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.

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