Text by Dawoud Kringle
The world of music was saddened to learn of the passing of bassist Thomas Michael Stevens / T.M. Stevens (a.k.a. Shaka Zulu).
Born in New York City on July 28, 1951, Stevens studied biology in school, but at the suggestion of his professor decided to drop out to focus on music. He honed his skills by playing in after-hours clubs around the city. He soon became established on the scene and began working as a session musician who excelled in a wide range of genres.
The list of musicians he played with is incredible. The luminaries he worked with include Miles Davis, James Brown (played on James Brown’s latter-day hit, “Living in America”), Steve Vai, The Pretenders, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Al Di Meola, Billy Squier, Nona Hendryx, Little Steven Van Zant, John McLaughlin, Cyndi Lauper, Taylor Dayne, Steve Sala, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Tupac Shakur, Victor Wooten, Narad Michael Walden, The Space Cadets, The Boombastics, Cissy Houston, Eric Gales, Pat Travers, Carmine Appice, and Illegal Aliens. He also released several solo albums including Boom, Shocka Zooloo, and Africans in the Snow.
By 2017, Stevens was suffering from advanced dementia and was living in a nursing home during the last years of his life. Stevens died March 10, 2024, at the age of 72.
News of his passing evoked a powerful reaction from his peers. A small sample from Twitter:
T.M. Stevens, That Is All.- Vernon Reid (@vurnt22)
We lost another important piece of the low end theory. Mr. T.M. Stevens. Join me in recognizing one of the Grt8 ones! We toured together in 2011. U will be missed, my funk brother.!!! – Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins)
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of bassist T.M. Stevens. He was an amazing talent and a wonderful person. – Bass Magazine (@BassMagOnline)
On a personal note, I had the honor of meeting him a few times. The first time we met was at a Black Rock Coalition event where I was playing guitar with former Screaming Headless Torsos singer Dean Bowman. Backstage, T.M. Stevens was readying himself for his performance, as we all were. He was, in addition to being a force to be reckoned with on the bass, a likable man with beautiful and exuberant energy.
MFM salutes the memory of a great musician, a fine man, and a stellar legacy.
