realized how big of a foot print he would leave that no one since has filled.

[IsrealFloresto]

eternal journey by charles stepney is my favorite song in the world

[cehayes74]

Much Love to the Stepney Family !!! Charles Stepney music has helped me thru some rough times in my teenage years !!! I'm 36 now & I thank you for touching with your musical genius !!! And don't worry ladies, the people who ripped your father off will pay for it in the end !!!

[unique74muzik]

Overwhelmed... Thank You!

[tessteekle]

What is the music that starts at 7:40?

[olympicboulevard]

I am thinking about real commitment to quality music production and in my Lifetime that is Mr. Charles Stepney . Thank you , Sir.

[headedsomewhere]

My first exposure to Charles Stepney was EWF, and loved him...I heard Philip Bailey say once that if Maurice was the Quarterback, then Charles was the Coach, and truly after hearing this, I totally get it now. My prayer for his family is that they truly get their's...peace

[MikeStone05]

Just goes to show that when you listen to great music, from then to now, you never hear about who was the mastermind behind the success of any hit group, singer, album, or song. Ever since I was either 5 or 6 years old, I've been reading most liner notes of who was the arranger & co-producer of EWF's music (1974-1976)...and I I kept seeing "Charles Stepney" in the credits. My deepest respect will always be with Mr. Stepney, and his family...always. May he be recognized for all to see.

[Flextones]

Honestly I always thought of this kind of music beneath my ears. However I see that he was indeed an innovator who had talent for writing music in the traditional western standard music notation. Writing like that is pretty complex. He was a bridge to so-called Hip Hop. I never thought Maurice White (Ramsey's former drummer) had anything going with Earth Wind and Fire. I thought of that kind of music as dummy-down music for the masses. Man how wrong can one man be?

[cindyelise1]

alot of people listen to a singer or a group, and it doesn't even cross their minds as to what got the song there in the first place. in another commenters words, "thanx for the edutainment". it was an intimate piece of work.

[jupiterone1]

Absolute genius! Stepney will live forever through his music.

[xiloves]

I am fllloored . I did not know he did all these pieces. I just wanted to learn more about the man who did "Black Gold of the Sun," but he produced so much more. He was and awesome musical arranger. I prey his beautiful family get what they deserve, so many artist particularly AA were just robbed....robbed of the talents they so selflessly gave to the world...

[Suggsonbass]

Just getting Terry Callier into the studio alone is enougth to secure Mr Charles Stepney's place in the stars. His arrangement on Dancing girl leaves me speachless each time..... As spiritual as Coltrane.

[osensei2987]

Be careful man! Using Charle Stepney and Coltrane in the same sentence could make someone's head explode! LOL!

[Suggsonbass]

you're right. My apologies to Stepney fans, obviously he's way better than Coltrane!!!!!!!!

[astron33]

FANTASTIC thread.

Can't wait to watch the final film.

[jazman49]

I was introduced to the genius of Charles Stepney long before Earth Wind and Fire. It was through his masterwork known as Rotary Connection, a group which featured Minnie Riperton. It was 1967 and I was a freshman in college. I bought the album not knowing what to expect. One listen to his opening measures to Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and I knew I was in for a thrilling musical ride.

[demoxxl69]

Thank you jeff for the edutainment and revealing another chicago Music historian

[monzavideo]

I am happy to see this is being done. The story needs to be on video by those who knew him and worked with him. Congratulations to the family. I cannot wait to see more.

[SIGNALSTAT]

he was a great part of music.love the music he did on the minnie riperton song rainy day in centerville.rest in peace mr.stepney.

[Suggsonbass]

YES! I especially like the instrumental passage with piano and the drums halfway through that track.

[walkathon]

Stepney's such a brilliant class act - can't wait for this. Ramsey's "Mother's Nature Son" album still sounds HUGE.

[luvoftorah]

2/2 When I heard Imagination, I was so stunned by the vocal arrangements. I though, "Who in the world could come up with such artistic brilliance?" I of course looked on all the records, and saw that he was the producer. I found out later that EWF considered him like a coach who put their sound in alignment. I was shocked to hear that many haven't heard of him. When listen to EWF, I think, this is Charles Stepney, the arranger of the best sound in the world, a true genius!

[luvoftorah]

1/2 Shalom, Charlene, this is Lindsey's math and Bible teacher. I was introduced to the sheer genius of your father through Earth, Wind and Fire. It was about10 years ago when I was 22. I just happened to be flippin through the channels at a friend's house, and I saw them on VH1 and they were performing "Fantasy." Of course, I was like "Oh no he didn't" concerning Phillip's vocal abilities. After that, I bought just about every album I could find.

[Muziclvr07]

I'm so excited that finally the world will know what a true pioneer your dad was! And there's nobody better who can tell the story like it really was/is, than all of you! It's criminal that he never received the recognition that he so truly deserved. Hopefully now, that will all change. God bless!

[baggyness]

To watch this is mind blowing...to see and hear about a hero Charles Stepney who hitherto I've only known and admired from the many record grooves I have that have his imprint and spirit...THANK YOU!!

[breeny]

absolute legend.

[4herotv]

we agree with Charlene Stepney on this one, thanks for sharing your father with the rest of us!

4hero.

[remixx247]

He Was a SUPER PRODUCER !!!! There is No ONE LIKE HIm !!!

[x3Dre]

The amount of Charle's work I've got on vinyl is numerous... I hope you get what he made for you as a family and justice is done the right way.

Good love, peace and respect to you on your journey :)

ps - this is something that brought a tear to my eye watching this video clip ...

[MsMerising]

My #1 musical hero.

This cat was a TRIP. You read these old interviews and he's so brash just cussin' and breaking music DOWN.

Than you play his arrangements and they are most moving, magestic pieces you could ever imagine let alone hear.

R.I.P. Genius. We love your talent and miss you terribly. Mx

[leftyroger]

I'm so happy to see this film on the works and blessing's of Mr.

Charles Stepney.I was very fortunate to have known and worked with him on a few projects .What he taught me about music and life I will never forget...it's a real shame the way his

music and publishing royalties  have been exploited .....Karma will have it's..if it has'nt already!!!

[sirgant]

Wow! I am so happy to see this. Charles was a musical inspiration to me, and I got to meet him right before he passed. Having worked w/ EWF and other artists he developed, I have gotten inside of the music and vicariously inside his head. He was a true genius, and never recognized as one of the great masters. I look forward to the full story and shame on those who have not paid this man's estate it's proper share. You know who you are!

[BrenStew1]

I Love this Documentary on Charles's life. We still miss his work... and want everyone to know about him and how gifted he was. He made a huge contribution to music and the business that needs to continue to be remembered and the profits of his work should go to his family. God bless you all and I pray this reaches the masses. Charles and Ruby would be proud of their girls. All the best to you with this project... and any others you do to keep your Dad's memory alive.

Best,

Brenda