Survivor: Jon Stevens plays Geelong on Mother’s Day.
By Cherie Donnellan
AS THE youngest of 11 siblings, Jon Stevens always made his voice heard as a child.
The rock and stage star of Scottish and Maori heritage told the Independent that music surrounded him at home in New Zealand as a “wee lad”.
“There was always music playing in the house. It was what we did as a family.
“You don’t realise it, but you just soak it in unconsciously.”
After leaving his Kiwi home Stevens’ raspy rock vocals and powerful stage presence put him in front of legendary Australian bands Noiseworks and INXS.
He won over audiences on stage as Judas in a 1992 tour of Jesus Christ Superstar as part of an Australian cast including John Farnham and Kate Ceberano.
Now Stevens said he would show a Geelong audience his “energetic” nature during a Mother’s Day gig at Deakin’s Waterfront Cafe next month.
“I like to be interactive and I want to have a good time on stage. I hope my audience will have fun too.”
Stevens said he loved growing up in an era of great music, listening to the likes of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.
Stevens joined his first band at the age of 12, playing school assemblies.
“We were s…house but it was awesome to play to a real audience anyway.”
Stevens encountered few problems performing despite being a “very shy kid”.
He considered “surviving – literally” an achievement in his own career.
“I’ve had quite an eclectic career but the main thing is I’m still here, still breathing.”
Stevens reflected on the recent death of Men at Work’s Greg Ham in Melbourne.
“Musicians are often put on a pedestal and they’re expected to perform all the time…put on a face.
“But we’re just people who want to create and be creative musically.”
Stevens said Noiseworks’ creative juices were still flowing, with the band set to complete another album.
“We’re rocking better than ever.”
Stevens believed that singing for Noiseworks made him a better performer.
“As the years go by you get better at your craft. Not to blow my own horn but I think we’re pretty damn good,” he laughed.
