Snooker Champion Left Speechless by Steve Davis' Unlikely Second Act
Snooker star Alfie Burden has expressed utter astonishment upon discovering the surprising second career of six-time world champion Steve Davis as a DJ. The revelation emerged during a conversation with snooker legend Stephen Hendry, leaving Burden struggling to comprehend how a former snooker icon could transition into electronic music performance.
From Snooker Table to DJ Booth
Steve Davis, who dominated snooker throughout the 1980s with 28 ranking titles before retiring in 2016, has since pursued an unexpected musical path. The 68-year-old performs under the stage name DJ Thundermuscle and appears regularly with his group The Utopia Strong at high-profile events across the music scene.
"Davis is a DJ now, isn't he? That's incredible," Burden said during his guest appearance on Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips podcast. "When somebody first told me that... what is he Thundermuscle or something? I thought it was a wind-up. I thought, 'How can you go from a snooker player to a full-on DJ with a name like Thundermuscle?'"
Musical Achievements Beyond the Baize
Davis' musical endeavors have reached impressive heights since he established The Utopia Strong in 2018. The group has released four albums and performed at major venues including two appearances at Glastonbury Festival. Most notably, they supported Blur during their two Wembley Stadium concerts in July 2023.
Offering insight into his BBC colleague's musical career, Hendry remarked: "I think he's just brought out his fourth or fifth CD. I mean, it's not music. If you heard it, you wouldn't believe it. He's played Glastonbury twice, I think. He's supported Blur at Wembley."
Davis' Perspective on His Unconventional Path
Speaking to the Mirror before the Wembley shows, Davis expressed his excitement about the opportunity. "I am just absolutely chuffed - how much fun will that be to do," he said. "There are probably other DJs that should be a lot higher up the pecking order for something like this. But whoever decided they liked this strange thing we are doing, I am grateful."
He added: "It will be very different to being a punter - just mad. Glastonbury was just mad when we got asked to that, and this is ridiculous. The party atmosphere from DJ-ing is great fun and I have done it enough that I don't get too uptight about it and just enjoy playing music that maybe turns people on to different music."
Burden's Recent Snooker Success
The revelation about Davis' second career came as Burden himself enjoys significant success in snooker. The 49-year-old secured his maiden ranking title at December's Shoot Out with a commanding 63-8 victory over Stuart Bingham in Blackpool. He also lifted the World Seniors Championship last year following his triumph against Aaron Canavan.
Davis' transition from snooker champion to electronic music performer continues to surprise those within the sport, demonstrating how athletes can successfully pursue unexpected passions beyond their primary careers.
