Steve Whiteman
The dynamic, high-energy frontman whose raspy vocals and wild stage presence propelled the band Kix to hard rock glory in the 1980s.
Born 1956 (age 70)·American singer·Birthday: August 28·Baby Boomers
Biography
Steve Whiteman didn't just sing for Kix; he was their human dynamo, a whirlwind of spandex, bandanas, and boundless energy that defined the party-hard spirit of 1980s glam metal. Hailing from the unassuming town of Hagerstown, Maryland, Whiteman's powerful, blues-tinged rasp and acrobatic stage antics became the band's unmistakable signature. While Kix labored for years on the club circuit, their breakthrough came with 1988's 'Blow My Fuse' and its massive power ballad 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' which showcased Whiteman's ability to shift from raucous shouts to heartfelt vulnerability. His persona—a lovable, hyperactive showman—made Kix a favorite on the touring circuit, even as musical trends shifted. Whiteman's enduring commitment to the band's sound and his electrifying live performances have sustained a dedicated fanbase for decades, ensuring Kix's music, and his own yowl, remain a vibrant part of rock's legacy.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Steve was born in 1956, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Steve Was Born
The biggest hits of 1956
#1 Movie
The Ten Commandments
Best Picture
Around the World in 80 Days
#1 TV Show
I Love Lucy
Steve's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1956Born
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1961Started school
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1969Became a teenager
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1972Could drive
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1974Could vote
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1977Turned 21
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1986Turned 30
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1996Turned 40
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 50
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 60
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 70
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led Kix to their commercial peak with the platinum-selling 1988 album 'Blow My Fuse'.
- Provided lead vocals on the hit power ballad 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Has maintained a consistent touring presence with Kix for over four decades, cultivating a lasting cult following.
- Co-wrote many of Kix's signature songs, including 'Cold Blood' and 'Midnight Dynamite'.
Did You Know?
He originally auditioned for Kix as a bassist before becoming the lead singer.
He is known for his distinctive onstage backflips, which he performed regularly well into his 50s.
Outside of music, he has worked as a vocal coach and gives masterclasses on rock singing.
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