It could be their ‘Zoo Experience’ radio show, the longest running show on London’s Kiss FM, or the legendary parties that were ‘Garage City’ and Soul Heaven? Perhaps it’s their ultimate dance weekender Summervibes, or their sell-out parties at the Miami Winter Music Conference? Maybe it’s the famous Klub Zoo, or their Friday night residency, Groove On @ Heaven. Exactly what makes Bobby & Steve so successful is hard to define, but one thing is for sure, they’ve come a very long way from their weekly slot at Simpson’s Wine Bar in East London’s Forest Gate.
Brought up on and inspired by the greats of soul music, such as Teddy Pendergrass, Loose Ends, The Chi-Lites, Leroy Burgess, McFadden & Whitehead, Barry White, Thelma Houston, and the Jones girls. Born and bred East End twins Bobby & Steve’s musical heritage rests firmly on the shoulders of soul funk and disco. In 1984, at just twenty years of age the twins landed their first regular DJ gig at a local wine bar, ‘Simpson’s’, and soon afterwards were holding regular Saturday night warehouse parties, searching out illegal venues which were big enough to hold the hoards of followers as the word spread. Bobby & Steve soon became both instrumental and respected figures in the eighties warehouse party scene, through playing their favourite soul and funk music at their own parties alongside fellow guest DJ’s Norman Jay, Linden C and Trevor ‘Madhatter’ Nelson.
News of the success of the boys’ parties soon spread, and it wasn’t long before Bobby & Steve were approached by Gordon Mac, initiator and pioneer of London’s biggest (then) pirate radio station Kiss FM, who offered them a weekly slot. The already established ‘Zoo Experience’ was born.
