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King, Steve, Born 1933

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: Born 1933

Biography

Steve King was a British Al Jolson impresonator performing a song and comedy act in the variety and music hall scene.

Born Barrie Wilson, in Hull, he changed his name to Steve King.

During the war, Steve's family ran a theatrical guest house where Uncle George and Auntie Beryl, George Formby and his wife, were regular visitors.

At 14, Steve became a trainee projectionist. In the 1950s.

Steve began to play working men's clubs and was "discovered" by talent-spotting presenter Carroll Levis. He sang Al Jolson style after being told he sounded like the legendary singer. A cruise ship job in 1972 opened up the American market for Steve, who spend the following year performing in Las Vegas where he met Frank Sinatra, who praised his performance. He also topped the bill at the London Palladium.

Steve married Desiree, a descendent of the renowned Blackpool Delvaine Royal Marionette company, formed in the mid-1850s.They had two children, Stephanie b.1981 who went into circus and Danniel b.1983, who went into music.

Steve retired in 2002, aged 69 having given his final performance at the Darwen Library Theatre that year.

Found in 19 Collections and/or Records:

Adam Smith Centre Kirkcaldy, Fife Poster, 18 February 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.162
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King, Special guest, Charlie Williams. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 18 February 1980

An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends Poster, Week commencing 8 October 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.1004
Scope and Contents

Kings Theatre, Edinburgh. Steve King, Reg Dixon. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: Week commencing 8 October 1979

Babes in the Wood Poster, 11 - 20 December c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.340
Scope and Contents

Theatre Royal, St. Helens. Roy Lester, Steve King, John Warwick, Barbara Jackson, Alan Kent and Johnny Laine. Red and green.

Dates: 11 - 20 December c1970 - 1979

Charles Taylor Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0069
Scope and Contents

The Charles Taylor collection is a fine example of Taylor’s of Wombwell printers’ posters, which highlight changes in printing techniques, fashion and taste within the popular entertainment industry. Included are examples of posters for pantomimes, fairs and circuses. The collection also contains handbills and other advertising material.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

City Varieties Leeds Poster, 25 - 27 October c1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.153
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 25 - 27 October c1979

Eden Court Inverness Poster, 25 - 26 March 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.161
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Marigold Sisters, Lee Sheraton, Beryl Johnson, Reed Delroy and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 25 - 26 March 1980

Kings Theatre Edinburgh Poster, 8 October 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.154
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Reg Dixon. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 8 October 1979

Kings Theatre Edinburgh Poster, Week commencing Saturday 8 October 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.250
Scope and Contents

An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends portrayed by Steve King with Reg Dixon. Red and Black type on yellow background.

Dates: Week commencing Saturday 8 October 1979

Oversize Mixed Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1960 - 1980

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.1000-1004 and 178R11.1101-1105
Scope and Contents

Oversize mixed posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: c1960 - 1980

Palace Theatre Redditch Poster, 7 - 9 April c1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.156
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Lee Sheraton, Reed and Delroy, Ben Johnson and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 7 - 9 April c1980

Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth Poster, 21 April 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.157
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King, Special Guest, Tony Melody, comedian. Red and black type on yellow background with photo.

Dates: 21 April 1980

Pavillion Theatre Glasgow Poster, 21 April 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.159
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King, Special Guest, Tony Melody, comedian. Red and black type on yellow background with photo.

Dates: 21 April 1980

Posters, c1937 - 1989

 Series
Reference code: 178R11
Scope and Contents

A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

Spa Theatre Bridlington Poster, 29 March 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.160
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Marigold Sisters, Lee Sheraton, Beryl Johnson, Reed Delroy and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 29 March 1980

Sunderland Empire Theatre Poster, 10 March 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.155
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 10 March 1980

Sunderland Empire Theatre Poster, 10 March 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.163
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Marigold Sisters, Lee Sheraton, Beryl Johnson, Reed Delroy and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 10 March 1980

The Al Jolson Show, The Good Olde Days, Search for a Star Poster, 24 May 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.1001
Scope and Contents

Embassy, Skegness. Steve King, Ben Warriss, Michael Chivers and Vera Bennett, The Two Manderinos, Ray Dawson, Janice Suttons’s Minstrel Belles. Red and green type on yellow background.

Dates: 24 May 1980

Variety and Music Hall Poster Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1950 - 1989

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.150-214, 178R11.250
Scope and Contents

Variety and Music Hall poster printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, including pantomimes and wrestling shows in theatre venues.

Dates: c1950 - 1989

Winter Gardens Pavillion Blackpool Poster, 6 April 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.158
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King, Special Guest, Tony Melody, comedian. Red and black type on yellow background with photo.

Dates: 6 April 1980