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Reproduced from DMA cNovember, 1996
Excerpts from interview with Ian Anthony Stephens
by Dean Ferguson
(There's some initial discussion about his work with Hazell Dean, who then
left him to work with SAW, which he says was "a brilliant choice (on her
part) in retrospect.")
IAS: ....I was heavily influenced as a producer by Stock Aitken Waterman,
and I've always felt that they deserved more respect than they
got.
DMA: Well, you're certainly rattling the right cage with this particular
topic. Please go on.
IAS: The melodies, the productions...the edge they always seemed to have.
As a trio, they were remarkable. I was very saddened by their breakup.
It hasn't been the same since. And I think it's been only recently
that people have begun to realize how important Pete Waterman's
contribution to the trio actually was. People underestimate the
importance of Pete's part in the success of Stock Aitken
Waterman.
DMA: How so?
IAS: (One always heard stories about) how Matt and Mike did all the creative
work, while Pete took care of the business...but it was Pete who gave
them their edge. His might have been the part that made all the
difference. Even if, say, for example, 90% of the actual (studio work)
was Mike and Matt, and Pete's contribution was only 10%, it was that
10% that made the difference. Who is to say what the most important
part was? It was the sum total of the efforts of all three that made
them such phenomenal successes. I really believe that it was Pete who
made the difference. His foresight was amazing...he was the one who
told them what to do, and sometimes how to do it (which could lead to
tension). He was usually right, though...he was always looking ahead,
and around the next corner, before any of us. And his instincts were
usually right. Together the three of them had a magical quality that
(none has been able to duplicate) since going their separate ways.
It's very sad.
DMA: So does that mean that you're not fond of the recent Stock & Aitken
productions released through their new Love This label?
IAS: I didn't say that. I have tremendous respect for Mike Stock and
Matt Aitken...and, from a technical standpoint, their recent stuff
has been brilliant. Absolutely brilliant, technically...but some of
its incredibly bland. And, as I said before, it saddens me because
I was heavily influence by them ...
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