Goodbye Vernon Steele, music's man of steel
PETALING JAYA : Veteran entertainer Vernon Steele was a true man of steel whose relentless spirit helped shape Malaysia's pop scene for decades.
Even as chronic illness weakened his body and medical bills piled up, Steele's determination never faltered.
Weekends found him busking in shopping malls alongside his 1970s Illusion Revival bandmate K Poobalan, refusing to let adversity dull his musical flame.
Vernon Steele and K Poobalan (right) as buskers. (K Poobalan pic)
When they reunited in 2020 to busk together, Poobalan witnessed firsthand how Steele weathered escalating health and financial crises without losing his passion for music.
'Music was where his heart lay,' said Poobalan.
Fellow musicians marvelled not at what Steele had lost, but at the spark he still carried, a spark that illness or circumstance could not extinguish.
In 2024, Steele's resilience faced its harshest test. Diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the progressive lung condition gradually stole his breath.
Last November, a severe infection in his right leg led to amputation, plunging him into a cycle of hospital stays and surgeries.
On Thursday, just weeks before his 73rd birthday, Steele passed away, leaving a legacy defined more by unbreakable will than by his once-fiery performances.
Malaysia's Rod Stewart
Often dubbed 'Malaysia's Rod Stewart', Steele never chased Stewart's style.
His true idol was Cliff Richard, whose clean-cut image and melodic sensibility guided Steele's own stage persona.
Richard once said that music is as essential as breath itself, and Steele lived that conviction to the very end.
Vernon Steele (second from left) with the Asylum band in the 1970s. (Rodney Steele)
Steele's rise began in the early 1970s. He first made waves as the charismatic frontman for local groups, captivating audiences in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
Over the years, Steele's place in the club circuit seemed unshakeable, fronting bands like the Illusion Revival, Ages, Asylum, Essence, T-Junction and the Strollers.
With the Strollers, he performed together with his guitarist-vocalist son Rodney while they were still a duo known as Men of Steele.
'Those moments will forever be cherished,' Rodney recalled of their electrifying father-and-son performances.
The Men of Steele, Vernon Steele (left) and his son Rodney, who performed as a duo. (Rodney Steele)
Tributes poured in after Steele's passing. A Radha Krishnan, former frontman of The Ages, remembered Steele as 'a wonderful friend and a charming singer,' lamenting the loss of a peer who sang 'with unwavering conviction.'
Radha recalled Steele was in the last lineup of the Ages that performed in South Korea.
The other members were Matthew Miranda (drums), Stevie Skelchy (keyboards), Mervin Jayatilaka (lead guitar), Lawrence David (bass), all of whom have since passed away.
Jude Singho, leader of Os Pombos, praised Steele's distinct sound that resonated for over 50 years and his devotion to music until his final days.
He said Steele's story also sheds light on a broader issue: the precarious situation of Malaysia's elder musicians.
Honouring veteran musicians
Many veterans grapple with health issues, dwindling incomes, and mounting obstacles to finding gigs.
Steele was fortunate that fellow artistes and fans rallied to his aid.
In September last year, charity group We Love, We Care, We Share raised more than RM11,000 for his medical expenses.
At the fundraiser, Steele joined in on a few choruses, smiling as he sang and saying, 'It felt good to sing a few lines on the road to my recovery.'
To truly honour Steele's legacy is to recognise the vital role elder musicians play in safeguarding cultural memory and musical heritage.
Their contributions require more than fleeting applause; they need real, ongoing support.
On July 5, Musicians for Musicians will host a concert to aid musicians in need, a fitting tribute to Steele's example of perseverance.
Vernon Steele's legend lies not only in the stages he lit up, but in the untiring spirit he displayed.
His passing is a poignant reminder: while artistes give us the gift of music, they also deserve our gratitude, respect, and care while they are still here to witness it.
The wake for Vernon Steele will be at Paul Miki Room, Church of St Francis Xavier, Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya from 10am-10pm daily.
The funeral mass will be held at 10 am on June 10 followed by cremation at MBPJ Crematorium, Kg Tunku, Petaling Jaya.
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