Sterling Smith

Keyboardist who studied in harpsichord class at Ohio State University, but was also interested in rock, particularly “progressive” rock. In the mid-70s he recorded two albums with his own prog rock band, The Load (he was, like all members of the trio, co-owner of Owl Recording Studios Inc.). The band toured in its hometown of Columbus, as well as throughout the Midwestern United States - with their own repertoire and sometimes as accompanists for other performers.

In February 1977, the trio moved to Los Angeles, where he worked with various performers, recording together and separately, among others [a=Dennis Wilson], [a=Baron Stewart], [a=Brian Wilson] and [a=Christine McVie], and keyboardist toured and recorded with the legendary [a=The Beach Boys] from 1978 to 1979.

After The Load disbanded in 1979, keyboardist settled in this town and devoted himself to his work as a session and touring musician (he worked with [a=Randy Meisner], duo [a=Jan & Dean], [a=Steve Perry], [a=Terry Reid], [a=Barry Manilow], [a=Bonnie Tyler], [a=George Benson], [a=The Four Tops] or [a=Whitney Houston], and in 1982 took part in the recording session of [a=Arthur Brown]'s album "Requiem").

He died on July 28, 2023 there of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).