Steve Zodiac
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Steve Zodiac is a rock guitarist and prolific songwriter from New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band Vardis.
He was credited as writer of classic Heavy Metal tunes "If I Were King", "Lets Go", and "100mph"; was voted one of the top 15 guitarists of the 1980's and was famed for his searing Fender Telecaster sound. He once experimented with bagpipes on the track "Police Patrol" from the 1982 album Quo Vardis, worked with Jools Holland (Squeeze), Andy Bown (Status Quo & Pink Floyd), Ron Asprey, Terry Horbury (Dirty Tricks) and Judd Lander. Steve is thought to have taken his last name from Sylvia and Gerry Anderson's astronaut in 1960s television show Fireball XL5.
Steve Zodiac’s work contributed greatly to modern heavy metal and inspired many heavy metal bands of today. He is directly quoted by giants like Metallica as a heavy infuence.[citation needed] He prematurely quit Vardis in the mid 1980's, (which resulted in outcry amongst rock n' roll fans all over the world[citation needed]) due to mounting tensions between himself and several people within the music industry.
Original Vardis records are rare and are valued in most record collector's books and guides. An original copy of "100mph" including the enclosed tour guide and poster has an estimated value of approximately £500 ($940).
Steve Zodiac is now believed to reside in London, UK with his wife and children and teaches guitar and music technology.