Steve Martin Caro
Carmelo Esteban "Steve" Martin Caro (born October 12, 1948), is an American rock musician who was originally known as Steve Martin. He is best known as the original lead singer of the 1960s baroque pop band The Left Banke.[1] The son of flamenco guitarist/vocalist Sarita Heredia, he added his family surname Caro in the 1980s to avoid confusion with Steve Martin, the comedian, author, musician and actor of the same name.
With The Left Banke, Caro scored chart hits with "Walk Away Renée," "Pretty Ballerina" and "Desiree" in the 1966-68 period. In addition to providing most of the lead vocals on Left Banke recordings, Caro occasionally made instrumental contributions as well, performing guitar and/or drums on various songs. He was also credited (along with Michael Brown) for the tracks "Two By Two" and "Love Songs in the Night," written and recorded with Banke members. They appear on the Buddha Records soundtrack for the 1972 adult film Hot Parts.[2][3]
The Left Banke reunion
The current operating version of The Left Banke features two original members: Steve Martin Caro and George Cameron. On March 18, 2015, it was announced that original vocalist Steve Martin Caro officially rejoined the current touring version of The Left Banke. However, as of a year later, Steve Martin Caro has never been seen performing with The Left Banke publicly in the 21st century. Photos on The Left Banke official Facebook and Twitter pages displayed Steve with George. A few 2015 dates featured co-headliner Ian Lloyd of Stories. The band's Facebook page lists a reputedly active roster which includes one original member, George Cameron, recognizable by his cowboy garb. No documented sighting of Caro has occurred (no sources of a sighting are cited). At that point, Caro had not been seen appearing with any current group. Only one day after the online announcement that Steve Martin Caro returned to the band, which never occurred onstage, it was announced that Caro's longtime friend and bandmate Michael Brown died at age 65.
In January 2018, it was announced on the official Facebook page operated by Steve Martin Caro and George Cameron that they were planning a tour. Several photos of Steve Martin Caro rehearsing with George Cameron and guitarist Sam Kogon were posted with a message which stated "it was Steve's first time behind the microphone in over 15 years. We went through and workshopped much of the Left Banke catalog."
George Cameron died from cancer at the age of 70 on June 24, 2018, according to a post by Tom Finn on the Left Banke's official Facebook page. Tom Feher died from a heart attack on August 6, 2018.
References
- ^ Wilson, Scott (2016-08-22). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. (2 volume set). McFarland. ISBN 9781476625997.
- ^ Bob Hyde (April 11, 2000). "The Kama Sutra/Buddah Records Story". Album Discographies. Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ Ferguson, Jay. "Track of the Day: 'Love Songs In the Night'". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
External links
- Official Facebook page for The Left Banke operated by Steve Martin Caro & George Cameron
- Official Twitter page for The Left Banke operated by Steve Martin Caro & George Cameron
- LeftBanke.nu Left Banke Fansite with videos, pictures, discography, Leftbankeisms, and more
- The Left Banke Fan Page
- The Left Banke Smash Sessions, Montage, Christopher & The Chaps
- New posts with 2018 reunion photos for The Left Banke Official Facebook page operated by Steve Martin Caro & George Cameron