1965 to 1970

URIAH HEEP have remained a steadfast contributor to quality British Hard Rock. The group has carved out an impressive international career based on grandiose, fantasy themed Rock tracks imbued with Progressive and even Country tones, often overlaid with lavish vocal harmonies. The band's most successful output is distinctively marked with the influential vocal stylings of the late DAVID BYRON. During their lengthy, a 25 year history the band has toured the world relentlessly and charted consistently, although are probably appreciated more outside of their homeland. URIAH HEEP originated from London outfit THE STALKERS, which formed in 1965 as a Beat combo. During 1967 the band featured guitarist Mick Box, bassist Ricky Hurd and drummer Roger Penlington. THE STALKERS lost their lead vocalist and Penlington offered the services of his cousin, David Byron (real surname Garrick) to fill the position.

Byron and Box, wishing to turn professional, later evolved THE STALKERS into SPICE during 1968. Following a few line-up shuffles, which saw the rhythm section of bassist Barry Green and drummer Nigel Pegrum ousted, the latter turning up in Progressive Rockers GNIDROLOG for two albums, SPICE finally settled on Box, Byron, organist Roy Sharland, ex-GODS bassist Paul Newton and drummer Alex Napier.

The band's affairs were handled by Gerry Bron at the time and he signed them to his Hit Records Productions company, resulting in the single 'What About The Music' in the same year on the United) Artist label. Newton only appeared on the B side of this single, 'In Love', as he was recruited mid session.

SPICE were regulars on the club circuit and in early 1969 secured a prestigious residency at London's Marquee club. At this stage in the band's development many cover versions bolstered the live set, and both Box and Byron were earning a living wage by covering successful Pop songs of the day for Avenue Records. SPICE also recorded demo tapes under another name, THE PLAY. Undergoing an identity crisis, the band began recording their debut album as SPICE, but initial recordings were shelved and by the time the album was completed SPICE had evolved into a completely different creature.

With the addition of ex-TOE FAT and GODS guitarist KEN HENSLEY to take the place of Sharland, who had joined ARTHUR BROWN and subsequently founded FUZZY DUCK, releasing one album, the band adopted both a new name and The handle URIAH HEEP came from the character in Charles Dickens 'David Copperfield'.

URIAH HEEP officially came onto the scene in June 1970 with the Gerry Bron produced 'Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble' album. The imagery and band title being all the more apt for it being the hundredth anniversary of the death of Charles Dickens that year. The British version of the album featured a photograph of Byron sprayed with theatrical cobwebbing, but the American version, simply billed 'Uriah Heep', featured a bizarre worm like dragon. The debut album contained as it's opening track the seminal 'Gypsy', a standard the band wrote as their first ever song and still a mainstay of their live set to this day. A slight variation on the US variant saw the track 'Bird Of Prey' imposed in place of 'Lucy Blue'.

The first URIAH HEEP line-up proper comprised of Box, Byron, Newton and Hensley together with former SPENCER DAVIS GROUP, PLASTIC PENNY and ELTON JOHN drummer Nigel Olsson.

1971

After the release of the first album, Olsson quit to rejoin the ELTON JOHN band, and later to become a successful producer, and was superseded by ex-BAKERLOO drummer Keith Baker. A further drum stool change came after the 1971 'Salisbury' album, when Baker was replaced by former CRESSIDA man Ian Clarke. 'Salisbury' also featured guest keyboards courtesy of Manfred Mann and a title track weighing in at nearly seventeen minutes. Once again, the American version of the album came with a different sleeve to the European original that featured a tank driving over a flower.

Interestingly, the song 'Lady In Black' gained the band massive single success in Germany many years after the album release, scoring the coveted number 1 single position and staying there for a massive thirteen weeks, earning the band a Golden Lion award.

HEEP were now beginning to make waves on the international scene and in 1971 undertook what was to be the first of many North American tours. For these dates URIAH HEEP supported STEPPENWOLF and THREE DOG NIGHT, throwing the band into the fire playing massive arenas.

