“Well, they  say musicians never reaches maturity and that’s probably true …keep a childlike passion at all times!...When I’m looking for musicians to play my songs, what I really want is someone that has a naïve, almost punk, approach to the way they play their instrument but also has a very good technique in their arsenal …and believe me…it’s very hard to find players like this…I’m the only one I know!!”

Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton: The Rock Raconteur 

Manchester born Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton started his professional career as the guitar player for Atomic Rooster before enjoying a successful relationship playing/composing for 80’s star Paul Young. At the personal request of Pete Townshend, Steve then accepted the gig as lead guitarist for The Who on their 1989 25th Anniversary UK and USA shows. Along the way he took in session work for industry icons such as David Bowie, Donny Osmond, John Otway, Belinda Carlisle and many more. On Steve’s solo gigs expect to hear (as the mood takes him!) songs by Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Syd Barrett, Scott Walker and many more, along with yarns from his lifetime in Rock & Roll. Aside from his solo gigs, Steve has joined the recently reformed Atomic Rooster embarking on a tour across both the UK and Europe. He is also passionately at work creating and recording with Dead Man's Corner.                                             (Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton / Photo by Ken Krash)

From his early days with Atomic Rooster, his guitar slinging skills and composing talents have been sought by the likes of the Who, Paul Young, Rick Wright, Dave Gilmour, John Otway Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Belinda Carlisle and countless others. In 2013, Steve was given the fantastic honour of a lifetime achievement at the Galaxy Music Awards. More than 40 years after Atomic Rooster’s last album, Headline News (1983), we now have "Circle the Sun" (2025), the brand-new record from these British legends. Original guitarist Steve “Boltz” Bolton leads the charge on "Circle The Sun" — a fierce new chapter in Atomic Rooster's legacy.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Well, I think as a musician you definitely take note of what’s going on in the world…Although I don’t actually write about it in my songs, sometimes listening back  to music, I’ve written I think oh ...I am quite political!! …and despite my rockabilly appearance, a secret hippy as well!...As for the question: what moment changed  my musical life the most… well, if I’m being really honest probably when I took LSD for the first time!..Although I couldn’t possibly comment…oh I just did!

What keeps a musician passionate over the years in rock? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

Well, they  say musicians never reaches maturity and that’s probably true …keep a childlike passion at all times!...When I’m looking for musicians to play my songs, what I really want is someone that has a naïve, almost punk, approach to the way they play their instrument but also has a very good technique in their arsenal …and believe me…it’s very hard to find players like this…I’m the only one I know!!

Why do you think that the Atomic Rooster music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

Yeah as for the Rooster legacy…When I first got involved in the reformed Atomic Rooster it was just another thing I did in my career after. But after recording this new album ‘Circle The Sun’, we really are extremely passionate and I think that passion is coming across. We’ve had amazing reviews and the audiences are being fantastic saying how the music has that retro thing but with a look to the future.  That’s how we feel about the album… we feel we’re carrying the torch of Atomic Rooster. Plus it can be taken as a stand-alone album.

“Well playing guitar through huge Marshall stacks …all that’s gone out the window now …you gotta be much quieter on stage these days! I guess artificial intelligence is the big is one of the elephants in the room. Well it’s not really an elephant in the room, it’s there for everyone to see …and also streaming of course…200 hours of streaming is the equivalent of one album CD / vinyl sale royalty wise!” (Steve Boltz with Atomic Rooster, May 1972 / Photo by Michael Putland)

What´s been the highlights in your career so far? Are there any memories from gigs, jams, and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

As for highlights in my career, well I probably have to say obviously playing with The Who …After weeks of rehearsing with them the first big show 90,000 people in the audience and I look at John Entwistle next to me he winks at me and I think “my God, how did this happen to me?”!

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

What do I miss most now?...Well playing guitar through huge Marshall stacks …all that’s gone out the window now …you gotta be much quieter on stage these days!

I guess artificial intelligence is the big is one of the elephants in the room. Well it’s not really an elephant in the room, it’s there for everyone to see …and also streaming of course…200 hours of streaming is the equivalent of one album CD / vinyl sale royalty wise!

What were the reasons that made the UK -since the 1960s- to be the center of music researches and experiments?

Well probably English language, thinking about it you know, obviously the States as well ….so to be in Italy or Germany...or Russia and all the music they love is in a foreign language..that’s bizarre to me!

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I’ve no idea…I told you I’m not politically inclined…what I will say is never be afraid to admit something is fabulous….even if you previously said/thought it was crap and of no importance.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Never to assume anything…also to trust in the Spirit…you’ll always be ok…trust me!

Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton - Home

(Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton / Photo by Brian Sayle)