Doug Stegmeyer | |
|---|---|
 Stegmeyer in 1976 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Douglas Alan Stegmeyer |
| Born | (1951-12-23)December 23, 1951 Flushing, Queens New York City, New YorkU.S. |
| Origin | New York City |
| Died | August 25, 1995(1995-08-25) (aged 43) Smithtown, New York |
| Genres | Rock, pop |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, vocals |
| Years active | 1966–1995 |
| Labels | Columbia |
Douglas Alan Stegmeyer (December 23, 1951 – August 25, 1995) was an American musician who was best known as a bassist and back-up vocalist forBilly Joel. Stegmeyer also performed as bassist forDebbie Gibson andHall & Oates.
Stegmeyer was born on December 23, 1951, inFlushing, Queens,New York City, New York. In high school, he metRussell Javors, who at age 15 was performing songs with childhood friendLiberty 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 theStreetlife Serenade tour. At Stegmeyer's recommendation a year and a half later, Emerson,[1] Javors, and DeVitto joined Joel in the studio for hisTurnstiles album and for the accompanying tour. Stegmeyer became a core member ofBilly Joel's band, playing bass on Joel's studio albums fromTurnstiles throughThe Bridge and on the live albumsSongs in the Attic andКОНЦЕРТ. 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 hisSmithtown, New York, home.[3][4]
On October 23, 2014, Stegmeyer was posthumously inducted into theLong Island Music Hall of Fame, along with Topper and Joel bandmatesRichie Cannata, DeVitto, and Javors. The four were inducted primarily for their work with Joel.[5]
WithBilly Joel
WithPhoebe Snow
WithMelanie
WithHall & Oates
WithDebbie Gibson
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