York musician Stevie Ze Suicide, alias Stevie Roberts, pays tribute to his friend, band member and producer Trevor Bolder, of Little Weighton, near Beverley, who died on May 21.

THE rock, pop and punk world has been shocked and saddened by the passing of East Riding bass player Trevor Bolder at the age of 62.

He was a founder member of David Bowie’s legendary Spiders From Mars line-up, who, together with Hull guitarist Mick Ronson and drummer Woody Woodmansey helped create the unique sound of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust character and influenced generations of music styles that followed.

Trevor was an extremely down to earth, kind person, as well as a phenomenal talent who, after Bowie disbanded his band, went on to join Wishbone Ash and finally Uriah Heep, where he remained happily for many years up until his death.

Most recently, Trevor was asked by Paul Weller to work with him on an album, a project that will now sadly no longer happen.

Working with him was an absolute honour and privilege for me as a huge Ziggy Stardust fan. He became an extremely close friend, as well as a great producer on my Ziggy Ze Suicide records, mostly at the studio he had built at his home in Little Weighton, sometimes at Fairview Studios in Willerby. My heart goes out to his wife Shelly and children, who he adored.

So I wanted to share with you the last photos of Trevor and me in the studio, which you can view or download for free from littlelondonrecords.com or the Steve Ze Suicide Facebook site.

I’m sure the Ziggy Stardust era touched many of us at some stage in our lives. Trevor appeared on all Bowie’s Ziggy singles and on such albums as The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars; Hunky Dory; Aladdin Sane; Pin Ups; Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture; and the great live album Santa Monica ’72.

Trevor’s legendary bass lines on tracks like John, I’m Only Dancing and Jean Genie will remain with us all forever and are his legacy to the world of rock music.

I hope you treasure all the memories of a fabulous band line-up: Trevor Bolder, Mick Ronson, Woody Woodmansey and David Bowie.

Thank you everyone in remembering Trevor Bolder 1950 - 2013 RIP.


Trevor Bolder’s funeral took place in Beverley on June 3, followed by burial at St Mary’s Church, Little Weighton. Those attending included his fellow Uriah Heep band members and Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey.