Dave Steen – 2026 INDUCTEE
Born and raised in Des Moines Iowa; Dave taught himself to play guitar. His first serious playing opportunity came as a student at Drake University when he was asked to join Antelon, a local funky blues soul and blues horn band. This afforded Dave his first experience in writing charts. It was an invaluable education.
Dave later joined the Columbia Records and Fort Dodge band HAWKS as a guitarist and vocalist. That band was very successful including the hits “Right Way” #63 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and “It’s all right it’s ok” #32 on Billboard’s top tracks AOL chart.
Dave has 143 releases as a songwriter by artists including Solomon Burke, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Son Seals, Coco Montoya, Larry McCray, John Primer, Michael Burks, Big Daddy Kinsey, and Sean Murphy to name a few.
Dave’s sole CD Town Full of Secrets reached #31 on the IBBA International Blues Broadcasters chart. He has songs on two Grammy-nominated albums as well as in two feature films. Over the years his songs have made 20 appearances on Billboard album and singles charts, including #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart for Coco Montoya’s “Writin’ On The Wall” in 2024.
Dave is a member of the Iowa Rock ’n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame, as well as the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame.
