Often described as 'the best undiscovered band in America', LEGS DIAMOND's undoubted talent never translated to particularly strong record sales for many reasons outside of the band's control. Their rich brand of Melodic Hard Rock with a keen classic flavour early on in the band's career earned the quintet a host of admirers. Taking its name from the infamous 30's gangster Jack 'Legs' Diamond', this Los Angeles act was initially founded in 1972 bassist Michael Gargano and drummer Jeff Poole.

It would be 1974 before the first real line-up of the band would be recognized. Having become dissatisfied with their front man, a man only identified as Greg, the band advertised for a fresh vocalist and coincidentally bumped into Rick Sanford also advertising for a band to front. Before long Sanford's position in LEGS DIAMOND was assured alongside keyboard player Michael Prince and Detroit born guitarist Roger Romeo, a late replacement for Donovan McKitty.

McKitty was a black guitarist with a fearsome reputation in Los Angeles. Tragically, a mere month before the band were due to record their debut album, the story has it that he was struck down with a severe eye disease that, had it not been for a sight saving operation in New York, would have left the talented McKitty totally blind. Following the successful surgery McKitty seemingly relocated to Britain, where he briefly worked with former members of DIRTY TRICKS.

LEGS DIAMOND's inaugural commercial recording came with the track 'Rat Race' on a 1976 sampler album released by the Los Angeles based radio station K-West. The track's inclusion on the album played a minor part in LEGS DIAMOND being signed by Mercury Records. However, major players in the band's record deal, would be producer Derek Lawrence and Mercury employee Cliff Burnstein. The latter, of course, is now better known for his co-managing role with Peter Mensch in the Q Prime company. It's fair to say that Lawrence's involvement was due to his links with LEGS DIAMOND's management company, Toby, who also handled ANGEL. Consequently, LEGS DIAMOND were put into the studio with Derek Lawrence once the deal with Mercury Records was signed.

Lawrence went on to produce the band's self-titled debut album, by which time Michael Gargano had changed his name to Michael Diamond. The original plan had been for the whole band to adopt Diamond for a surname, but then someone pointed out that it would be a little odd having two Michael Diamond's in the band! The bassist reportedly decided to change his name anyway as his was the most difficult to pronounce.

The band also, initially, went for the full gangster image, singer Sanford actually packing a gun and shoulder holster ensemble until figuring out that it was not perhaps the wisest thing to do playing some of the joints they were playing. The band's debut scored heavy airplay in the Southern states of America quickly building up an enviable following in Texas, a region that would remain loyal to LEGS DIAMOND for the majority of their career.

LEGS DIAMOND toured with KISS, REO SPEEDWAGON, MONTROSE, STYX, MOXY, TED NUGENT, REX and ANGEL amongst others before entering into production for their second album, 'A Diamond Is A Hard Rock', later in the year.

The album was produced by Eddie Leonetti, the man responsible for management stable mates ANGEL's 'White Hot' album in the same period (and would later produce the 'Sinful' and 'Live Without A Net' sets as well), and finds the band in an altogether more punchier mood. However, wrangles between the band's management and Mercury Records led to the collapse of the band's deal and LEGS DIAMOND were soon back in the studio demoing and the band eventually grabbed a deal with Cream Records.

LEGS DIAMOND's third album, 'Firepower' arrived in 1979 and consisted of an uneasy amalgam between straight ahead rock numbers and tracks boasting a far more commercial direction than that travelled previously by the quintet. Cream had also insisted on a couple of cover songs, including a rendition of the old RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS chestnut "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'. LEGS DIAMOND were in no hurry to record another record with the label, especially after learning that Cream had plans for a trumpet player (with no experience of Hard Rock) to produce 'Firepower's successor. The split with Cream was thus inevitable and it was followed by the departure of guitarist Roger Romeo, who wished to pursue a more poppier, New Wave style that left his band mates uncomfortable with when he attempted to bring such influences to LEGS' music. As it transpired, Romeo would unite with drummer Bobby Blotzer and Tom Croucier, although this union ended when both these musicians enrolled into the ranks of DOKKEN.

