Steve Parsons

Stephen W. Parsons (born 19 June 1951, in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire), also known as Steve Parsons, Stephen Parsons, Snips, Mr. Snips, SWP, is an English musician, composer, songwriter and record producer. Career Steve Parsons debuted his musical career in the Hull scene, where (in the years 1968–1972) he played in several Beat music groups (21st Century, Spanish Leather, Flesh, Chest Fever and Nothineverappens). His talent was spotted by Island Records and, after a successful audition, he received an offer to join the newly created supergroup Sharks as lead singer and songwriter. The band included Chris Spedding and ex-Free bassist Andy Fraser. It was initially managed by Island founder Chris Blackwell. The initial album, First Water, was released in 1973. The band travelled in a Sharkmobile (a customised Pontiac LeMans with a fin on the roof and teeth on the grill) and supported Roxy Music on their first UK tour. After this tour Fraser left the band due to musical differences and he was replaced by Busta 'Cherry' Jones from Memphis, Tennessee. The band added Nick Judd on keyboards and recorded their second album Jab It in Yore Eye. Sharks successfully toured the US in 1974, but were unable to build on this as they broke up at the end of the year. As Mr. Snips, he joined the Baker Gurvitz Army in 1975 and sang on both their second album Elysian Encounter and their third Hearts on Fire. The band toured extensively in Europe and the US before breaking up. He then contributed vocals and songs to Ginger Baker's solo album Ginger Baker and Friends in 1977.