FROM humble chef to fronting a multi-million pound touring show, Steve Steinman’s career swerve takes some beating.

Those with good memories might remember him from when he appeared as Meat Loaf on Stars in their Eyes in 1990.

But now he is best known as the enigmatic master of rock ceremonies in the smash-hit touring show Vampires Rock, which is coming to the Cliffs Pavillion later this month.

Born in Manchester in 1965, a love of good food led him to train and begin working as a chef.

After opening up his own restaurant, he quickly made a name running a number of similar venues, bars and hotels, but that reputation was soon matched by a reputation for being a pretty mean singer, too.

Steve explains: “It was while running the restaurant I started singing. This was actually way before karaoke, but some of the customers knew I could sing a bit, so would ask me to do a song or two.

“It was somebody from the restaurant who suggested I apply for Stars in their Eyes.”

After his appearance performing as Meat Loaf, Steve realised his dream was to pursue a career in singing and so decided to extend that one night into a full-blown career.

Steve adds: “It was the early Nineties and business in the restaurant was going down, so I decided to start gigging in and around the clubs and bars in Manchester.”

Eventually that led to a number of appearances as Meat Loaf in the successful touring shows, the Meat Loaf Story and the Meat Loaf Trilogy.

It was those tours which got Steve thinking about a new rock musical.

“Classic rock has been around for ever,” Steve says.

“It’s always being rehashed and brought back for a new audience. Even the bands are still touring.

“They’re still doing it and that’s why people love it so much. The vampire thing was just something to tie it to, but it’s really caught on.

“I’ve been doing this for the past seven years now, originally as a spin-off from the Meat Loaf Story, but now it’s got a life of its own.”

It sure has, as Steve is happy to confirm.

Speaking before the start of the new, mammoth 65-date UK tour, he adds: “We have toured it every year and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. When we started, we were playing to 500-seat venues and now it’s 1,500.

“For the past two years we’ve sold out several venues, but I think this tour will be the tester, what with the financial climate.

“I’m hoping we’ll be OK and the signs look good. People love coming to the show and dressing up. It’s not a goth show. We have people from all walks of life coming along.

“I suppose it’s that pure escapist kind of fun that all people like.”

For all those who haven’t seen it, Vampires Rock is a concert fantasy featuring, as the title suggests, a whole host of massive rock anthems, such as Highway to Hell, Since You’ve Been Gone and Sweet Child of Mine.

As well as producing it, Steve takes pride of place in the show, as Baron Von Rockula. Although he was happy to stand back from the limelight when a certain Toyah Wilcox joined the show in 2008, in a brand new role created just for her.

She obviously enjoyed it, because she also signed up for last year’s tour.

“I can’t see it stopping, well not just yet,” he adds. “We’re still working on getting a new version put on in Las Vegas and I’m hopeful that will happen soon. To be honest, I won’t be done until we’re playing 8,000-seat venues.” He’s also got a few other projects on the go, including a Bat out of Hell Symphony. It’s a project Steve has been wanting to do for a long time, combining a 40-piece orchestra with Steve’s own rock band to perform all Meat Loaf’s biggest hits.

Then there’s the writing of a new rock musical, which he’s hoping will get an outing in 2012. Quite some journey for an ex-Manchester chef.

STEVE Steinman’s Vampires Rock is at the Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff, on October 28, at 8pm. Tickets are priced £17.50 to £23.50, available from the box office on 01702 351135 or online at www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk