Holding Down The Bottom

The foundation of every song for Blue Steele was the Bass Guitar player Tom Irion. Tom's bass playing combined with Jim Alvey's drum playing was the best rythmn section I have ever played with in any band. Tom's solid, steady and in the pocket bass playing drove Blue Steele to become a huge success. Tom also an artist infact it was Tom that brought Mark Jarvis to the band. Tom worked during the day for the Smithsonian Institute at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. Tom also a loving father of three and a loving husband was a great family man. Tom would arrive just in time for gigs coming straight from a soccer or a hockey game. It was obvious to everyone that Tom's family was the most important thing in his life. Tom brought more than his bass playing to Blue Steele, to me Tom was the best vocalist in the band. The songs Tom brought to the band were more on the side of rock and roll than Blues. Tom loved it when people were on the dance floor dancing it would bring out the best in him. When the dance floor was full and Tom was singing one of his songs, the smile on his face was truly a site to behold. Here is Tom playing and singing on of my favorite Blue Steele tunes. Pleas enjoy Tom covering a Chuck Berry tune"Carol" off of Blue Steele's first album Hot Wired.

The Human Jukebox

The lead guitar player for Blue Steele was the best guitar player I have ever played with. A big man in many ways. When Joe Chiocca stepped out on the stage and began to play people knew they were in for a show. Living in Manassas Virginia Joe had the longest drive to come to practice and to most of our gigs. Never once did i ever hear him complain about the long drive. Joe love the Blues as much as I did him and I complimented each others playing of the Blues. Joe and I dwarfed the others in the band not just in size but with our stage presence and playing. When Joe took a guitar solo it was like his guitar became another limb of his body, the audience would be literally hypnotised by his playing. I for one would never take my eyes off of his fingers on the fret board. Joe also had a great vocal ability and could sing great. Joe has a heart comparable to his size, a loving father and husband with many friends. I remember playing a gig and people would come up and request a certain song. Joe would immediately start playing the guitar part but the rest of us not knowing the song would try to stop him. i looked over at Jim and he had look of wow on his face and said "Joe the Human Jukebox." I have never seen Joe say I don't know that song, the number of songs Joe knows is endless. Joe went on to form his own band and justifiably so is called The Joe Chiocca Band. Here is a song that showcases both Joe's Guitar playing and Joe's vocals: My Baby's Gone.

The Little Big Man

The rhythm/slide Guitar Player for Blue Steele was a little guy that was larger than life. His name was Mark Jarvis and he was the biggest man in the band. Mark being a professional Artist as a career and a Blues Musician. Mark was gifted with many talents. Mark was the best showman I have ever performed with in any Band. Mark wrote many songs. Before joining Blue Steele Mark had his on Band called Five Days, they recorded and released one album of all Mark Jarvis original tunes. Mark had heart of gold, Mark was a stay at home Dad raising two daughters working on his paintings yet finding time for his music. Mark would come to gigs dressed like a performer sometimes in a jacket and a shirt and tie. In addition to all his talents Mark was also a very good record producer. The first album Blue Steele released called Hot Wired is self evident of that. I asked Mark to paint my portrait playing the Blues, Mark loved Painting, I purchased the finished portrait from him it hangs on my wall today. The Picture you see above is that same portrait. Blue Steele released two albums and to me the first one Hot Wired is the best of the two probably because Mark was there for the first but not the second. Musicians are very temperamental. Well things were said feelings got hurt and somehow Mark was no longer a part of Blue Steele. I ran into Mark a few times after that at open mics, he never stopped playing the Blues or writing songs and recording and producing. Mark was the most professional professional. Mark was dwarfed in size by all the members of Blue Steele yet he was the biggest man in the Band. Please enjoy the Mark Jarvis Original tune of off Blue Steele's first album featuring Mark on slide guitar and vocals; Ladies and Gentlemen Mr Mark Jarvis and his song "Heart Tree"!