“Most people forget that blues and early rock ‘n roll are the backbone of almost all popular music today. Looking further back, swing and jazz played a part in the development of early rock ‘n roll. Jazz and swing were in turn heavily influenced by blues music. Remembering the wonderful roots of today’s music lets us appreciate it even more.”

Stevie Silver: Rock n’ Roll Crusin’ 

Singer songwriter-guitarist Stevie Silver burst on the New England blues scene in 2008 with his debut album. Stevie Silver who plays rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, and blues, performing in USA and Japan. His love of music began at The Boston Tea Party nightclub on Berkeley Street in Boston back in the late 1960's where he discovered many famous and soon to be famous bands and players like The Who, Mountain, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After and Eric Clapton. His love of music led him to discover the blues in the 70's when he saw the great Muddy Waters at Paul's Mall on Boylston St. in Boston. This was the beginning of his passion for the blues that continues to this day. During the late 80's with the opening of Nightstage in Cambridge there was a continual parade of wonderful artists almost every weekend to satisfy his endless craving for new musical experiences. It was at this time when he first saw Ronnie Earl who had taken over the guitar seat for Duke Robillard with Roomful of Blues at a performance at Nightstage.

(Photo: Stevie Silver)

He met many other wonderful artists through his association with Ronnie, like Albert Collins, Wayne Bennett, Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl, David Maxwell, Sugar Ray Norcia, Anson Funderburgh, Sam Myers, Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie Silver is back with his new Rockabilly album “Cruisin'” (2025). Six of the songs were recorded at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis TN and the remaining six recorded at Lakewest Studios in Rhode Island. Duke Robillard says: “I was proud to contribute to the album as both producer and music collaborator. Of the total twelve songs on the album, five are Stevie's original songs and he showed strength as a songwriter staying true to the Rockabilly and Rock 'n Roll genre. Altogether, this is an impressive set of music peppered with a few nods to early Blues, Rock and Roll and R&B demonstrating the talents of Stevie as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. I think the joy we had making it comes through strongly and will inspire repeated listening."

Interview by Michael Limnios                   Archive: Stevie Silver, 2013 Interview

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

I honestly believe that music is the binding, common thread that connects people all over the world. There were three musical turning points in my life. The first was back in 1964 at the age of twelve when I watched The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, along with millions of other kids. This opened my eyes to performance pop music and really set my mind on the road to becoming a performer. The second turning point was at fifteen hearing Eric Clapton and Cream perform “Sunshine of Your Love” and the subsequent “Wheels of Fire” live album, when I realized what one talented guitarist can do with an electric guitar. The final and perhaps most important turning point for me was meeting famed blues guitarist Ronnie Earl who became my teacher and mentor back in 1986. Ronnie was the one who really launched me on my current path as a blues guitarist. For that I am forever grateful.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

When I first started performing as a musician I primarily concentrated on blues music to the exclusion of everything else and really took a deep dive into the genre. This is how I digested what I felt I needed to know to become a better musician. As I progressed I realized that I needed to open myself up to wider horizons and so I started to listen to all kinds of rock, rockabilly, jazz and even classical music. Absorbing even small bits and pieces of different kinds of music makes you a better musician. My curiosity and passion for all kinds of music has always remained part of me and always will.

“Unfortunately, in the past getting labeled as a blues musician has often been rebuffed by the public as old fashioned. It took someone like Stevie Ray Vaughan to break through those stereotypes and cross over to a wider audience. When he passed some of that progress was unfortunately lost. However, I believe that good music will appeal to a wider audience, regardless of the underlying genre. I strive to achieve that as best as possible.” (Photo: Stevie Silver)

Why do you think that the Blues & Rock n’ Roll music continues to generate such a devoted following in Japan?

Blues and rock music have carved out a surprisingly deep niche in Japan. Their popularity is rooted in a mix of cultural curiosity and Japan’s unique music environment. Japan is culturally homogenous, however Japanese youth are drawn to the rebellious spirit and emotional depth of blues and rock. Elvis Presley and The Beatles had a huge impact on Japanese youth that has continued to the present. Japan boasts very passionate live music fans both in small clubs and also large festivals. I will be performing at The Sakai Blues Festival in October, which is one of Japan’s largest blues festivals.

