The name Steve Black still rings bell seriously as an ace drummer and percussionist, years after. His crack professionalism tells why he was simply a pearl to many celebrated acts and bands for years. Interestingly too, he has made his money from such business deals, coupled with the ones he has gathered as an act, which he is still making from old works of between 1975 and 1986. In this close up with our Contributing Editor, IFECHI OKOH, vintage Black opened up on issues of interest which his followers may have been dying to know about.

It was observed that you and late Tony Allen were in the fore front of drumming and percussion in Nigeria. Are you aware of this?

Yes! I am fully aware of this. However, I set out as a showman, that is going on stage to back up acts and dancing simultaneously as somebody who loves to dance. But then, as a good listener of music and beats, I was quick to notice that that drumming and percussion were not rhyming with the music as it is supposed to be. As a result, I had to go and learn drumming and percussion differently. Years after, I joined the defunct Cloud 7 band lead by Cliff David, Chris Okotie, late Christana Essien-Igbokwe, BLO band, Eric Kool, Geraldo Pino, late Sonny Okosun band and others. Itmay interest anybody to know and note that I sang and drummed atthe same time in any band I joined. In fact, I have some joint albums to show for these. I mean works like “Happy Birthday to you”, “Ololufe”, the all-time hit album. This was followed by “Remake the world”. But before all those releases, “Village Boogie” and a single titled “Fun on the streets” were pushed out between 1975 and 1986.

But sadly, the Nigerian recording industry didn't believe in my style of music which was essentially Afro-funk. Hence they didn't give me the expected chance and necessary platform and see how viable and marketable the works could be. It was quite disturbing and pitiable. It was also very unfair to me as a person and musician. Imagine! It is simply so ironical today that a man they couldn't give a chance by simply listening to his works to see how commercially viable they were, is the same person whom they refused to give a chance has backed stars recordings successfully. My case is simply like that of the rejected stone which has, at last, become the head corner stone. Today, my oldworks are hot cakes in Europe, Asia and America. Can you imagine that my old works rejected years back have turned out miraculously to become hot cakes in these countries mentioned? Anybody who cares should be informed that I still make money till tomorrow from those works released between 1975 and 1986. Incredible? But it is true! Hence, I remain eternally grateful to God Almighty for this. That is why I no longer worry myself about making albums in Nigeria till date.

What then do you do as a means to keep body and soul together till date?

Oh yeah! Please be informed that I have just established a state-of-the-art studio in Mowe, Ogun State. This venture is a multi-million naira studio with modern studio gadgets, with high standing professionals minding them. So what else do we need to take off in grand style? Virtually nothing. Honestly! My outfit is a deliberate attempt to fill the vacuum in modern recording studios in Nigeria. It is simply a bolder step at packaging new stuffs for my international audience who appreciate such high standard of works of arts. I have since moved round the globe seeing things for myself which actually encouraged me to aimed at that standard. You understand? Good!

May we know if your children are interested in music and possibly, take over your studio?

Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! But for now, all they are busy doing is marketing the business side of music which goes hand-in-hand with good productions which could boost fine produced works, no doubt. This is what is expected of our efforts which should survive us all for a life time.

Can we rule out the possibility of your children being performing acts, as a result of not playing actively any instrument like you?

Not yet, because God can turn them into superb instrumentalists overnight. Everything is in the hand of God and time phenomenon. Honestly!