Los Angeles Hard Rock outfit BLACK SHEEP became known as a familiar port of call for many of California's seasoned guitar players. BLACK SHEEP's 1985 'Trouble In The Streets' album was recorded with the aid of guitarists PAUL GILBERT (although unaccredited) and GEORGE LYNCH. Whilst the former would become known to Rock fans with RACER X and then MR. BIG, the latter was already something of an established name with DOKKEN.

BLACK SHEEP subsequently became something of a breeding ground for budding superstars, GUNS N' ROSES' Slash playing with the group at one time. By coincidence, a 1984 gig at at the Music Machine supporting STRYPER would also see HOLLYWOOD ROSE on the billing, this band featuring no less than a pre-GUNS N' ROSES Axl Rose on vocals. However, following this gig HOLLYWOOD ROSE broke up then duly reformed snatching away Slash in the process.

Other BLACK SHEEP accredited guitarists included Kurt James of DR. MASTERMIND, STEELER and TALAS man MITCH PERRY and JEFF NORTHRUP. Bass was handled at one stage by LEATHERWOLF's Paul Carmen. On the drumming front the band employed Randy Castillo, subsequently of LITA FORD, OZZY OSBOURNE and MÖTLEY CRÜE fame, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS man Randi Meers, the veteran Tommy Aldridge of BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, WHITESNAKE and OZZY OSBOURNE repute and James Kottak of KINGDOM COME, WILD HORSES and the SCORPIONS.

BLACK SHEEP's undisputed leader, Willie Basse, had originally been with OZZ in 1979 alongside Gregg Parker and he worked with another black guitarist, ex-SOUNDBARRIER man Spacey T., in SPACEY T'S LIBERTY during 1986.

In 1989 BLACK SHEEP was still a going concern, this time comprising vocalist / bassist Basse, guitarists Mark Harden and ex-WHYTE LACE man Walt Anthony and drummer Mark Altieri. This line-up recorded a three track demo.

Willie Basse marked a return in late 2008 with a solo album 'The Money Grind' on his own label New Empire Media. His band included the notable figures of guitarist Mitch Perry, former BLACK SABBATH keyboard player Geoff Nicholls and ex-RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT drummer Bobby Rondinelli.