The band's third album, 'Look At Yourself', saw yet more changes. Ian Clarke was out in favour of Hensley's former TOE FAT colleague Lee Kerslake and Newton lost his place in November 1971 to ex-COLLOSSEUM and TEMPEST bassist Mark Clarke. His stay was short-lived and Clarke, later to turn up in RAINBOW and MOUNTAIN, was quickly dispatched in favour of New Zealander and ex-THE NEW NADIR, KEEF HARTLEY BAND and MILLER ANDERSON BAND man Gary Thain.

1972 to 1973

The new line-up of David Byron on vocals, Mick Box on guitar, Gary Thain on bass, KEN HENSLEY on keyboards and drummer Lee Kerslake crafted the 'Demons And Wizards' album, URIAH HEEP's first record to be recorded on 16 track. Graced with one of noted fantasy artist Roger Dean's evocative paintings, the album was another solid effort, highlighted by the inclusion of live favourites 'Easy Livin'' and 'The Wizard'. 'Demons And Wizards' gave the band another chart hit to rival 'Lady In Black'. The single charting everywhere except Britain. 'Demons And Wizards' peaked at a healthy no. 23 in North America and remained entrenched in the charts for a further three months. However, as the band later admitted, Gary Thain's reliance on heroin was by now beginning to take its toll. Nevertheless, not resting on their laurels the band soon got out another album, 'The Magician's Birthday' before the close of the year.

URIAH HEEP was by now a truly international success with the Australian charts in particular featuring numerous albums and singles simultaneously.

Their debut live record quickly sold more than a million copies. 'Sweet Freedom', where the band recorded for the first time in France, spawned another hit single in 'Stealin''.

As with 'Easy Livin'', the 'Stealin'' single charted everywhere with the exception of the band's home country. By now, URIAH HEEP was regularly at the top of the Australian and New Zealand charts. Indeed, the band were the subject of a special double album release, titled 'Downunda', made available solely in those territories. In Norway, the 'Live 1973' album was only held off the top of the national album charts, three weeks running, by THE BEATLES. Further frustration came for the band in Norway during November, when it was the ROLLING STONES turn to keep 'Sweet Freedom' off the top position.

1974 to 1975

URIAH HEEP's line-up remained thankfully stable until the 1974 album 'Wonderland'. Another mammoth world tour ensued following the album's release including shows in Australia and New Zealand. Thain, desperately ill from drug dependency, was to have his position ably filled by ex KING CRIMSON, ROXY MUSIC and FAMILY bassist JOHN WETTON.

During 1975 Thain had suffered a massive onstage electric shock in Dallas, Texas resulting in the cancellation of an American tour. Thain was finally to overdose on pills on December 8th 1975, sadly resulting in his death. The band doggedly soldiered on with a 45 date tour of America before successful British dates.

1975 also saw URIAH HEEP's position solidified as a band of international major status, with the release of a 'Best Of' album. There were also two solo efforts in DAVID BYRON's 'Take No Prisoners' (which had contributions from both Box and Kerslake) and Hensley's second solo record, 'Eager To Please', which featured ex URIAH HEEP bassist Mark Clarke.

Unfortunately, URIAH HEEP slowly fragmented with constantly shifting line ups, but still managed to release a string of albums. 'Return To Fantasy' proved a highlight, peaking at number 7 in the British charts but the follow up 'High And Mighty' was a patchy affair that failed to sell as well. Only in Scandinavia did the album fare well, peaking at no. 4 in Norway and remaining lodged in the charts for 13 weeks. Nevertheless, the band geared up for road work once more on a British tour that saw WIDOWMAKER (featuring a future HEEP member bassist Bob Daisley) as strong support.

1976 to 1978

By this point in the URIAH HEEP saga DAVID BYRON's increasing reliance on drink and drugs was creating frictions within the band and becoming increasingly noticeable onstage. At the close of their 1976 Spanish tour Byron was asked to leave. The singer hastily created his own band, ROUGH DIAMOND with ex-BAKERLOO, COLOSSEUM and HUMBLE PIE guitarist Clem Clempson, and Wetton departed soon after, eventually to find American stardom with ASIA.

During this time of flux erstwhile DEEP PURPLE vocalist DAVID COVERDALE actually rehearsed with URIAH HEEP, before he in turn asked Box and Kerslake to help kick start his own WHITESNAKE project. Also involved at this juncture was former ACE KEFFORD STAND and BEDLAM bassist Denny Ball. Finally the gaps were filled. Ex-LUCIFER'S FRIEND vocalist John Lawton and former DAVID BOWIE and WISHBONE ASH bassist Trevor Bolder joined as the band soldiered on, although the musical took a radical detour into more Pop orientated territory.

