| Steve Nardelli | |
|---|---|
Steve Nardelli performs at The Marquee, London, November 2005, with The Syn |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stephen Louis Nardelli |
| Born | 10 April 1948 |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Progressive rock, Pop rock |
| Occupations | Musician, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Labels | Deram Records Umbrello Records |
| Associated acts | The Syn |
| Website | Official website |
Steve Nardelli (born Stephen Louis Nardelli, 10 April 1948, in London) founded The Syn in 1966 with Chris Squire, Andrew Jackman, John Painter and Martyn Adelman. In 1968, Nardelli left The Syn to carve out a business career in the fashion and sports industries before reforming the band in 2003 with Adelman and Peter Banks. Banks left the reunited band, but Squire joined and the band recorded a new album, Syndestructible. An interviewer for 20th Century Guitar magazine described Syndestructible as "one of the best prog-rock albums of the new century" and "a masterpiece of beat-prog."[1]
Contents |
Nardelli’s musicianship started around the age of twelve when he began playing the guitar.[2] These were the years British Pop was in full swing[3] and The Beatles, The Who and The Animals were his influences early on.
Inspired by the scene at the Marquee Club, noteworthy for its importance in the history of pop music,[4] at fourteen Nardelli formed his first group called High Court, an R&B band. Not long after, High Court changed its name and amalgamated into The Syn.
The Syn are considered a significant part of the pre-history of Yes; notably the progressive influences.[5]
Nardelli's first composition was "Grounded", a freakbeat song that he wrote when he was only 14. He co-wrote "14 Hour Technicolour Dream" in 1967, which was reviewed as “one of the best British psychedelic singles by any band.”[6] Both were singles performed by The Syn.
Nardelli continued to write music after The Syn of the 60s and had a solo recording contract with Decca. Nardelli reformed The Syn with Peter Banks and Martyn Adelman in 2004. The line-up changed, re-uniting Nardelli with Chris Squire, and together they wrote Syndestructible (2005) with Gerard Johnson and Paul Stacey. This was followed by the album Armistice Day, the title track being written by Nardelli and Johnson. Squire, Johnson and Stacey all left the band, and Nardelli formed a new line-up with Francis Dunnery and Tom Brislin. They released Big Sky in 2009.
After The Syn disbanded, Nardelli, along with his partner Ian Ross, opened a chain of fashion shops in Chelsea and Kensington.
Continuing a connection with the music industry, Nardelli teamed with Tommy Roberts, well-known for his fashion shop Mr. Freedom[7][8] and launched a record label, Fresh Records through WEA.[9]
In 1997, Nardelli acquired from the government of Belgium's Walloon region the Donnay sports brand.[10] Nardelli also founded Umbrello Records, and the IPTV music station theONE.tv.
In 2009, Nardelli formed P3 (Portfolio Property Partners) with Graham Johnson and Ian Inshaw. The company is one of the new eco developers and their site at NW Bicester [11] was selected by Government to be one of the 4 new eco towns. The Master Plan architect for the project is Sir Terry Farrell and the town will be built with full eco credentials and to the new code 6 standards set by Government. Work starts on the development in 2011 and it will be the first eco town to be built.[12]
With The Syn
Solo singles
With 14 Hour Technicolour Dream V-band