King, Steve, Born 1933
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:
Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth Poster, 21 April 1980
‘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.
Pavillion Theatre Glasgow Poster, 21 April 1980
‘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.
Posters, c1937 - 1989
A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.
Spa Theatre Bridlington Poster, 29 March 1980
‘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.
Sunderland Empire Theatre Poster, 10 March 1980
‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.
Sunderland Empire Theatre Poster, 10 March 1980
‘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.
The Al Jolson Show, The Good Olde Days, Search for a Star Poster, 24 May 1980
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.
Variety and Music Hall Poster Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1950 - 1989
Variety and Music Hall poster printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, including pantomimes and wrestling shows in theatre venues.
Winter Gardens Pavillion Blackpool Poster, 6 April 1980
‘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.