On October 27, 2008 our good friend Steve Hoard passed away of congestive heart failure in Redlands, California. He was 58 years old. Steve left an indelible mark on the Inland Empire music scene and around the world, where his musical legacy has continued to find a small but appreciative audience.
Steve’s musical adventures began with the Bushmen in 1964, a group that also included his younger brother David. One of their first gigs was as opening act for the Rolling Stones at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino in 1965. The group became hugely popular in the Inland Empire, changing their name to the Bush, and releasing three singles, two of which were big local hits: “Feeling Sad and Lonely” in late 1965, and “Who Killed the Ice Cream Man?” at the end of 1966.
The Bush
After the Bush broke up in 1967, Steve went on to join the Light along with former members of the Bush and the Northside Moss. A&M Records released the Light’s only single, “Music Box” / “Back Up,” that summer and it was another local smash. Despite their enormous potential, the Light went their separate ways at the end of 1967. Forty years later, it gave UT Records great pride to release Turn on the Light, an anthology CD featuring the Light’s unreleased recordings, as well Got BUSH if You Want It, a CD of rare and unreleased music by the Bush. Both CDs received excellent reviews from music critics around the world.
The Light
Steve and other ex-members of the Light, including his longtime friend Greg Eckler, went on to form White Pepper and eventually Cock Robin. In 1969 Steve flew to England to join Glenn Ross Campbell in the second edition of the Misunderstood, recording more exceptional music for Fontana Records, including “Tuff Enough” and the psychedelic classic "Golden Glass." Eventually Steve returned to California where he rejoined Cock Robin, but went back to the UK again in 1970, this time to join Joe Jammer. When the Joe Jammer project didn’t work out, Steve came back to San Bernardino. During the ‘70s he was the front man for several editions of Cock Robin, playing everything from R&B and funk to hard rock. He relocated to Hawaii for a short while in the late ‘70s, where he played with a nightclub band, A Sure Thing, with ex-Light and Cock Robin guitarist Bob Anglin. He was soon back in San Bernardino, though, where he had some local success in the 1980s with the heavy rock group Shag Nasty.
Steve kept a low profile in the 1990s and 2000s, but he continued to write songs, and would emerge occasionally to jam with friends, usually on harmonica. While he was most known for his natural charisma and soulful, expressive voice, Steve was also a formidable blues harp player. Music was always at the center of his existence and I believe he sometimes found it hard to make his way in the ‘real’ world, outside of music. Steve was a very private person, but he was always great company: sweet and sensitive, but with a wicked sense of humor. He will be missed.
1968	Steve with UT
A memorial and musical celebration is being planned for the near future. Watch this space for details when they become available.
- Mike Stax
uglythingsmag@gmail.com