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Steve “Poppa” Mutimer began his musical career at age 8 with his first set of drums. He took lessons from Benny Goodman’s noted big band drummer, Ray Mann, until age 12.
At 15 he formed his first band, The Rhythm Kings, in hometown, Rockford, IL in 1958. The group was the first rock ‘n roll band in the city and became a huge local success for the next 3 years during high school. The Kings cut two records, both of which were regionally successful, with one tune, Maj, reaching the local Top 10 and earning a “bullet” in Billboard Magazine.
After a stint in the US Navy, Steve formed his second band, The Daze & Knights, which became a back up road band for the William Morris Agency, Chicago office, working with their hit vocalists and vocal groups of the time such as The Four Tops, Bobby Goldsboro, The Chiffons, The Crystals, Jimmy Clanton, Brian Highland, Dee Dee Sharp … to name a few. This group lasted from 1965 to 1968.
Leaving the road after 3 years and newly married, Steve went to work in local radio in Rockford and played drums in an immensely popular club band, The Exceptions, in South Beloit, Wisconsin until the mid 70s when he finally hung up his sticks.
For the next 30 years, Steve owned his own advertising agency in Rockford and later San Diego where he wrote and produced hundreds of musical scores for client jingles, AV shows and television programs. During that time he collaborated for the first 15 years with Mike Wolf of Wolftracks Music out of Indianapolis, and the next 15 years with Roger Strather and Stan Bland of A Couple Of Hitmen Music in San Diego. One of his scores won a TV EMMY for best music composition.
Finally Steve retired from the ad biz and moved to Arizona. With the advent of new musical digital technology over the past several years he furthered his musical skills even more by doing his own composing, producing and editing for personal pleasure. After much tinkering, this hobby led to seven CDs produced over the past couple of years … Dry Heat, Smooth, Grooves & Curves, We’re All In This Together, Emerald Eyes, Still Tryin' and his latest release, Smokin’.
Still getting better (after all these years) combining computer generated tracks, pre-recorded loops, and live instruments (particularly with son, DG Mattingley, on guitars), Steve hopes to continue producing a couple CDs a year for new found fans, friends, and his own enjoyment.
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