Once upon a time I was someone else

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By Bard of Ely


Legendary Steve Andrews artwork and posters

Artwork by Sioned
Artwork by Sioned
Legendary Steve Andrews poster designed by Glyn Groves
Legendary Steve Andrews poster designed by Glyn Groves
Chapter Arts Centre poster for a gig by the Legendary Steve Andrews supported by the Megaton Men
Chapter Arts Centre poster for a gig by the Legendary Steve Andrews supported by the Megaton Men
Original Dive In Deep cassette cover artwork
Original Dive In Deep cassette cover artwork

My life as the Legendary Steve Andrews

Once upon a time not so very long ago I was someone else. I wasn't known as I am now as the Bard of Ely but was known as the Legendary Steve Andrews or simply The Legend.

These names still are official in my PRS royalty collection details and I used to be referred to by these monikers when I was a guest on local radio and on posters advertising my gigs back in Cardiff, the Welsh city where I was born and bred.

This was back in the '90s before Big Issue Cymru decided to dub me the Bard of Ely. So I have had two lives and identities within the same life. It's a bit confusing but I have got used to coping with it!

At the Myspace and Facebook social networking sites several old friends from that time period have come back into my life recently, including a woman artist I know as Sioned but who is choosing to be called Blodwen at Myspace. Amazingly she still has some old posters for my gigs back at the Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, Cardiff, which was a venue I used to often play at. The posters can be viewed in the gallery of my new site.

Sioned is going to be helping out with artwork for forthcoming releases. I am already using a new picture of hers as my artist image at the Myspace site.

My friend Alan Craw, who runs a fanzine and record label as well as many other projects, recently got back in touch too and Alan said he could remaster all my old cassette recordings into WAV and mp3s so they could be re-released on CD format. In particular, there was an album that went out on tape called Dive in Deep, and it was actually a best-seller on Mick Magic's Music & Elsewhere underground tape label.

So inspired by all these friends coming back into my life as well as the news of Alan's proposal, I decided to create a new Myspace site to celebrate my songs and friends from that period. It has been a lot of fun creating it and has quite a number of the acts, who used to be part of the music scene in South Wales back when I was the Legendary Steve Andrews.

A local journalist then, by the name of Dave Owens, once called me "South Wales most cosmic hippy guru" in a review in the South Wales Echo. I never really liked being called a hippy but as I began my quest for fame and fortune as a singer-songwriter and rock star I was happy to forgive him and enjoy the publicity.

Welcome to my past life and the songs I used to sing!

 

Comments

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Aya Katz profile image

Aya Katz  says:
11 months ago

Bardy of Ely, thanks for sharing your music. I liked your Reality Song best!

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Thank you, Aya! I used to enjoy doing that song too and it only had two chords so I couldn't go wrong with that! lol There is a new version that has five chords that a friend came up with.

laringo profile image

laringo  says:
11 months ago

Thanks for sharing. I admit, some of your music is a little different then I'm use to, but very good, The older I 've gotten, my music horizons have broaden. I look forward to listening to more with my husband who is instantly a fan. You are a talented individual.

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Thank you, Laringo!

The older I've got the more types of music I can enjoy too and I have recently surprised myself by really enjoyng the material of a hip hop and rap artist called Mikey J! Usually that style of music does nothing for me.

Lynda  says:
11 months ago

You will always be The Legendary Steve Andrews to me! Remember the back-drop I made you for Chapter bar? Remember singing 'Stand By Me' and we all stood on stage with you?!

We all need Real Reality!

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

What a lovely surprise hearing from you, Lynda! Thank you for posting and being so involved in the gigs back then! :)

Writer Rider profile image

Writer Rider  says:
11 months ago

I loved that song "The Same." Very, very talented. I'm surprised that song is not on the radio.

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Thank you very much, Writer Rider. I wish it was!

roastedpinebark profile image

roastedpinebark  says:
11 months ago

Bard of Ely, I really look up to you as I am also a singer and songwriter. This hub was very interesting, it always made me curious what having another identity would be like. Thank you for your music and hubs!

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Thank you for your compliments!

TheMoneyGuy profile image

TheMoneyGuy  says:
11 months ago

It is a pleasure to be in the Comany of a Legend! Good hub, better music. Thank you

TMG

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Thank you very much, TMG!

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl  says:
11 months ago

Being from Cardiff, how did you end up associated with Ely?

countrywomen profile image

countrywomen  says:
11 months ago

Both the reality and always look so fine songs I could connect to. I wish I could see the lyrics of all these songs as then I would be able to follow all the songs better. Nice Musical hub.

Amanda Severn profile image

Amanda Severn  says:
11 months ago

Hi Bard,

This was different! I'm so used to your nature hubs, but it's good to hear some of your music. I like the song about Piss-off Pete. Interesting lyrics!

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Thank you for your feedback, LondonGirl, CountryWomen and Amanda!

LondonGirl, I spent 25 years living in Ely council estate in cardiff and whilst a writer for the Big Issue they dubbed me Bard of Ely.

Countrywomen, I can't type the lyrics here because they already exist on my soundclick site - http://www.soundclick.com/bardofely and in some cases elsewhere but I much appreciate your interest.

 

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl  says:
11 months ago

Thanks for letting me know, I just wondered.

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Quite a few people think it is Ely in Cambridge and I have to point out that it is in fact Ely in Wales! Some ask if it is Elee or Eleye (as in eye). Shakin' Steven came from the Cardiff Ely.

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl  says:
11 months ago

I assumed you meant Ely in Cambridgeshire as well, my bad (-:

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

LOL!

Lynda  says:
11 months ago

I've just remembered the life and death of the Rubber Ducky!

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Yes, that was memorable! lol

Peggy W profile image

Peggy W  says:
11 months ago

You have certainly led an interesting life to date! Look forward to reading more of your articles.

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
11 months ago

Thank you, Peggy!

neophytebevs profile image

neophytebevs  says:
10 months ago

Hey! I wanna hear you! You are great man... :D

Bard of Ely profile image

Bard of Ely  says:
10 months ago

Thanks for the compliments, neophytebevs!

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