ROUGH DIAMOND was the result of a short-lived liaison between ex-URIAH HEEP vocalist DAVID BYRON and former BAKERLOO, COLOSSEUM and HUMBLE PIE guitarist Dave 'Clem' Clempson. Drummer Geoff Britton was a veteran of WINGS. Following on from his solo album 'Take No Prisoners' the singer forged ROUGH DIAMOND adopting a bluesier style than previous Hard Rock material he was known for. A solitary album, a self produced effort recorded at at Olympic Studios and Basing St. Street Studios in London during late 1976, was released through Island Records in 1977. Live work was undertaken as support act to PETER FRAMPTON in North America that same year.

The band would evolve, minus Byron, into CHAMPION. Bryon went solo once again for 1978's 'Baby Faced Killer'.