Michele StuevenHe started as a lowly dishwasher in San Diego and went on to become one of the reigning kings of Yacht Rock and film soundtracks. After surviving a near-death experience five years ago, Stephen Bishop released his 20th and final album today, THIMK.
The veteran songwriter has had his songs recorded by Phil Collins, Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton, Kenny Loggins, Beyonce, Art Garfunkel, Pavarotti, David Crosby, and many others. In total, Bishop has written more than 650 songs, released 19 albums, had his music streamed more than 500 million times, and sold over 15 million records worldwide for himself and 100 million for other songwriters.
THIMK vinyl (Courtesy Shore Fire Media)
Joining him on the 14-track farewell album are friends Eric Claption, Sting, Graham Nash, David Benoit, Michael McDonald, Loggins, and Christopher Cross. Perhaps the best song in the album is a bittersweet duet with Leah Kunkel, Only The Heart Within You, the artist Bishop credits with his successful career after introducing him to Garfunkel (who also sings background vocals in the song) in 1975. Kunkel passed away last November.
The sexy, dulcet tones that made him a heartthrob in the 80s with famous hits like On and On and Save It For A Rainy Day are still there, especially in the love song to his wife, Liz Kamlet, who is the executive producer on the album and gave birth to his first child, Stephen Bishop Jr., last year. Baby Bishop, the reason for Stephen’s retirement, makes an appearance at the end of Liz (So In Love With You).
It was Kamlet who helped nurse him back to health from a medical emergency in 2020 that nearly killed him.
Michael McDonald and Stephen Bishop (Courtesy On and Off)
“He was taking a blood pressure medication which his doctor was supposed to be monitoring but wasn’t, “Kamlet tells LA Weekly alongside her husband in a Zoom call from their LA home. “Nobody could figure out what it was; his pressure was elevated. They didn’t know if he was having a stroke – he didn’t even know who the Beatles were, so there was quite a panic because he loves the Beatles more than life. He was hospitalized at Cedars Sinai for two months, one month in the ICU. He couldn’t walk or talk. The whole thing took about four years. We’re finally in year four, and he’s back to normal. He just had a checkup and everything is great, plus he lost 50 pounds.”
“It was a very scary time,” says Bishop, who chronicled the experience in his autobiography, On and Off.
Another treat on the very personal album that delves into his past ups and downs is a new version of It Might Be You, the title song from the film Tootsie that earned him an Academy Award nomination. He also sang and immortalized the title song for Animal House, in which he made a cameo appearance as the guy John Belushi’s Bluto character bashes his guitar on.
From left: Eric Clapton, Sting, Phil Collins, and Stephen Bishop (Courtesy On and Off)
Under The Rainbow with Loggins, Cross, and Marilyn Martin is a pure upbeat throwback to the 80s, and a classic example of Bishop’s signature carefree style.
But for now, Bishop just wants to sail into the sunset, listen to Taylor Swift while he does the dishes, catch up on Food Network’s Chopped, and spend time with his family, who will be moving to Aspen.
“My dad was a singer and spent most of his time on the golf course, so I want to be there and watch my son grow up,” says Bishop. “That’s one of the reasons I’m retiring. I want to focus on him, have him take guitar and piano lessons. I’ll be drinking hot chocolate while my wife teaches him how to ski.”
Art Garfunkel and Stephen Bishop on SNL (Courtesy On and Off)