17th January 1966 – 30th March 2012
This week the gay scene lost a truly wonderful and well-respected man when Salvation promoter Steve Elliott passed away.
Born to parents Robert and Janet in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Stephen Elliott – known to the wider gay scene as ‘Steve’ – grew up in the nearby town Sutton-in-Ashfield with his sisters Jayne and Susan. He was educated at Ashfield School. His early career saw him take the position of Manager at The Yard-Limited Editions bar in Mansfield, and then as a Financial Advisor with Prudential.
He made his name on the London gay scene when he began working for Alex Erfan’s Salvation club after its second birthday in 1999. Alongside Alex, they established the brand as one of London’s most popular regular events and one of the UK’s most famous internationally recognized brands. When the club was sold to new owners, Steve and Alex parted ways with Steve continuing to work for Salvation as Director and Promoter.
Steve was key to taking the Salvation experience to over sixty countries around the world, something that his partner, Ian Durston, cites as one of his proudest achievements.
Steve and Ian met in the Coleherne pub in Earls Court, London, and had been partners since December 2003, living in Somerset for the past four years. Steve was tremendously close to his family and is described by Ian as being “the best uncle in the world to his two nephews Joseph Brown and Beau Alan Durston.”
Steve passed away on 30th March 2012 after suffering a heart attack whilst on tour with Salvation in Austria. He spent his final hours bouncing in the DJ booth, surrounded by friends and hundreds of captivated patrons, thoroughly enjoying the success of Salvation, the party that he had put his heart and soul into over the last decade.
• Funeral/memorial details will be posted on Steve’s Facebook page when arranged. People can also email his partner Ian directly to [email protected] for more information. Three services are planned in Mansfield, Somerset and London.
REMEMBERING STEVE
“I was fortunate to know Steve on a business level. It was truly inspiring to meet someone with such passion and energy for what he did. Steve was not just a promoter or a businessman. His creativity and flair made him truly unique. His personality and hard work resulted in creating memories for hundreds of thousands of people around the world – just look at his Facebook page. Steve’s work was pure, genuine and he will be dearly missed. It’s now important that we protect that legacy.”
Justin Beavis
“I’ve known Steve for 12 years now. We worked together with David Inches when he first bought Heaven from Virgin. A gentle man with a huge smile and a hearty chuckle. Always had a story. Always made me laugh. Was kind enough to offer a fledgling club promoter some of his wisdom and for that I will always be eternally grateful. Sleep well Steve. You were one of the goods ones. Clubbing will always be a little less bright without you.”
Christopher Selby-Rickards, Popcorn Promoter
“Steve was without a doubt one of the club promoters I always looked forward to seeing, and stood out as a thoroughly pleasant person to be around. He was honest, humble and charming and an absolute pleasure to work with. I had tremendous respect for him and will always remember him for a night of laughter we shared when Salvation toured in Paris. He will be immensely missed, but leaves an indelible mark on the gay scene.”
Cliff Joannou, QX Editor
“Steve and I went back about 12 years. I first met him in Cafe de Paris, him atop a ladder, mirror ball in hand, and me with my vinyl about to play my debut set at Salvation. 150-odd parties later, all over the world, through all sorts of dramas and adventures, and one of my best friends is gone. Steve was the most upbeat, kind, and generous man, and I will miss him dearly. We really have lost a shining star and the huge number of tributes to him is testament to the number of people’s lives he enriched. RIP my friend.”
Pier Morrocco
“I just wanted to say that Steve was so much more than a promoter, he was a very good friend. He believed in me when many others didn’t and he made me believe in myself. He gave me so many amazing opportunities and was always there by my side smiling. He had such a great sense of fun – no matter where he was or who he was with, there would always be laughter! He was my ‘Princess of the Night’ and I will miss him SO much!”
DJ Miswhite
“At first my reaction was that I didn’t want to share my thoughts… I didn’t/don’t want to let Steve go. It’s as if to express a memory would mean that I accept the reality of this situation; in truth I cannot believe that the news is true.
I have worked with Steve for many, many years since my first Salvation gig in Milan. Every time, without fail, I would get Steve to shake it up and have a boogie dance with me on stage at some point during my performance. He always had a twinkle in his eye, had a quick wit and was great fun to be with.
We had just stormed Berlin during March for Salvations’ ‘White Party’ and were looking forward to return to Germany for our next date in Munich in two weeks. Since I received the call form his partner Ian, there is a huge space that I fear I cannot fill. There are the memories, so many; none can ever replace the spirit and the personality that was Steve. May you Rest In Peace.”
Tonnic
“I met Steve a few years shortly after I moved to London. We became really good friends after travelling around the globe with Salvation. For me it was like travelling with a big brother. Steve was always full of energy, cheekiness, and had a great big smile on his face that never seemed to fade away. I’m still in shock; I can’t believe he’s not with us anymore. I will always remember you Steve, for the wonderful person you were, and the amazing adventures you took me and the Salvation family with you on. The memories I have will always stay, and I will always keep you close to my heart.”
Per QX
“To me, Steve was a soul mate, a true friend, he wasn’t a boss. We spoke literally every day. We argued, we took the piss and we had so many good times. He was a great friend with so much energy and support – someone it’s impossible to replace. Steve’s creativity and imagination made so many things special. He touched so many people in so many different ways. He was a people person and everyone he came into contact with loved him. He will become a legend in the global club scene. He thrived on the fun of others and gave himself selflessly.”
Paul Coals
“Steve was a dear friend, a colleague and a soul mate for me. He infected everyone around him with his boyish charm and energy. Working with him was a pleasure and never a task. You will be dearly missed here by us and the whole clubbing community, but it looks like God needed an amazing club promoter. Steve left us happy after an amazing night and very successful Salvation party. This was his life. I will never forget you and always love you my dear friend.”
Oliver M
“Sane, decent, honest club promoters are like shy, obese go-go dancers – very rare indeed. Steve was that diamond in the rough. I worked with him for the best part of 5 years when Salvation was at Cafe De Paris and quite frankly, I could be a dramatic handful, but Steve was a persistent jolly port in the disco storm. Unflappable, calm in the face of meltdown and thoroughly reasonable, he was the best medicine for a rave ailment- whatever that might be. We did the Trade/Salvation tour together in Ibiza a few years back, and looking back over my dog-eared photos, it’s hard to believe that tanned, happy man is no longer with us. Utterly devastating.”
Stewart Who?
