Detroit, Michigan may be known as The Motor City, but the area is as famous for music as it is for car engines! Eleven-year-old Derek St. Holmes was being influenced by the local music scene around the time he acquired his first guitar. As he honed his skills in his parent’s basement, he could not have fathomed that in a little more than a decade he would take the world of rock ‘n’ roll by storm. Motown was the sound of Detroit in the 1960s, but by the end of the decade, and into the ‘70s the area was a hotbed of hard rock that included The Stooges, The MC5, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper and Ted Nugent & the Amboy Dukes. Soon, that scene would also include Derek St. Holmes.
On July 4, 2000 Derek released his first solo album, after a quarter century in the music business. The critically acclaimed album, titled Then & Now featured songs that demonstrated the many facets of St. Holmes talents. His vocals ranged from the expected hard rockers, to bluesy numbers, to a heartfelt ballad. His guitar playing covered everything from hard rock, to blues, and even included an acoustic number. Derek spent the next ten years performing in many bands and being a part of many projects, always remaining active in the music business. After years of Nugent fans begging Ted for Derek’s return, St. Holmes was invited by the Motor City Madman in 2011 to once again take his place on the Nugent stage. Derek appeared on Nugent’s 2014 album ShutUp&Jam, singing the tune “Everything Matters.”
In 2015, Derek is writing and recording new music with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Brad Whitford for the long awaited follow up to 1981’s Whitford/St. Holmes album. Once the album hits the shelves, look for the pair on the road for select dates! Derek St. Holmes is a living testament to hard work and dedication. His voice remains as powerful as it was in 1974 when Nugent knew he had to snag him for his band. His guitar skills are equal to Nugent as well, a fact often overlooked due to his stellar vocal skills. While Derek will always be a rocker identified with the iconic classic rock staples “Stranglehold,” “Hey Baby,” “Death by Misadventure” and “Dog Eat Dog” he has the heart, soul and voice of a true bluesman, something the world heard first hand when “Hey Baby” was released way back in 1975. St. Holmes’ abilities are surpassed only by his spirit and love of music.
\]==The future looks bright for Derek St. Holmes, but, then again, why shouldn’t it? He is one of this generation’s greatest voices and a true unsung hero on the six-string. We may be forty years down the road, but in many ways Derek St. Holmes is just getting started.
Then & Now 2000 :
01 Dr Love
02 Just An Illusion
03 In Too Deep
04 Sunsets
05 Standing In The Rain
06 Sometimes
07 My Turn To Cry
08 The Wind
09 Surrounded
10 Shaila
Demo 1990 :
01 Jimmi
02 All The Love
03 Good Time Girl
turbo thx buks!