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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBISHOP, Stephen(b '51, San Diego CA) US singer/songwriter. Gift of brother's electric guitar decided him on songwriting career at age 14 (even then unprepossessing, the bespectacled Bishop was not his own idea of a pop idol). Formed the Weeds '67, a Beatles-style quartet who demo'd in LA; he searched seven years for solo deal and gave up, becoming staff songwriter for a publishing house. Patronage of Art Garfunkel etc found him signed with ABC for highly praised Careless '76 and Bish '78, very much in Garfunkel mould; both reached top 35 LPs in Billboard, the former gaining Grammy nom. for best new male artist, single 'On And On' (no. 11) nom. for best pop vocal (another hit on Careless was 'Save It For A Rainy Day', also 'Everybody Needs Love' from Bish). Red Cab To Manhattan '80 had stellar cast of helpers incl. Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, Phoebe Snow and Phil Collins: many moods and styles from big-band jazz ('This Is The Night') to new Randy Newman-like irony ('Living In The Land Of Abe Lincoln') perhaps kept LP from charting, but pleased fans ('Don't You Worry' was a tribute to the Beatles). Major interest in film music: sang theme from Tootsie 'It Might Be You' (no. 25 '83, unusually not his own song), wrote/sang theme for Animal House and 'Dream Girl' for same film; wrote/sang theme for China Syndrome 'Somewhere In Between' and duetted with Yvonne Elliman '80 on 'Your Precious Love' for Roadie soundtrack. Also played parts in Phantom Of The Paradise, Animal House, Kentucky Fried Movie, The Blues Brothers, last three courtesy of friend/prod. John Landis. Songs covered by Barbra Streisand, Chaka Khan, Four Tops, etc; sang background on Collins LPs (Collins wanted to produce a Bishop LP but record company hassles prevented it); wrote Collins's hit '86 duet with Marilyn Martin 'Separate Lives' (from film White Nights). Compilations on Rhino and MCA. |