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Dave Stewart

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Dave Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and producer, born in 1952 in Sunderland. As a teenager he already had a record contract with the folk rock band Longdancer, on Elton John's label, but success failed to come. He then lived for years in squats in London. At the end of 1976 he met the singer Annie Lennox, with whom he also began a relationship. Together they played in The Tourists, who had a hit in 1979 with I Only Want to Be with You.

Music and breakthrough

In 1980 The Tourists broke up, and the relationship between Stewart and Lennox also ended. Even so, they continued to work together, as the duo Eurythmics. Stewart wrote the songs with Lennox and produced all the albums. Their big breakthrough came in 1983 with Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), with a drum machine and a dark synthesizer line. Many more hits followed, until the duo stopped in 1990. They later came together a few more times.

Influence

Stewart also became a much-requested producer and writer for others, such as Tom Petty, Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks and Ringo Starr. In the Netherlands he scored a number 1 hit with the saxophonist Candy Dulfer, Lily Was Here, made for the film De kassière. He won the Brit Award for best British producer three times. In 2022 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Lennox.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics. Notice the drum machine and Dave Stewart's single, constantly repeated synthesizer line in a minor key, above which Annie Lennox's cool voice sounds.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists