Stephen Roy Carlisle

A life well lived, a rhythm well played, and a love deeply shared.

Surrounded by the places and people he loved most this photo captures Steve as many will remember him—at ease, smiling, laughing, and taking in the beauty around him.

Steve was born in Decatur, Illinois, and later moved with his family to the Kirkwood area of St. Louis, Missouri. From an early age, he was immersed in a wide range of music through his parents—an exposure that would shape the course of his life. Steve developed a deep passion for playing the drums after hearing the legendary Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, an influence that ignited a lifelong pursuit of music.

In the fall of 1970, Steve and his family relocated to Marietta, Georgia. There, he continued to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician, embracing the long and demanding road that often accompanies such a calling. He performed with a variety of musicians throughout Atlanta, including touring with Clarence Carter on the Chitlin Circuit. Following that experience, and through many other band incarnations, Steve joined the band Raggedy Anne, which later became Riggs.

Years of dedication and life on the road paid off when Riggs received a recording contract with Warner Brothers. The band recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles. During this time, Riggs was asked by Irving Azoff to contribute two original songs to the soundtrack of the movie Heavy Metal, released in 1981. The soundtrack ultimately achieved double platinum status. Steve’s contributions to those recordings, and to the entire Riggs catalog, were a lasting source of pride and joy for him.

Steve will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to music, the joy he brought both on and off the stage, and his deep respect for those he played with. With each performance, he hoped that when the final song ended, everyone in the room had felt what he poured into the music—and they always did.

According to his bandmates, Steve had a rare ability to make every song come to life with his “no-nonsense” style of drumming. He had only one setting—100 percent, at all times. He approached every performance with an upbeat attitude, a twinkle in his eye, and a readiness to enjoy the moment, a spirit that was contagious to everyone around him.

In 1983, Steve met Debbie, and together they began a life grounded in love and happiness. They married in 1985 and later welcomed two sons, John and Jeremy. Their 40-year marriage was a testament to true and enduring love, marked by his complete devotion to family. Most important was how he loved—his family knows that love deeply and will carry that legacy forward.

For all who knew him, Steve’s innate talent was helping others laugh, which inevitably made moments lighter and filled with pure joy. He took great pleasure in making people laugh. It is a gift he has left to others, never to be forgotten.

Steve’s family was blessed to make endless memories on their annual ski trips, gathering at home to grill and enjoy nature, and most especially at the haven of Alligator Point. There, Steve could often be found shucking oysters, cracking crabs, and quietly pondering the ocean.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife Debbie; sons John Carlisle (Stephanie) and Jeremy Carlisle (Amanda); cherished grandchildren, Maxwell and Cameran; sister Marlene Carlisle; brother-in-law Larry Haarmon; sister-in-law Angie Matthiessen (Britt); nieces and nephews, Michelle Binion (Robert), Denver Hullender, Leah Matthiessen.

A Celebration of Life for Steve will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Lebanon Baptist Church, 11250 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Steve Carlisle’s memory to the Atlanta Musicians Emergency Relief Fund, www.amerf.org. (click “Give Help” at the top of the page) or mailed to 804 Edgewood Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. For additional information, call 404-525-3797.

Steve drew deep inspiration from the legendary John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Like the drummer he admired, Steve understood that the music depends on a steady heartbeat beneath it. He was that heartbeat—steady, attentive, and always in service of the song. In the same way, he was the quiet rhythm of his family’s life, keeping time, holding everything together, and allowing others to shine.

The music of his life continues—carried forward in the hearts of his family and those who loved him.