Stephen Street was born in London in 1960. He started his musical career in the late seventies playing in various bands around London, culminating with playing bass in ska/pop group BIM, (a group also featuring Cameron McVey who went on to produce Neneh Cherry and Massive Attack). BIM self-imploded and, frustrated with his progression as a musician in a band, Stephen decided to turn his hand to record engineering and production. Encouraged by the careers of engineer/producer types like Steve Lillywhite, Martin Hannett and Martin Rushent, he attempted to follow suit. Hearing of a job at Island Records Fallout Shelter Studio in Hammersmith, he went along for an interview and 24 hours later landed the job of assistant engineer. Working in the wonderfully invigorating and inspiring atmosphere at Island, Stephen worked his way up to house engineer - it was at Island that Stephen first met The Smiths.
In 1984 Stephen began work on the first of his three albums for The Smiths and continued to work with The Smiths until they split in 1987. Subsequently, he worked as a co-writer and Producer of Morrissey’s debut solo album ‘Viva Hate’, which entered the UK charts at No. 1. Stephen continued to co-write and produce with Morrissey over the next 18 months together with producing albums/tracks for a variety of artists including Durutti Column, The Psychedelic Furs, and The Triffids. He also started a new record label with journalist Jerry Smith, The Foundation Label, which released records by Bradford, The Caretaker Race and Spin (who later evolved into Gene).
In early 1991 Stephen met and worked with Blur for the first time and recorded ‘There’s No Other Way’, Blur’s first top ten hit. This was the start of a long working relationship with Blur spanning 5 albums including the multi-platinum selling ‘Parklife’ which won the 1994 Q Award for Best Album. In June 1994 Stephen started another successful working relationship, producing the debut album by The Cranberries, ‘Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We’. The album went to No. 1 in the U.K charts as well as achieving massive success in the U.S and worldwide charts. He then went on to produce their multi-million seller follow-up album, ‘No Need To Argue’ and, in 2018 helped the band complete their Grammy nominated album 'In the End' after the sad passing of Dolores O'Riordan.
In 2020 Stephen received the prestigious ‘Outstanding Contribution to UK Music’ award from the Music Producers Guild.
During his prestigious career Stephen has continued to work successfully with many exciting acts from the ‘UK’s Alternative’ music scene including Babyshambles, Sleeper, The Ordinary Boys, New Order, The Maccabees, The Mystery Jets, The Zutons, Graham Coxon, The Courteeners, Steve Mason, The Rails and Kaiser Chiefs
