Introduction
Leigh Stephens is an American guitarist and songwriter best known for being former lead guitarist of the San Francisco psychedelic rock group Blue Cheer.
Blue Cheer
Stephens has recorded two albums with the band, Vincebus Eruptum and Outsideinside. He has claimed to have been the only member of the band who did not use drugs. His replacement as Blue Cheer's lead guitarist was Randy Holden.
After Blue Cheer
Stephens went on to form Silver Metre in 1969, with Pete Sears, Micky Waller (drummer), and Jack Reynolds (singer), recorded one album at Trident Studios in London, England, released on the National General Records, produced by their manager, FM rock radio pioneer Tom Donahue.
His 1971 album, And a Cast of Thousands featured among other musicians, his fellow bandmembers from the above-mentioned band, together with the power trio Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, together with the two sax players from If, Dave Quincey, Dick Morrissey, and Jethro Tull bassist, Glenn Cornick.
Recognition
He was ranked number 98 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Discography
With Blue Cheer
- Vincebus Eruptum (1968)
- Outsideinside (1969)
Solo
- Red Weather (1969)
- ...and a Cast of Thousands (1971)