10cc And So Much More: Eric Stewart, Master Of Song And Studio
The 10cc vocalist-songwriter’s resumé stretches even further than that cherished band’s exemplary pop and album rock.
Maybe it’s because he’s been relatively low-profile in recent years, but it’s a little too easy to underestimate Eric Stewart. The 10cc vocalist and songwriter has a resumé that stretches even further than that cherished band’s exemplary pop and album rock of the 1970s and later.
By the time he became a co-founder of the group, Stewart (born in Droylsden, Lancashire on January 20, 1945) was already vastly experienced. After some time in local bands, he joined chart group the Mindbenders, fronted by Wayne Fontana. In 1968, he had the presence of mind to invest in Strawberry Studios in Stockport, which gave him creative freedom and led to his friendship with fellow English singer-songwriter Graham Gouldman.
After Gouldman also invested in the studio, a production deal led to the brief formation (with Graham for a while, but chiefly with Lol Crème and Kevin Godley) of the bubblegum band Hotlegs, who enjoyed a huge one-off hit in 1970 with “Neanderthal Man.”
When the quartet reconvened in 1972 as 10cc, the stage was set for some of the most inventive British music of that decade, on a series of sparkling albums and major hit singles. From “Donna” to “Rubber Bullets” and on to “I’m Not In Love,” “I’m Mandy Fly Me,” “Art For Art’s Sake,” “Dreadlock Holiday,” and countless others, 10cc were a major force for the rest of the decade.
Stewart went on to collaborate frequently with Paul McCartney, make solo albums (the last being 2009’s Vive La Difference) and record occasionally as part of 10cc, up until 1995’s Mirror Mirror. He’s much respected as both a producer and an engineer, in which role his credits include records by Sad Café and Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA, and Sedaka’s Back by Neil Sedaka. The latter rock‘n’roll era star owed the momentum for his UK-fuelled comeback of the 1970s to his work with the members of 10cc at Strawberry.
Stewart told superdeluxeedition.com in 2017: “Ideas are always coming and titles are coming up. Songs come from titles so many times…it happens like that if you’ve got a brain that is working in that way.” His autobiography, Things I Do For Love, was released as a digital book in 2017. He’s given us a wealth of music to explore, with 10cc and far beyond, and we recommend their excellent four-disc retrospective Tenology, which provides a great cross-section of this distinguished British band, with hits, album tracks and rarities.
As Eric told The Guardian about the much-loved original quartet: “We took on the mantle of The Beatles. We experimented on every song – you’ll never hear two that sound alike.”
Listen to uDiscover Music’s 10cc Best Of playlist.
Pamela Tooke
April 13, 2015 at 12:09 pm
What a great talent. Always liked 10 cc and of course The Mindbenders. Best wishes to Eric and his family and hope he is keeping well 🙂
Miriam DD
May 10, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Erick I love you ,Happy Birthday! since I met your songs I have not stopped to listen and come to my heart.
Susan Crawford
May 29, 2015 at 8:43 pm
I’ve been in love with Eric Stewart for fifty years. Ever since the Mindbenders, “Groovy Kind Of Love”. You look great for 70 baby! Enjoy your day.
Gillian Simpson
January 6, 2019 at 3:59 pm
I have been in love with him too for about 50 years (I am now 70) with lots of tales to tell of the times I have met him and the other Mindbenders. Such an amazing talent. I am from Stockport and the exhibition in Stockport Museum about Strawberry Studios is well worth a visit. Eric is such a beautiful gorgeous sexy man. It’s been great to read other people’s likeminded comments! Xx
Chris Bevens
June 10, 2015 at 7:58 pm
Many happy returns to the gorgeous man whose cheeky grin, giggle and wink on Top of the Pops performing I’m not in Love has made my insides flutter at it ever since.