1977's 'Firefly' album received critical praise and, with renewed vigour, URIAH HEEP commenced touring once more, opening with an American support slot to KISS. However, sales were lacking and 'Firefly' was to remain outside of the charts. The ensuing 'Innocent Victim' also made no headway in the British charts but put URIAH HEEP back on the map, being the band's best selling album to date in Germany, where the single 'Free Me' also fared well.

1978's 'Fallen Angel' combined radio friendly material, such as 'Come Back To Me' and 'All Or Nothing', alongside bona fide Hard Rockers. Although the band's tours continued to be well attended 'Fallen Angel' proved a poor seller. As the band once more ensconced themselves in the recording studio both Lawton and Kerslake quit.

1979 to 1981

URIAH HEEP once more shifted shape as more new recruits included ex-MANFRED MANN drummer Chris Slade, filling the gap left by Kerslake and former LONE STAR vocalist JOHN SLOMAN. The band actually auditioned Pete Goalby for the vocalist position but favoured Sloman, who was being billed at the time by many as the new Robert Plant.

Post HEEP Kerslake had set about forging a fresh group in alliance with erstwhile MANFRED MANN bassist Colin Pattendon and then unknown future GO WEST vocalist Pete Cox. This venture was brought to an abrupt halt when the drummer was inducted into the new OZZY OSBOURNE band, Kerslake going on to grace the monumental 'Blizzard Of Oz' and 'Diary Of A Madman' records.

The frictions that had caused Kerslake's departure would unfortunately resurface. In the middle of recording 'Conquest' in 1980 KEN HENSLEY left the band, apparently unable to reconcile himself with Sloman's vocal Hensley went on to release his third solo album ,'Free Spirit', on Bronze Records in 1981. He would also create a fresh act titled SHOTGUN which featured Denny Ball on bass, guitarist Derek Marshall, ex-KINKS keyboard player Ian Gibbons and SILVERHEAD drummer Pete Thompson. SHOTGUN put in one gig at London's Marquee (to which all of URIAH HEEP turned up!) before folding. Hensley then joined American Southern Rockers BLACKFOOT.

Hensley's position was taken in November 1980 by Canadian Greg Dechart, who had worked together with Sloman in the act PULSAR. With this configuration of personnel, URIAH HEEP cut the 'Think It Over' single and set out on a poorly attended British tour in November 1980. Sloman, seeing the writing on the wall from both fans and critics, departed in early 1981 and was to hook up with the GARY MOORE band. Sloman was also involved in ex-TYGERS OF PAN TANG guitarist JOHN SYKES project BADLANDS with WHITESNAKE bassist Neil Murray although this project faltered as Sykes was drafted into THIN LIZZY. Chris Slade joined GARY NUMAN and much later AC/DC. Dechart joined MIKE AND THE MECHANICS.

Box tried to reform the band with bassist Trevor Bolder, but the latter succumbed to an offer from WISHBONE ASH and set off for pastures new. Desperate not to let the name just fizzle out, Box even asked Byron to rejoin. The offer was declined.

1982 to 1985

Mick Box finally got URIAH HEEP back off the ground with the release of the Ashley Howe produced 'Abominog' in 1982. The new URIAH HEEP boasted a line-up of ex-TRAPEZE and RAINBOW vocalist Pete Goalby, former HEAVY METAL KIDS keyboardist John Sinclair, former RAINBOW and WIDOWMAKER bassist Bob Daisley and, much to longstanding fans appreciation, a returning Lee Kerslake. The drummer had just left the OZZY OSBOURNE band along with Daisley.

Box and company actually waited for Goalby to finish an American tour with TRAPEZE before recording and in the meantime had auditioned former ARGENT man John Verity in the interim. Verity would later have a brief Liaison with MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and issue albums under his own steam as the JOHN VERITY BAND.

