The man, the legend, the progressive funk metal star – Steve Bello!
Steve started tinkering on guitar at age 9 but didn’t take it seriously until the age of 12. That’s when he saw a video of Jimi Hendrix at Monterey, as well as Ritchie Blackmore with Rainbow on MTV. Both pieces of footage made him think “I have to play guitar for life now!”
Played in various bands in high school and college, turned professional in 1988 shortly after graduating high school. Studied music theory and played in the college jazz band where he earned an Associate degree in Music from Bergen Community College in 1991.
In 2003, Steve was granted an endorsement with Ibanez guitars, and from there, began his career as an instrumental musician. Has released seven albums and four non-album singles since 2003, as well as racked up more endorsements with such brands as Orange amplifiers, GHS Strings, Spectraflex cables, Swiss Picks, Checkered Pedals (has four signature pedals with them), etc. He has opened for many national acts including Lita Ford, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Angelo Batio, Joe Lynn Turner, Blaze Bayley. Also toured as guitarist in TM Stevens’ band Shocka Zooloo.
Steve is in pre-production as of this writing, working on new music for his 8th studio album. No target date has been set but he is giving it a window of “sometime in Spring 2021”. He also signed on with KCO Promotions in Maryville, TN; Katie Orlandini is his manager (with help from her partner Craig Dowler in the UK).
All you gotta do is hear his fusion metal style of course… and in our opinion, anyone that loves Rush has gotta be the real McCoy…
Steve Bello 4.24.19 at Wonder Bar (highlights)