Steve Klong
Stephen J. Klong (born April 16, 1962 in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles at age 6) was a drummer, Producer and Composer who worked with a diverse group of artists including Wilson Phillips, Nelson, Berlin, Audra Hardt, Savoy Brown, Havana 3 A.M., and Cafe R&B among many others. After establishing himself as a first-rate session and touring drummer for several years, he also founded The King Klong Music Group, a successful TV and commercial production music house whose clients included Subway, Volkswagen, Budweiser, CSI: Miami, The West Wing, Cold Case, The Amazing Race, NFL Football and many more.
Education
Steve began his studies in percussion at the age of six Craig Woodson in West Los Angeles. Upon his graduation from Grant High School in Van Nuys, he was accepted at the Percussion Institute in Hollywood. After graduating, he worked as a private tutor for PIT students.
Career
Beginning in the mid 80's, Steve's reputation as a ferocious live performer and a detailed craftsman in the recording studio spread throughout Los Angeles.
In 1990, he played drums for Wilson Phillips world tour promoting their breakthrough debut album and also appeared with the band on "The Tonight Show" and 1990 Grammy Awards. During the 90s, he toured with Berlin, performed on the debut Nelson album "After The Rain", toured with Havana 3 A.M. and recorded and performed with Shrine. In 1995 he joined LA's Cafe R&B, an association that lasted over ten years, playing on all of the band's albums and tours throughout the U.S. and Europe. In the last two years of his life he also served as producer, music director and drummer for vocalist Audra Hardt. Steve also wrote and produced the theme music for The John Kerwin Show, a late night comedy talk show. The show, which is still in production, continues to play that theme music in his honor.
Originally diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in May, 2005, Steve underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, yet he continued to play, write and produce and started a new business renovating and renting studio space. In late 2007, Steve began to feel ill and died June 15, 2008 of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 46.[1]