URIAH HEEP's first move with Goalby was a theatre tour of America with support coming from British act GRIM REAPER as 'Abominog' rejuvenated the band's career, bringing in many new fans and the album proved a worldwide success. The single, 'That's The Way That It Is', even secured a placing in the American national charts, and the band put in a storming performance at the Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' festival.

URIAH HEEP pulled out all the stops during 1983 promoting the 'Head First' album, where the new line up of Box, Goalby, Sinclair, Kerslake and former bassist Trevor Bolder (Daisley having drifted back once more to OZZY OSBOURNE) undertook a gruelling world tour. Starting in Europe then adding America (supporting DEF LEPPARD, JUDAS PRIEST, RUSH and ZZ TOP), Japan, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and back once more to America URIAH HEEP pulled out all the stops.

URIAH HEEP also appeared at the Belgian Heavy Sound festival in the same year alongside GARY MOORE, GOLDEN EARRING, ANVIL and BARON ROJO. The band was now intent on making drastic changes to their organisation following the 'Head First' world tour, splitting from both management and longtime record company Bronze to sign with Portrait, an affiliate of CBS Records. The first fruits of this liaison being the excellent and well received Tony Platt produced 'Equator' album. That same year both John Sinclair and Pete Goalby guested as backing vocalists on the SHY album 'Brave The Storm'.

1986 to 1994

This renaissance period for the band came to a close when in 1985 Pete Goalby left, suffering from vocal problems which culminated in his voice collapsing during an Australian tour. He was at first replaced by American, ex-JOSHUA vocalist Steven Fontaine for a series of American club dates before URIAH HEEP drafted in former PRAYING MANTIS and GRAND PRIX vocalist Bernie Shaw. Following on from a chaotic period the advent of the Canadian vocalist would signal a period of much needed stability within the ranks. Fontaine meantime created RINGLEADER for a 1989 album.

The band, parting company with Sinclair who teamed up with OZZY OSBOURNE, also added another ex-GRAND PRIX member, keyboard player Phil Lanzon, who had recently been touring with the reformed SWEET and briefly had been involved with LIONHEART.

Oddly, the band actually announced they were splitting in March 1986 but by 1987 were on tour in Russia, having secured a new deal with Legacy Records. These dates in Russia saw the band playing to a massive 185'000 people and gave URIAH HEEP the honour of being the first major Rock act to play the Soviet Union. Topping off a busy year, URIAH HEEP co-headlined the Reading Festival alongside MEAT LOAF for the second time in their career.

1991 again saw URIAH HEEP touring throughout both North and South America, before finishing the 'Different World' album. Unwilling to wait for a producer of their choice, Bolder took over the production mantle. UK touring in March of 1991 saw DANGEROUS as support act.

1995 to 2007

URIAH HEEP ventured to South Africa in March of 1995, acting as support to DEEP PURPLE. The band's European tour saw John Lawton fronting the band once more, putting his act LUCIFER'S FRIEND on hold briefly, to fill in for Shaw who had throat problems. Before the call Lawton had been concentrating his efforts on his own band GUNHILL. With the latest URIAH HEEP album, 'Sea Of Light', selling well across Europe, the band extended their tour to take in the Czech Republic, Scandinavia and Brazil.

Shaw returned in 1996 for the fourth, official URIAH HEEP live album 'Spellbinder Live'. Like 'Sea Of Light', the album was released through the German owned CBH Records. URIAH HEEP's 1998 studio album 'Sonic Origami' produced by Pip Williams of STATUS QUO fame, pushed the band toward AOR territory, even including a song written by SURVIVOR guitarist JIM PETERIK. British touring found the band supported by Liverpool's DEADLINE. Meantime top German Metal act GAMMA RAY covered 'Return To Fantasy' on their 'Somewhere Out In Space' album. A high profile tribute album, 'Heepsteria', also arrived in 1999 which included contributions from ex-members KEN HENSLEY, John Lawton and Denny Ball alongside current keyboard player Phil Lanzon.

The band themselves rounded off 2000 with a December Christmas party held at the Mermaid Theatre in London. The event would be recorded for posterity and issued as the 'Acoustically Driven' live album, part of a set also including its counterpart 'Electronically Driven'. With renewed interest in the band these albums spawned two singles, reworked versions of the classics 'Come Away Melinda' and 'Lady In Black'.

