Ian Stephens (poet)

Ian Stephens (1955 – March 22, 1996) was a Canadian poet, journalist and musician from Montreal, Quebec, best known as one of the major Canadian voices in the spoken word movement of the 1990s.^[1] Most of his work focused on his experiences living with AIDS.^[2]

Stephens studied at Bishop's University and Concordia University.^[3]

In 1984, Stephens released a 45 RPM single with band Disappointed a Few People, titled Fuck With Christ, on Les Disques Noirs, followed in 1986 by album Dead in Love, on Psyche Industry Records.^[4] The group disbanded in 1988.

In 1992, Stephens released a spoken word CD, Wining Dining Drilling, which featured his poetry with a punk rock-influenced musical backing.^[5] The album included tracks such as "Coroner Wants a Kiss," "Loser w/ a Hard-On," "Sex is Dog," "Queer in Amerika", "I Started to Get Sick in New York" and "The AIDS Guy". He published a book of poetry, Diary of a Trademark, in 1994;^[2] the following year, he released an album of the same title, featuring his recitations of many of the pieces in the book.^[2] The title track was later included on Word Up, a compilation of spoken word poetry.^[2]

Stephens was also a regular writer for the Montreal Mirror, contributing book reviews and a 1994 cover story, "A Weary State of Grace", on living with AIDS.^[2] He had begun writing a novel, although it was not completed before his death.^[3]

He died in 1996 of AIDS-related lymphoma.^[3]

References

This page was last edited on 14 March 2023, at 00:17