American rock singer Stephen ‘Steph’ Fontaine passed away earlier this year. There has been very little info posted about his passing, but this was confirmed by his former bandmate and long time friend Eddie St James in a post on June 16:

“I regret having to report that former Joshua / Ringleader / Uriah Heep singer (tenure 1986) and also a very good friend of mine (we had also worked together in my band and a couple of projects in 1991) Stephen Fontaine has passed away in late March 2026 (incorrectly being reported on the net by unofficial sources as June of 2026).

Here is a direct quote from his landlady (name withheld- my only official source as it, for some reason, has not yet officially been made public by any surviving relative(s) or public sources):

„…I have been trying to get information from the coroner but he hasn’t responded yet. His apartment is sealed up while trying to find any family. He moved in here almost 2 years ago, he was homeless before then. I am sorry I wish I could give more information. My maintenance man found him 3/31 he passed away watching TV. Not sure how long he was there before he was found…“

I would like to simply say that in all most likelihood he has unfortunately passed and I did have steady contact with him up until 3 months before his passing on ca. 3/31/26. I can say that He was an extraordinarily talented and a big hearted, sincere and down to earth person. I can also say that I knew him and his musical life story probably more in depth than most of his friends, associates or most certainly the general public. He would also tell me all the very interesting in-depth, behind the scenes information and circumstances that were never released or made available to the traditional or social media sources (I really know what went on with the Uriah Heep situation). He had a great sense of humor and was a lot of fun to work with and be around- never a dull moment. What could’ve been, we’ll never know- what is, is all that we’re left with.”

Rock’N’Roll Journalist & former girlfriend, Olivia Tosic: “Steph Fontaine was an extremely humorous individual with hilarious stories. A storyteller like no other… He had a kind heart and a true love / hate relationship within himself.   Yet always maintained an ultra-positive attitude toward life!   Though he had a most fascinating voice, he could never quite stay in one band project for any significant length of time.  He had a very eccentric personality and kept me in tears laughing all the time! Now those tears have transformed to a bit of grief and sadness knowing he has transitioned into heaven, leaving behind so many dreams and aspirations he still had. ”

Greg Chaisson (Badlands): I thought he was a great singer and should’ve been huge, but he was also quite a character. I hope he is at peace now. I will think of him often!

“My main early influences were Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, The Righteous Brothers, and further on Steve Perry, Lou Gramm, David Coverdale, Ronnie Dio – guys like that…Paul Rodgers and Mickey Thomas (Starship.” (Stef Fontaine, 2001)

Fontaine, relocated from Arizona to California in the late ’70s. In Phoenix he was involved with a covers band named ‘Alien’ and came across bass player Greg Chaisson (pre Badlands), where he briefly joined the bass players’ band ‘Ghost Rose’. Fontaine made plenty of connections, such as Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot), who helped him get to California, where he joined such bands as ‘Full House’ (with Bruce Turgeon) and Orange County, California band ‘Hustler’ (who recorded one unreleased album, which has never surfaced and little info to be found on it). He would join the band ‘Joshua’, lead by guitarist Joshua Perahia (RIP 2024). Fontaine actually replaced singer Don Dokken in Joshua, and in time to record the band’s debut mini-LP The Hand Is Quicker Than The Eye, released on Enigma. Although the record didn’t much attention in North America, it did include the song “November Is Going Away”, which a #1 hit in Japan.

Joshua bass player Mahlon Hawk (2000): “The band was based out of the South Bay area in Southern Calif., we played at the top venues, always to sold out crowds. The Joshua website tells of the time we did 2 shows at the Troubador, practically unheard of at the time. We shared the stage with many of the top acts/performers of that time such as Dubrow (which became Quiet Riot), Ronnie James Dio, Redbone, Motley Crue, the Plimsouls, Y&T, Armored Saint, Berlin, Mike Monarch Group (formerly of Steppenwolf) just to name a few.”

“Steve, while in JOSHUA, was the most powerful singer in L.A. I feel bad for the bands that opened for us, like Quiet Riot, Great White, members from Motley Crue, and Poison, Dokken, Black ‘n Blue, Redbone, Warrant, Ratt, and so many more bands that just did NOT have the vocal power Stephen sang with us….He is so sorry, he ran to do his own project after the album came out. He came to my home and apologize to me, and ask for forgiveness, knowing we were offered a major record deal on A & M records. The label demanded that Steve was also in the band, but he refused. Of course I forgave him, as I knew God saved me from something that was going to hurt me.” (Joshua Perahia, 2011)

Following his time with Joshua, Stef Fontaine worked with various other bands, such as ‘Outcast’ and ‘Blind Date’. In 1984 he did some demos with ‘Warlord‘ for their album And The Cannons Of Destruction Have Begun… He declined to join the band at the time, but the 2 tracks he sang on appeared on the 2016 CD reissue.

In mid 1986 he auditioned for, and joined Uriah Heep in mid. He sang for Heep on a North American tour in the fall that year. Fontaine admitted that he was much less familiar with the band’s older material, but was a fan of their ’80s material, in particular Equator, which was the album the band was still playing a number of songs from when he joined.