URIAH HEEP was back on the live trail in 2001 undertaking a joint sell out UK tour with fellow veterans NAZARETH prior to headline European dates with American guests SURVIVOR.

A long overdue tribute album 'A Return To Fantasy' was issued in August 2001 on the German Century Media label. The record comprised of ANGEL DUST's take on 'Easy Livin', American Metal act LIEGE LORD with 'Too Scared To Run', Swedes TAD MOROSE on 'Rainbow Demon', German axe hero AXEL RUDI PELL's rendition of 'July Morning', Christian Rockers NARNIA's version of 'Sunrise', FREEBASE with 'Suicidal Man', Metal crusaders SACRED STEEL with 'Return To Fantasy', BLIND GUARDIAN's 'The Wizard', Kai Hansen's GAMMA RAY on 'Look At Yourself', NIGHTINGALE with 'Stealin'', LANA LANE's 'Weep In Silence', ONWARD with 'Bird Of Prey' and the suitably titled EASY LIVIN's attempt at 'Circle Of Hands'. The same year the vast bulk of URIAH HEEP's catalogue would be re-issued en masse by the Sanctuary group.

In related activity many fans were surprised to witness ex member KEN HENSLEY teaming up with another erstwhile URIAH HEEP singer John Lawton and bassist Paul Newton for a new band project SALISBURY. An album was rumoured to be on the cards but following a handful of European gigs SALISBURY folded.

A significant weekend would occur for URIAH HEEP fans in London during December of 2001 as the band celebrated the 21st anniversary of the 'Magician's Birthday' album. Three days of Heep related events included a performance by the JOHN LAWTON BAND at the Borderline Café on Thursday 6th, URIAH HEEP themselves with a guesting KEN HENSLEY at the Shepards Bush Empire on Friday 7th and a joint KEN HENSLEY and JOHN WETTON gig at the Forum venue on Saturday 8th.

By May of 2002 erstwhile vocalist JOHN LAWTON was being linked to present day URIAH HEEP vocalist Bernie Shaw in an apparent new venture. Lawton would also busy himself with the LAWTON / DUNNING PROJECT, releasing an album entitled 'Steppin' It Up' through the Classic Rock Legends label.

June of 2003 brought news of a high profile URIAH HEEP connected project billed as LIVING LOUD. It was learned that both bass player Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake had ensconced themselves in a Florida studio, recording an album 'Relentless' with none other than established Australian Rock star JIMMY BARNES and the DEEP PURPLE pairing of guitarist STEVE MORSE and keyboard player DON AIREY. The DEEP PURPLE connection continued as both bands united for Scandinavian dates that November.

The band closed out 2003 by uniting with fellow Rock veterans BLUE ÖYSTER CULT and upcoming Stoners FIREBALL MINISTRY for German gigs in December. UK gigs for URIAH HEEP in 2004 saw WHITE NOISE as support act whilst Scandinavian shows had SPEARFISH as openers. Returning the favour, Mick Box guested on the 2005 album 'Area 605' from SPEARFISH. November of 2005 saw the band on the UK gig circuit once again, partnering up with joint headliners ASIA.

URIAH HEEP partnered with ex-FOCUS guitarist JAN AKKERMAN for Brazilian shows in September 2006. That December the group revealed it had signed a fresh recording deal for a new studio album with Sanctuary Records. Mike Paxman was chosen to produce.

January 2007 witnessed longstanding drummer Lee Kerslake bowing out due to health problems. In mid March the group announced the addition of drummer Russell Gilbrook to the group's ranks. URIAH HEEP soldiered on, with live work including a show alongside DEEP PURPLE at the Laugardalshöll Music Hall in Reykjavík, Iceland on May 27th.

The album 'Wake The Sleeper' saw issue to commendable reviews in September 2008. URIAH HEEP partnered with THIN LIZZY for concerts across Europe in October.

Album recordings dubbed 'Celebration' were completed in July 2009. The album was finally released on October 16th by Edel in three different versions. The standard edition comes as CD only, the deluxe edition as CD plus DVD and the collector's edition as CD plus 7" vinyl single signed by Mick Box. All versions contain re-recorded version of older titles with the actual band line-up as well as two new songs 'Only Human' and 'Corridors Of Madness'.

Garry Sharpe-Young