Doug Stegmeyer

Douglas Alan Stegmeyer (December 23, 1951 – August 25, 1995) was an American musician who was best known as the bassist and back-up vocalist for Billy Joel. Stegmeyer also performed as bassist for Debbie Gibson and Hall & Oates.

Doug Stegmeyer
Doug Stegmeyer in 1989
Background information
Birth nameDouglas Alan Stegmeyer
Born(1951-12-23)December 23, 1951
Flushing, Queens
New York City, New York U.S.
OriginNew York City
DiedAugust 25, 1995(1995-08-25) (aged 43)
Smithtown, New York
GenresRock, pop
Occupation(s)Musician, producer
InstrumentsBass, Vocals
Years active1966–1995
LabelsColumbia
Associated actsBilly Joel, Topper, Debbie Gibson, Hall & Oates

Biography

Stegmeyer was born on December 23, 1951, in Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York. In high school, he met Russell Javors, who at age 15 was performing songs with childhood friend Liberty DeVitto. Along with Howard Emerson, the boys formed the band Topper, which performed songs by Javors and attracted Billy Joel's attention. Joel hired Stegmeyer to play bass in his backing band on the Streetlife Serenade tour. At Stegmeyer's recommendation a year and a half later, Emerson,[1] Javors, and DeVitto joined Joel in the studio for his Turnstiles album and for the accompanying tour. Stegmeyer became a core member of Billy Joel's band, playing bass on Joel's studio albums from Turnstiles through The Bridge and on the live albums Songs in the Attic and КОНЦЕРТ. Stegmeyer was dubbed "The Sergeant Of The Billy Joel Band."[2]

Stegmeyer (and Javors) left the band in 1989; according to DeVitto, he was forced out. Stegmeyer subsequently maintained a busy schedule recording and producing.

On August 25, 1995, Stegmeyer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Smithtown, New York, home.[3][4] In an interview with 30DaysOut, DeVitto said, "I can understand why Doug ended his life. It’s hard to see someone else playing your parts, especially when it wasn’t your decision to leave the band. You give your heart and soul to the music, and then someone says 'Hey, I don’t need you anymore, but I’m keeping everything that you did'.”

Legacy

On October 23, 2014, Stegmeyer was inducted, posthumously, into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, along with his Topper and Joel bandmates Richie Cannata, DeVitto, and Javors. The four were inducted primarily for their work with Joel.[5]

See also

Credits

All albums listed are Billy Joel releases.

References
  1. piano-man.de - Archiv: "...but hey, you have to start somewhere, right?" (interview with Howie Emerson) @piano-man.de Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 8-22-2013.
  2. Long Island Music Hall of Fame Archived May 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Ex-band Leader For Billy Joel Found Dead". Spokesman-Review. 27 August 1995. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  4. Baltimore Sun Obit
  5. Gamboa, Glenn (October 23, 2014). "Billy Joel Band set to join Piano Man in Long Island Music Hall of Fame". New York Newsday. Retrieved July 14, 2016.


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