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Who is Seasick Steve? Was He Formerly a Disco Star in France?

Wielding a war-torn guitar with only three strings and keeping the beat on a homemade foot stomper, Seasick Steve rocked the world when he appeared on the Jools Holland show on New Years Eve in 2006.

"Seasick" Steve Wold performed his trademark song, Doghouse Boogie which tells his backstory of leaving home before the age of 14 and becoming a hobo.

Once the video hit Youtube, he became a worldwide sensation.

Writer, Matthew Wright claims to have uncovered a much different backstory to Steven Wold in his biography, Seasick Steve: Ramblin' Man. Among those claims are that Wold is really Steven Leach, a session musician who has performed in various acts over the years, including Shanti, a transcendental meditation band from 1972 and, most shockingly, as frontman for Crystal Grass, a French disco act from the mid-70s! Wright's research says Seasick Steve's hobo period may have happened, but was far more temporary than the blues musician previously claimed.

IS THIS THE REAL SEASICK STEVE?

Among the author's claims is that Seasick Steve is actually 10 years younger than he originally claimed and has been a session man in the music industry since the early 70's. Wright claims Steve has performed or worked with Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Modest Mouse and even spent time with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. ...And that's on top of the disco peroid when he briefly lived in France!

So was this whole act a fraud or just an exaggeration of Steve's actual past?

Sean O’Hagan noted in an Observer article, “The trajectory of his life since [1973] is hazy and, one suspects, he plays down the semi-settled years, sensing correctly that his mainly young audience prefer the myth to the reality.”

Seasick Steve realized the kids needed an old hero who didn't play slick music.

Hmm...Robert Zimmerman reinvented himself into Bob Dylan and he followed it up by bringing the goods. It appears Seasick Steve has done the same.

One peculiar observation on this whole story is the fact that Matthew Wright's book has been on the market since June, but the news is only breaking now, right as Seasick Steve releases his much awaited album, Keepin' The Horse Between Me and the Ground. The double record set features more of Steve's homemade music on two records, including a cover of John Hartford's "Gentle On My Mind."

Fan response to the book has been mostly negative, with reviewers unhappy that Wright didn't bother to interview old bandmates, an ex-wife or other people in the industry. Apparently, Wright relies mostly on newspaper clippings as his sources.

To get even more info on these revelations, check out The Guardian's article.

Personally, I'm going to buy the new album and play it loud. Also, I may have to go record shopping to find the Crystal Grass and Shanti albums so I can complete my collection.

...because sometimes a legend is more powerful than the truth.

-Shane Speal, "King of the Cigar Box Guitar"

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Hammonds on October 3, 2016 at 5:59am

Well written for sure

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Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on October 3, 2016 at 6:08am

I'll take legend any day! Plus, even if the book is correct that's a powerful story and most of us wouldn't have believed it if Steve had told it! Now I gotta go hop a train.

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Permalink Reply by FretMonkey on October 3, 2016 at 6:25am

Seasick Steve is an entertainer. I am entertained. I don't care how we arrived at this winning relationship; I'm just happy to be entertained by the entertainer.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Ross on October 3, 2016 at 7:25am

If he was indeed also a successful session musician that actually makes me respect him even more.

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Permalink Reply by MrGranousty on October 4, 2016 at 4:06am

Alice Cooper has a very good handicap at golf playing

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Smith on October 3, 2016 at 8:14am

It's about the music, not the back story.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff "Sweet T" Tinsley on October 3, 2016 at 10:24am

Agreed, Erasmo Coco.
Bob Dylan took a stage name. He didn't claim to be an orphaned protestant, rescued from nomadic moors after his missionary group was ravaged by plague.
I wouldn't be bothered at all if Disco Steve had reinvented his STAGE persona and added the sobriquet "Seasick".
I like his music, but I bought his music because I was supporting an old guy who finally made it after years of difficult life.
If the story proves true, Seasick Steve is just the Lance Armstrong of the music biz.

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Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on October 3, 2016 at 1:37pm

Well you can tell by the way I use my walk I'm a bluesman no time to talk

Music loud from my three string crown, it's been kicked around to make it look worn.

Well it's alright, it's ok, disco was the other day.

Try to understand, if you can, a C B G sits in my hand.

Baby I'm a rocker and a blues riff plucker and I'm staying alive, saying a lie

Money I've been taking and now the story's breaking but I'm staying alive, saying a lie

Ha ha ha ha staying alive, saying a lie
Ha ha ha ha saying a lie...

Just a bit of fun. I like his music, who cares what he was doing in the 70-s 80's etc.

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Permalink Reply by turtlehead on October 3, 2016 at 3:06pm

Hmm...I want to believe the Seasick Steve story, so it's a little disappointing if true. His music stands on its own as rootsy and authentic without the hobo mythology.

The story of a guy who was grinding it in the music industry for decades before deciding to go for broke and strip it down to 3 strings and a stomp box is probably more interesting actually.

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Permalink Reply by Cigar Box Nation on October 3, 2016 at 4:16pm

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Permalink Reply by Bob Harrison on October 4, 2016 at 1:29am

What an inspiring story, I think I'll re-invent myself into a success. I got stories and love Sea Sick Steve..

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Permalink Reply by Mark Bliss on October 4, 2016 at 5:41am

Well.....

First, my opinion is that it matters not one hair on a rodents hind end.

But this isn't the first time his stories have been challenged on his hobo and prison stories, including by some who apparently might have some knowledge of the facts.

But yeah, I don't care. And I kind of assumed it was widely considered that it was a bit. A character. Part of his act ya know? He has been known to get a little agitated about it when challenged on it though.

I can tell you one thing I do know, he has a history of owning and driving some finer cars than would fit his story. And having seen the episode of Fifth gear where he does a challenge lap on a road course...... Man can drive too!