Gillian
July 20, 2015 at 6:01 am
Thanks for the music, Eric. Love you x
Rod
January 7, 2016 at 11:56 am
Are you his sister Gillian? Rod
Nicola
July 31, 2015 at 6:11 am
I,ve always enjoyed the music of 10cc and they always on top form. 10 out of. 10 ranks as one of their finest Albums
Andy
August 15, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Eric…please, please play with the other members of 10cc one more time.. stir so many fond memories for me
Suzy
August 20, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Eric I miss your beautiful voice….please try and reconcile your differences with GG and be part of 10cc at least one more time. It is not the same without you and you two were brilliant together. Love you xxx
brenda mchugh
September 6, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Saw 10 cc twice in the seventies best concrets ever eric stewart so handsome
Lynda Taylor
November 10, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Just been to my first 10cc concert and it was fantastic, you were credited and acknowledge for all yourhard work and song writing expertise, would have loved to see you play. Thank you for being part of my life and giving me such wonderful memories of my childhood. Best wishes to you x
Glynis Bennett
December 6, 2015 at 10:38 am
Saw 10 cc in the late 70’s at Bingley Hall, Stafford. It was a privilege to be in the same room as Eric and Graham. What talent there was in the original group of four.
Chris Perry
December 8, 2015 at 10:57 am
An amazingly talented musician, vocalist and engineer. Wishing you many enjoyable and creative years ahead.
karen attard
December 10, 2015 at 6:10 pm
Saw eric on a bbc4 documentary about 10cc and felt like I’d been hit by lightning. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. And what a fabulous voice. I never believed in love at first sight but I do now. And he still looks good at 70. Incredible. I love you eric xx
Paul C
December 27, 2015 at 7:48 am
Eric don’t be like the Beatles making it impossible to re unite the band 10cc again
Gill
January 5, 2016 at 11:57 am
Not long now till his 71st. Such talent and forever beautiful. Love you Eric xx
Michael
January 7, 2016 at 10:19 pm
Great music, great voice.
Never to old to make music.
All the best for you.
Andy Shield
January 20, 2016 at 3:21 pm
A belated Happy 70th birthday Eric. Going way back to the early 60s and the top 20 club in your
home town of silly country. They used to call you little Eric when you played with Glyn Ellis! i used to dance with your sister Jean and June Wrigley from Audenshaw. You will always be one of the all time greatsof the 20th centiry. All the best Andy
Greg Page
January 23, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Saw 10cc in De Montfort Hall mid ’70’s – Ace!
Coming back fro Newquay after a great Surf session, saw Eric Stewart and his family in a little chef. Would love to have said hello, but they looked so happy together I did not want to interrupt.
Victor
January 25, 2016 at 8:39 pm
“I’m not in love” happened when I was about 18. Still feels evocative at times. “I’m Mandy (fly me) was a very well crafted song….bye
Vince
January 26, 2016 at 5:33 am
Good harmonies . The guitar solos were also very good in parts. The 70 s were not perfect but I feel it was a good period in time to be growing up and 10 cc music was part of the soundtrack of the period
Cory
February 28, 2016 at 5:04 pm
I heard “I’m not in love” for the 1st time in the seventies and never forgot it. Just recently finding 10CC on line, I can’t get enough. You are very beautiful to watch and have the most sensuous lips I have ever seen on any man. A very belated happy birthday and many. ,many more. Take good care of yourself.. Cory
Sara
August 2, 2016 at 12:35 am
Eric my friend and I say in your band limo after a concert in Cardiff.s capitol theatre in the 70.s . You signed my arm. Are you on Twitter x
Pamela Gregson
August 14, 2016 at 12:59 pm
I used to live in Stockport and once went down to strawberry studios l got nervous and did not hang around for an autograph!
Judilemsip
October 24, 2016 at 10:23 pm
Eric this is personal , you are a fantastic musician who brought magic to my life, I’m an ordinary person and through your music you gave me life. Thank you so much xxx.
Janice Hay
November 4, 2016 at 8:06 pm
Remember seeing your beautifil Jaguar the best car in the world at the Madison Hotel in London in 1964
You Rick and Bob from the Mindbenders. Best in the whole world
Gillian Simpson
January 6, 2019 at 4:06 pm
I was in that car from Buxton to Manchester after the last gig with Wayne Fontana! A hairy ride I can tell you but worth the experience. Wayne was in his jag following. X
Gillian Simpson
January 6, 2019 at 4:29 pm
318 EYW I think that was the registration!!!!
Gillian Simpson
January 6, 2019 at 4:34 pm
It might have been Bob Lang’s car though; it’s a very long time ago!!!