“I loved the Equator record with a passion. For some reason very few people bought that, but it’s my favorite Uriah Heep record. I like it better than Abominog.” (Fontaine, 2001)

However, by the end of that tour, the band felt Stef wasn’t working out, and left him behind. Though nothing official exists, there are a few live recordings and some video footage with Fontaine from this period.

“Good rock singer, warped sense of humour (I got on really well with the guy), but he had ‘Manson’ eyes.” (Phil Lanzon, 1997)

The singer returned to forming new bands, notably ‘Ringleader’, who released the LP If Licks Could Kill in 1989, on Statue Records. Fontaine co-wrote on all of the tracks here, and the album was co-produced by keyboard player Geoff Emery (fomerly of Rod Evan’s Deep Purple, 1980). He was invovled with the short lived band ‘Hype’. His next project was ‘Dirty World’, which included (guitarist) Brad Wilson and (drummer) Marc Droubay (Survivor). This band recorded demos and played a few shows, but again, nothing officially released.

“Stef lived a great life with lots of shows, fans and wild nights in So Cal….Being an artist with Stef’s talent is a mixed blessing because of the drama. Your life is a hurricane.” (Brad Wilson, 2019)

“Stef was or is known as the ‘Steve Perry of Redondo Beach’, actually the guy also has a 4 octave range and an ability to go hard gravel to soft and pretty.” ( Eddie St James, 2009)

Soon after he worked with guitarist Eddie St James, which Eddie recalled in his post about Fontaine:

“Here’s an old photo of the „Super Group“ we tried to pull together back in 91, featuring Stephen (Steve) Fontaine (vocals) / Marc Droubay- of Survivor, „Eye Of The Tiger“ (drums) / Wayne Hutsell (bass) and myself (guitar). The project was short lived but the memories live on for me- unfortunately we never recored anything, although I had tape recordings of the rehearsals but they went missing long ago. One funny story, we did all original music (with the exception of 2 songs: “Respect”-Aretha Franklin and “Purple Haze” -Jimi Hendrix). We did a blistering cover of „Purple Haze“ and Steff just hated that song because of the vocal style, so we told him just sing it like Aretha (he was a huge fan of hers) and the song turned out incredible. We talked about re-doing „Eye Of The Tiger“ but I said it wont work without a keyboard player- which we didn’t have and we weren’t interested in turning into a synth driven pop band.

Rest easy dear friend and God’s speed.“

Throughout the ’90s he also formed a few tribute projects, such as ‘Majestic’, a tribute to Journey, as well as a Deep Purple/Rainbow tribute act, called ‘Burn’,

Following the short-lived ‘Nightmare Carnival’ band, Fontaine hooked up with guitarist Ron Sachs to form ‘Heartache City’. This band released one self-titled album (CD) in 2001, on the STS label. This album did get some attention among fans of the singer, and Heartache City did get some publicity at the time.

Following Heartache City, Stef went on to do various things, including a one-off gig with guitarist Iain Ashley Hersey (RIP), and shows with guitarist Sandro Eristavi and the band Black Pearl.

The last album that Fontaine sang on was 2015’s Out There…Again, which was with former bandmates, from his Arizona days, with bands such as ‘Alien’. Fontaine sang on the album, which consisted of songs the band re-wored from their previous 2 albums, and added in a few more, notably covers of Uriah Heep’s “Stealin” and Deep Purple’s “Space Truckin'”.

In later years Stef was always trying to get together new projects, and work on his ‘comeback’. He had reconnected with former bandmate Joshua Perahia, and spoke positively about some of his experiences over the years. At one point he had informed me he intended to do another Heartache City album, with a new line-up, as well as write his own autobiography, which – with his many stories, would’ve been entertaining. Sadly, there was nothing else released from Stef. In exchanges with him he was always enthusiastic and had ideas or plans on the go. Below is a few excerts from messages I received from him in 2020 , 2021….

“I am very excited to be in full swing with my passion . ‘Fontaine does Fogelberg!!’ A tribute to the late great Dan Fogelberg . One of the greatest soft rock voices of all time !! I will let you know when I’m ready to unveil . God bless!” (Oct, 2020)

Regrading Bob James of Montrose (Feb 2021) “I knew Bob . Laid back . Nice guy , great voice . In 1989 I met Montrose for the 2nd time In 15 years . This time I met his keyboard player after singing In a club in Marin county . His chick said I had one of the greatest voices she ever heard and that I should sing with Montrose . I auditioned, sang great, but during the break before getting the gig , I walked outside, behind the studio and proceeded to piss on Ronnie’s sacred Thunderbird convertible. It was completely dark and I accidentally pissed all over the side of car. He fired me before hiring me . (Ha ha) adds to my illustrious legend . I guess The Survivor gig was a much better and less fiercer affair but that story will have to wait for my autobiography, Stephen Fontaine’s Nightmare Carnival “tales of a fallen rock star “ I have so many Crazy stories that need to be told! But my story is going to have a great ending!! I ain’t done rocking yet buddy”

Steph, Stef, Steff : this is what Stephen Fontaine was often referred to, as the sbort form, so you’ll see if spelled differently. Fontaine once recalled that it was simply something a girlfriend started calling him way back and it stuck.

If you might have any stories or photos on Steph, drop me a note. I have more interviews and stories here to share in a longer story in the future.

*Photos used from Steph’s Facebook page. If you know who should be credited (photographer), let me know.