Former Member. Keyboard
8/5/1952 – 9/5/2025
South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Stephen Charles Croes died peacefully on September 5, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV, surrounded by his loving family.
Stephen was born on August 5, 1952 to Beth Croes and Shirley Willard Croes in Aberdeen, SD. When he was four, his family moved to Rapid City where his mother, herself a pianist, encouraged Stephen to take piano and drum lessons. He participated in school band programs, but as he put it, “when the Beatles appeared everything changed for me.” He had early success in local bands, moving to Denver after high school and establishing himself there in the music scene. Stephen then found his way to Los Angeles where he studied under master drum teacher Freddy Gruber and worked as a touring and session drummer.
In a defining moment, Stephen’s father bought him a Commodore 64 computer as a gift. “I found some sequencing software for it. I already had a couple of the MIDI synths and a borrowed drum machine to start out. After I hooked everything up and started playing with it, I suddenly understood that this was going to be very powerful and very popular. I saw the future.”
The next phase of Stephen’s professional career was in large part defined by a singular, then cutting edge piece of technology, the Synclavier. This Rolls Royce of digital workstations became his passion. The instrument was powerful, somewhat rare, and hard to learn, and he became an early adaptor and expert. With his artistic mastery of the Synclavier, he was in demand for high-level work in the music industry. “It took many years of constant work to establish a place for myself in the community as someone who was not just technologically capable but also musically creative and versatile,” he said. “I got to arrange and produce large, live ensemble tracks in a redwood forest with Kenny Loggins and play weird percussion tracks with Mick Fleetwood. I did accordion parts for Alice Cooper, sound design for the Yellowjackets and Star Trek, work on the music and soundtracks for Jacques Cousteau and National, Geographic, and scored a Vegas show for Tommy Tune.”
In 2002, he was offered the job of Dean of the Music Technology Division, at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Speaking of this career change Stephen said, “My new job is to share what I’ve learned. As it relates to survival, expansion of artistry, and pure enjoyment, technology is now and will always be a growing part of every artist’s future.”
Stephen’s impact on the college was significant and broad. He scouted the finest talent to fill professor roles within his departments to ensure students learned from the very best. He established the computer as a musical instrument and oversaw the building and design of new studio facilities at the College. He founded the Berklee Internet Radio Network, a student-run organization with multiple channels that saw hundreds of student DJs broadcast live shows, performances, and artist interviews to listeners via the internet. But perhaps most significantly, Stephen was dedicated to his students, and he devoted an immense amount of his time and professional resources to ensure their success both at the college and beyond. A great many owe career-defining advice and connections to Stephen and in this way, his impact on them and indeed the broader music industry cannot be overstated.
In 2019, Stephen was inducted into South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and presented a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In his own words… “I’ve had amazing opportunities to observe and participate as some of the most highly respected artists, composers, players, producers, and engineers worked together. To see the inner workings of a team and learn how the various roles complement each other in the production of a great piece of music is a beautiful thing. I’ve had the best seat in the house.”
He is survived by his partner of 40 years, Lisa Colletta, and his brother John Croes. Donations can be made in Stephen’s name to Humane Colorado, 2080 S. Quebec St. Denver, CO 80231-3204
