Stephen Bishop Looks Back at his Career-Defining Debut Album with a Luxe 50th Anniversary Reissue
Stephen Bishop’s 1976 debut, *Careless*, began as a project its record company had little faith in, yet it produced hit singles and sold far beyond initial expectations. A deluxe vinyl reissue marking its 50th anniversary revisits the album and the relationships that helped launch Bishop’s career.
The remastered edition includes two tracks omitted from the original release, liner notes, session photographs, song drafts, limited-edition splatter vinyl and a colourised cover. Bishop recalls nearly returning to San Diego to work in his father’s insurance business before a connection through Leah and Russ Kunkel led to him writing two songs for Art Garfunkel’s *Breakaway*. Garfunkel then helped secure a $3,000 advance from Columbia Records, which sustained Bishop until he obtained his own record deal.
- Stephen Bishop’s debut *Careless* is being reissued for its 50th anniversary.
- The deluxe vinyl includes two songs left off the original album.
- Art Garfunkel’s support helped Bishop get an early $3,000 advance.
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Stephen Bishop is an American singer-songwriter whose first album, Careless, came out in 1976. Before its release, he was close to giving up music and returning to San Diego to work in his father’s insurance business.
A connection through Leah and Russ Kunkel led Bishop to write songs for singer Art Garfunkel, who helped him get a small advance from Columbia Records. That support gave Bishop time to pursue a recording deal of his own.
Careless went on to produce hit singles and sell more copies than the record company had expected. Its success marked the start of Bishop’s recording career and helps explain why the album is being revisited five decades later.