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

I miss the small live performances of popular musicians. Unfortunately, popular music has become a huge money generating business where well-known artists only perform at large stadium venues and charge extremely exorbitant ticket prices for even poor seating. I saw many famous musicians as a teenager back in the late 1960’s at the famed Boston Tea Party venue including Eric Clapton, The Who, Ten Years After, Jethro Tull, Leslie West and Mountain and many more. I paid only $3 to sit on the floor on a pillow right in front of the stage with only about 100 other people attending. I paid the same for my tickets to Woodstock in ’69. I saw Aerosmith on the terrace in front of the Boston University Student Union for free in the early ‘70s. These days are long gone unfortunately. I’m hoping that people will get out of their homes more in the future and start a new upswing of live music on a smaller scale. Fortunately, where I’m living in Kyoto, Japan right now, there is a vibrant nightlife and many dozens of small live music venues. The city streets are packed with people enjoying nightlife here.

“Blues and rock music have carved out a surprisingly deep niche in Japan. Their popularity is rooted in a mix of cultural curiosity and Japan’s unique music environment. Japan is culturally homogenous, however Japanese youth are drawn to the rebellious spirit and emotional depth of blues and rock.” (Photo: Stevie Silver plays rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, and blues)

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

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my music travels is to keep an open mind and constantly search for music that inspires me. When I spent some time backstage with Ronnie Earl and Jimmie Vaughan (Stevie Ray Vaughan’s brother) just before his show in 1989, Jimmie turned around suddenly from combing his hair and asked me what blues musicians do I listen to. Surprised and trying to be polite I answered, “Well, I listen to you.” He fixed me with a serious expression and said, “Wrong! Don’t listen to me! You have to listen to B.B., Freddie King, Albert King, Lightnin’ Hopkins  and The Wolf (Howlin’ Wolf)! Those are the guys who will teach you the meaning of the blues. Dig back man!” I’ll never forget that moment. I’ve been very fortunate to have spent time with some great blues musicians including, Stevie Ray Vaughan who picked me out of a crowded backstage dressing room and asked me to step out into the hallway where we talked about Jimi Hendrix and blues, Duke Robillard who produced both of my recent albums and has been a major influence, Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist Hubert Sumlin, who was a beautiful person, and many others too numerous to list out here.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues/rock n’ roll? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Most people forget that blues and early rock ‘n roll are the backbone of almost all popular music today. Looking further back, swing and jazz played a part in the development of early rock ‘n roll. Jazz and swing were in turn heavily influenced by blues music. Remembering the wonderful roots of today’s music lets us appreciate it even more. People tend to be nearsighted in general.  We need to push the public to appreciate the music of the past as well as today’s music. Once again, I will say that music is the common thread that binds all of society together. No matter where you go whether it’s North or South America, Europe, Africa or the Far East, all people love music, which transcends cultural and linguistic barriers.

“Keeping the hunger alive and remaining passionate about music is part of my soul. I can’t imagine a life without it.  Being technically proficient is an important part of being a musician and I spend many hours every day working with my guitar to improve my proficiency.” (Photo: Stevie Silver)

How can a musician truly turn the blues/rock n’ roll into a commercial and popular genre of music for the today's audience?

This is a common theme for many performers, including blues and rock ‘n roll musicians… How to get their music heard? Firstly, I would say that unlike many years ago when I first started performing, the internet and social media can now add a tremendous amount of exposure for a musician’s music. I would also say that a musician should try to not let their music get pigeon holed into a specific genre that might turn off some of the public. Unfortunately, in the past getting labeled as a blues musician has often been rebuffed by the public as old fashioned. It took someone like Stevie Ray Vaughan to break through those stereotypes and cross over to a wider audience. When he passed some of that progress was unfortunately lost. However, I believe that good music will appeal to a wider audience, regardless of the underlying genre. I strive to achieve that as best as possible.

What keeps a musician passionate after five decades in his rock, blues? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

Keeping the hunger alive and remaining passionate about music is part of my soul. I can’t imagine a life without it. Being technically proficient is an important part of being a musician and I spend many hours every day working with my guitar to improve my proficiency. However, I learned valuable lessons from my teacher and mentor Ronnie Earl that without the soul of your music, technique becomes cold and uninspiring. My first exposure to Ronnie Earl was at his show with the band Roomful of Blues in a small club in Cambridge, MA in 1986. He stood over my chair at the edge of the stage, dripping with perspiration from his concentration and hanging on just a few beautiful notes from his Fender Stratocaster. The musical connection between the two of us at that moment changed my life forever. Always strive for the soul of your music and you can’t go wrong!

Stevie Silver - Home

(Photo: Stevie Silver)