Stephen H. Steward

Stephen H. Steward, age 72, of Interlaken, NY passed away on June 17, 2025.

Music lovers around the world have responded to Steve Steward’s songs. From an early age in Berwick, Pennsylvania, Steve’s talents were encouraged by his mother, L. Jeanne (Snyder) Steward, and father, Glenn W. Steward. A lefty, Steve could play anything, self-taught.

In the Berwick High School Band Steve played trombone, passed down from his brother, Gale A. Steward (since deceased). Steve was also the first person allowed to play an electrified instrument onstage with the school’s concert band.

Steve is survived by his beloved sisters, Connie Webb and Penny (Dave Martin) Steward; beloved niece Shawna (Joseph) Szido and sister-in-law Joanne Steward; cousins, aunts and uncles; brother-in-law Bob (Julie) Giffen; wife, Susan; and many dear friends. He was pre-deceased by sister-in-law Diana (Jon) Bartelds; and by brother-in-law Dave Webb, whose maple-sugaring Steve honored with a song.

Burial will be private at Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken, New York.

Steve’s experience at Woodstock in 1969 changed his life.

Steve stayed in touch with high school friends from his band, Strange Brew. He attended Cornell University, where he also developed life-long friendships with dorm-mates who formed the bands Ezra and then Headwind, known for tight three-part harmony. Band members joined new ones in Orion and the Avalon Ballroom Band.

Steve’s public performances ranged from his childhood church choir to such venues as Madison Square Garden, before tens of thousands of Rock and Roll Revival fans. With the Bobby Comstock Band he played bass with vintage acts at Radio City Music Hall, The Beacon Theatre, Boston Garden and Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena. His particular pride came from playing bass for Chuck Berry, when – performing Johnny B. Goode – Chuck turned to Steve and said, “Man, I love the way you play that bass. You drive me, man, you drive me.” This became the basis for Steve’s song “Drivin’ Johnny B.”

Steve wrote his first song at age five. He has been writing, recording and drawing ever since, available at stewardsongs.com, with info about Steve’s band members and performances with rock legends. Retired from live gigs, Steve wrote and recorded songs, crossing genres, under the name Steward’s Eclectric, and the fanciful names of band members were all actually Steve playing.

As owner of an organic farm and orchard, Steve sponsored a championship bowling team, Wild Bird Lefties, at Richard’s in Trumansburg, NY. His interests have included indigenous life; Dodge pickup trucks; auto racing; wildlife and pet rescues; old cartoons, 50’s tv, comedies, westerns; history; and ancient alien theory. All inform his art.

Steve’s love of the lady he met at Cornell, Susan, and fascination with trains showed in their honeymoon trip around the USA on Amtrak, especially the legendary Coast Starlight.

Steve’s voice was silenced by heart failure, a misnomer for a man of generous heart. Steve’s songs live.