The life of the diminutive but powerful figure of Steve Marriott has been brought to life with the release of The Life and Times of Steve Marriott by Cleopatra Entertainment. This package includes a BLU RAY Disc, a Standard definition DVD and bonus Audio CD all cleverly brought together on a nifty digi box set.

Marriott is the legendary singer / songwriter behind The Small Faces and Humble Pie. For almost all of his life he was ripped off what with bad record label deals left right and centre of him, he eventually lived out the latter part of his life playing small pubs and clubs whilst others he had worked with including Pete Frampton went around the world receiving honours and praise. Yet the body of Marriott has left behind is of the highest order.

All Or Nothing, Tin Soldier, Get Yourself Together and Autumn Stone remain defining rock anthems, the explosion of The Small Faces cannot be discredited for influencing a wave of bedroom rock stars to actually fulfil their dreams and go on to legendary rock status themselves. Paul Weller, Robert Plant, Rod Stewart and many many more were influences by this period of Marriott’s life, particularly the show stopping voice than Marriott had.

When people think of a list of the best white soul singers that originated from the British isles on the list are Eric Burden of The Animals, Chris Farlow, Reg King of The Action and Steve Marriott. Marriott simply busted a gut when he churned out a lyric with The Small Faces. Listen to his energy on What’cha Gonna Do About It, Tin Soldier and Afterglow and fail to be mesmerised by this complete devotion to his work. Compelling, passionate and simply meaning it are undeniable traits of the man at this time.

His time with Humble Pie on some levels even more career defining as he went on to conquer America with the all-star line up. Some may feel he lost some of his credibility at this time, but as classic rock bands go Humble Pie achieved big success along with the likes of other British imports of the early 70’s including Led Zeppelin, The Who and Fleetwood Mac.

The documentary contained within features a star studded line up, which proves how much the man is held in lofty esteemed from his fellow musicians. Chris Robinson from The Black Crowes, Rick Nielsen and Bun E Carlos of Cheap Trick, Simon Kirke drummer with Free, Marriott historian John Hillier and former Humber Pie band mates Peter Frampton, Jerry Shirley and Greg Ridley all feature to heap praise on their departed friend and unsung hero. There are also unseen photos, memorabilia plus rarely seen footage of Marriott at his fiery best.

With a live audio concert also on the offering in the set featuring many of his well-known songs including Natural Born Woman, Lazy Sunday and I Don’t Need No Doctor this is a definitive look back on this marvellous talent whose light shone all too briefly but whose legacy hasn’t ever faded simply because class is permanent, as is Steve Marriott.

The Life and Times of Steve Marriott can be purchased from the Cleopatra Entertainment website.