One of the bodies that encouraged The Steve Rhodes Voices in their early days was the Punch Newspapers. Though the publisher of the paper, Chief Olu Aboderin is now late, but his partner, Sam Amuka, popularly called Uncle Sam who saw it all speaks on their association and supports given to the musical group.

How did you meet with him?
I used to admire him when heard him on the radio as a broadcaster. And when I met him… He is a great man. Steve teaches you about life, that the whole world needs to be renewed in terms of quality. He does not compromise standards. He is a great friend but not somebody I will like to work with because he wants to see you as an asset. You have got to get every tone right. That has been the way he had worked all the time.

When you listen to his music, I doubt of anybody or enough people appreciate the amount of quality that goes into his work.

How do you relate with his music?
He was a trained musician. He was into all sorts of music. You can't imagine what he has done with some music you hear in the streets. When he handles a song you are familiar with, you wonder how he has improved upon it. He was comfortable with all sorts of music. He has trained enough people in the art and has helped raised the level of music from ordinary composition to sheet music. Everything connected with music he has done.

Is there enough appreciation of Steve Rhodes from the Nigerian government and the Nigerian people?
Nigerian government? Steve should not bother himself with such things and I'm sure he does not care about any recognition from the government. He has moved beyond the level of expecting them to call him now.

But appreciation from the Nigerian people, I will say yes. Of course, the people recognize him and appreciate him so much. Though Steve will leave someday but his music will live years and years after him.

He mentioned the support he got from Punch Newspapers those days. How did it start?
Olu Aboderin (now late) was my partner in Punch and the support we gave him was because we admire him. We gave him more space than he needed. He does not go out to seek for attention. Most of the young guys currently in the entertainment or arts beats of our newspapers don't know him. They are too lazy to know him, but then fashion change. Very few of the current art writers know what we call highlife, jazz, that is what they call old school. The people of this new generation are too lazy to recognize him.

What would you say he has contributed to Nigeria ? How do you think Nigeria would remember him?
A man who loves his country because Steve could have stayed abroad and make more money. He shunned this because he loves this country. He is a man of distinct quality because as I said, everything about Steve Rhodes is about distinction and quality. Privately, he lives in his head, his mind, like the best of people.

In a nation of copycats, why have we not seen more orchestra arrangements in Nigeria?
An orchestra band is not just what you organise like that. Orchestra is not our way. We are more casual people and our bands reflect that. Steve brought formal training, learning into highlife. Those he has taught musical notes are going to teach others, at least some of them have imbibed standards. There is a ground swell of admiration of Steve for his standards. He is a man who can dump you if he finds out that what you are doing is not good or of good standard.