Steve Katz is known as a founding member of Blood, Sweat & Tears as well as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and author.
Steve shares incredible stories from a career that spans more than six decades, taking listeners inside the birth of folk-rock, the Greenwich Village music scene, the formation of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Woodstock, Monterey Pop and beyond.
Steve recalls his early days studying under folk and blues legends Dave Van Ronk and Reverend Gary Davis, spending time with Mississippi John Hurt, and joining Danny Kalb’s influential band The Blues Project.
He describes the excitement of discovering electric music in the mid-1960s and how that experience eventually led him to help create one of the most innovative bands of the era.
The conversation explores the formation of Blood, Sweat & Tears with Al Kooper, the decision to incorporate a horn section, and the band’s meteoric rise following the arrival of vocalist David Clayton-Thomas.
Steve discusses the enormous success of hits including “Spinning Wheel,” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” and “And When I Die,” as well as the Grammy-winning album that made the band international stars.
Listeners will also hear fascinating stories about performing at Monterey Pop Festival, the realities of Woodstock, sharing food backstage with Jimi Hendrix, meeting Otis Redding, and navigating the political pressures that resulted in Blood, Sweat & Tears undertaking a controversial State Department tour of Eastern Europe during the Nixon era.
Steve also opens up about leaving Blood, Sweat & Tears, producing Lou Reed, working with Beatles producer George Martin, his years in the record business, discovering new artists, passing on U2, and why he remains grateful for every twist and turn in his extraordinary career.
The episode also highlights Steve’s memoir, Blood, Sweat and My Rock ‘n’ Roll Years, and his continuing work as a musician and creative artist.
A fascinating listen for music fans of all generations.
