Steve Foster Pilkington, In The Town Of Forgotten Talent

Steve Foster Pilkington, In The Town Of Forgotten Talent 12" Vinyl Single 1986

Steve Foster Pilkington -- The Town Of Forgotten Talent

I first met Steve at the Beehive Pub in Great Baddow when I asked him why he kept playing Joe Jackson's Steppin Out on the Jukebox. Every time the song came on he would be sitting on his own shaking his head and tapping his feet along to the beat. The reason was Steve was signed to Joe Jacksons management company that afforded him the opportunity to record backing tracks that facilitated the live act.
We spoke about his musical talents and the Landlord at the time who I think was called "Brian"was interested ,and agreed to let Steve play one evening
He played the Beehive in Baddow several times, the first time he teamed up with a local guy on vocals playing covers of old hits . But Steve had a slot on his own and he was a man with many talents in fact he had written some political songs at the time one of witch I remember was "Cruise Missiles". Playing guitar and violin in very energetic , crazy, unique and original style the audience were watching on in complete amazement to this style of play.
After this Steve went on write many brilliant songs and played solo at the Snifters wine bar on a regular basis and by then had built up a fan base following. He would record all the back ground music to his songs in a bedroom studio then play live with violin or guitar along to the tapped backing sounds. I personally think that some of the music was apparently brilliant and way ahead of it's time. I once saw him play at the Army & Navy, this was the best I had ever seen him.
Steve still does live in Chelmsford and often plays St Ann Castles in Great Leighs but has been touring all over from The Isle Of Arren to Penzance playing four time a week.
I bought this vinyl 12" single when it was released in 1986, the B side is "The Last Tango" Coincidently Steve is currently re recording "In 'The Town Of Forgotten Talent" nearly 25 years on.
You can find his new web site at www.stevefp.com .
A new single is due out on the 30th June, a re-recording of "She Wants To Be A Wag" read Duncan's review at http://chelmsfordrocks.com/custom2.html .

Maurice June 2010

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• Steve Foster Pilkington

[sibfanandy007]

Sound Melody is like KIM WILDE - Cambodia :o)

Remixed by Pete Hammond^^

[fatanky]

Steve was/is a genius..like doobie02 I have several 12 inchers I must dig out.. just found him on MySpace!

[doobie02]

I love this song and have this very 12" single as another single he released afterwards somewhere at home in the loft as well!! I was lucky enough to have Steve do a guest appearance in my old band at the British Legion in Chelmsford in December 1984 as well as another couple of gigs. He'd come up on stage and sing the Fischer-Z song 'So Long', usually after a few pints! I taped it on cassette & have the mp3 on my PC which makes me smile listening to him singing quite a range after a few beers!

[fralust]

Nice tune. As a lad in the early 80's, I once had the rare pleasure of seeing Mr. Pilkington play live with Martin Stephenson and The Daintees at London's Mean Fiddler. He played the violin like a man possessed. Quite brilliant.

After the show I caught up with him, and congratulated him on his fine performance. He was somewhat taken aback, smiled nervously, muttered something and shuffled away.