Los herring
January 5, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Did Eric Stewart ever live in lower openshaw or have any connections there
Marion
January 20, 2017 at 8:31 am
Happy birthday Eric,
Still loving the music and words you write.
Take care, enjoy your year.
All the very best to you Gloria and the family x
D Hoult
February 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Loved the minbenders. 10cc were great. Eric stewart great singing. 60s lad, danced in Manchester pubs and clubs.Greatest teenage years ever. 10cc fantastic group of guys and down to earth unassuming .humans.Loved and watched all the interwiews. Shows they were great friends, pity they split up. But realise it is very hard doing same thing and touring etc. Still it shows they had a good friendiy relationship. Just wish they would all do it one more time.lHowever gave us some fantastic songs. Best Wishes Eric and all. (ps I,m 70 yr old. ) still love 60s music. David
Meredith Cunningham
March 23, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Loved 10cc since I was 13 (56 now). Can’t wait to get your new book. Happy belated birthday…you’re one of my heroes over here in Dallas, Pennsylvania 😉 !
Marie
April 3, 2017 at 2:32 am
Forget 10cc, get The Mindbenders back together! There’s only the two others if they still exist.
Paul L
August 24, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Eric Stewart wrote much of the soundtrack of my youth in the 70’s. I love his voice, rich and distinctive a class apart. Still love the music today and will always will, I think 10cc had another album in them as a four piece, go make another Sheet Music……
Steve Hale
September 3, 2017 at 7:54 pm
One of our best vocalists, guitarists and songwriters. Underrated.
Thomas Ellis
September 19, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Rubber Bullets, Im not in Love, the Things We do for Love are just a few of my 10cc favorites. I grew up in the 60’s -70’s so 10cc was a big part of the music of the time. I hear their songs and I remember hearing them play on the radio all the time. I just got my copy of Eric Stewart’s Anthology and loving it! Thank you to Eric Stewart Lol Creme and 10cc for all the memories.
lanzarishi
January 21, 2018 at 6:01 pm
God, do I miss 10cc! I was a major free jazz snob nose firmly up in the clouds when I heard Sheet Music lp. They blew me away with their creativity. Not just Eric but the whole band. Godly and Creme were a force of nature by themselves! I’d give my right arm for reuniting.
Rita Oberdiear
February 1, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Eric congratulations to you and Gloria for 51 plus years. I am a retired Jazz singer here in America, and just re listened to IM NOT IN LOVE. May I say you were and I’m sure still an amazing singer. If you answer your e.mails? I would love to know if there is anything in the future as far as songs from you.
Rita Oberdiear
February 4, 2018 at 10:31 pm
I also wanted to say, I to was married for 53 years, till my husband’s demise. You’re a right, it’s very hard to stay married in that kind of industry. My husband and I both worked together. The test was living in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. You were, and are a technician, great singer, as well as a writer. Do you ever answer your messages sent to you?
Gwen Quinn
March 17, 2018 at 11:07 pm
Hi Eric I am your Cousin Gwen from Manchester! Hope you get to read this. My Dad Jim Stewart was your Dads older brother. I know over the years your life has moved on in different directions but do you ever. Wonder or think back where you came from and have childhood
Memories ? Into of you. Helping uncle Eddie on his allotment. Going to Aunty Kitty’s listening to your Dad sing. Maybe that’s where you got your talent from and your Mum was so beautiful.I knoiw you had sisters but I only rember you. Hope you get to read this or someone will forward it onto you.
Gwen Quinn
March 17, 2018 at 11:10 pm
Proud of you Cousin !! Gwen Quinn nee Stewart.
Gillian Simpson
January 6, 2019 at 4:11 pm
Love all these comments on lovely Eric and the music he was involved in ! 10cc were just so different from anyone else. Unique xx
Jim
September 4, 2021 at 12:56 am
Eric did not produce or engineer the Blue Jays album.
10cc did play on the single, ‘Blue Guitar’.
Todd Burns
September 7, 2021 at 10:45 pm
Thanks for letting us know, Jim! I’ve amended the article to reflect that.
Kartunes
February 5, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Eric Stewart is such a talent. I would love to hear an interview from him today. Amazing musician and recording engineer. All of his recordings are done so well and sound fantastic! My favorite guitar player too!