Building the band up to strength LEGS DIAMOND brought in ex-NAKED ANGEL guitarist Jimmy May, with whom they recorded a batch of new demos at Spencer Proffer's Pasha studios. A new deal was not forthcoming, however and Sanford opted to pursue a project with the drummer from popsters THE KNACK leaving LEGS DIAMOND in the lurch once more. Changing tack, the band adopted a new title of BLACK N'BLUE adding vocalist Tim Eaton. This incarnation lasted a matter of weeks and only one gig prior to another name change to BELLADONNA then RAG DOLL. In this last guise the band scored the inclusion of two tracks 'Nobody's Fool' and 'Love On The Side', on the compilation album 'L.A.'s Hottest Unsigned Bands' released on Backhouse Records in 1983. Jeff Poole played drums on 'Love On The Side', 'Nobody's Fool' (a track that would later be recorded by LEGS DIAMOND for the 'Out On Bail' album ) features Jon Merritt wielding the sticks.

RAG DOLL faltered on through the California club scene for a few months, including some shows opening for W.A.S.P. before dissolving. Diamond quit once more and Prince began assembling a new version of LEGS DIAMOND with ex-HEAD SHAKER bassist Mike Christie, having briefly worked with Greg Chaisson.

With Sanford's return, LEGS DIAMOND were back on track. Signing to Los Angeles indie label, the Mark Leonard owned Target Records, the group put out a Mini LP, 'Out On Bail', to mark their return in 1984. Picking up on the positive press the resurrected band were now receiving in Britain, Music For Nations picked up the record for release in Europe, adding two extra tracks and would retain links with the group for all subsequent releases.

Jeff Poole, who had been forced to use electronic Simmons drums for 'Out On Bail' due to problems in the studio, left LEGS DIAMOND after the record was finished. He would later turn up as a member of SECRETS. Eager to get back on the road, the band enrolled erstwhile LITA FORD drummer Dusty Watson. The new candidate recorded the ensuing 'Land Of The Gun' album, but was soon replaced by erstwhile BROKEN SILENCE sticksman Jonathan Valen. 'Land Of The Gun' was a self produced affair, the band being in a position to record an album the way they wanted, the general consensus being that no producer had ever been able to capture the true feel of the band.

A misunderstanding led to the Music For Nations released version of 'Land Of The Gun' having the titles of two tracks, 'Twisted Love' and 'Right Between The Eyes', printed on the album cover and the lyrics for both songs on the inner sleeve even though they do not actually appear on the record itself. The tracks do appear on the cassette version of the American release on Target Records and Music For Nations issued them as the additional tracks on the 'Turn To Stone' 12" single.

Subsequently, Jonathon Valen, infamously, performed live percussion work on the 1986 JUDAS PRIEST 'Turbo' American tour. He also guested on the debut 1988 album by RAZOR BABY titled 'Too Hot To Handle'.

The group split in 1987 and Mike Prince assembled the Pomp Rock group ROQ ROYALE that included vocalist Nate Schaefer, guitarist Billy Cannon, bassist Jean Paul Tante and drummer John Merritt. The group signed to Atlantic Records and recorded a Roy Thomas Baker produced album, featuring a cover of LEGS DIAMOND's 'Walk Away', that wound up being rejected by the label and forced to be remixed.

Eventually, Prince chose to regroup LEGS DIAMOND in 1989 and was joined by Sanford, original guitarist Roger Romeo, bassist Mike Chaisson (a.k.a. Mike Christie) and a returning Dusty Watson on drums. The 'Captured Live' album was recorded on 28 April 1990 in San Antonio, Texas. LEGS DIAMOND toured the British clubs during 1991 supported by Brit metallers WRAITH.

Diamond was involved early on with DOKKEN man Jeff Pilson's WAR AND PEACE outfit. Although this band, also including guitarist RANDY HANSEN and BLACK SABBATH and DIO drummer Vinnie Appice, failed to secure a deal recordings were issued in 1999 as 'The Flesh And Blood Sessions'.

Michael Prince was rumoured to be working with none other than MICHAEL JACKSON as a member of his touring band and was planning to issue the first three LEGS DIAMOND albums on CD for the first time at some point during 1998. An album of previously unreleased material was set for release through Zoom Club Records in early 1998. Meantime, Romeo had founded a new project in the Blues Rock vein initially dubbed PRIDE AND JOY but later emerging as THE RIFF ROCKERS. Jeff Poole would join him on drums for the debut CD 'Pop's Got The Blues' which saw a band rounded out by bassist Teddy Kaye and keyboard player Nicky Ford.

LEGS DIAMOND in 2000 would cite a line up of Sanford, Prince, Poole alongside SISTER SHOTGUN and BONEYARD bassist Adam Kury and guitarist Jeff Marcus. The band still retained its status, putting in a show with DIO and BUDGIE to 6'000 fans at the Sunken Gardens Arena in San Antonio, Texas that April. Kury would later form part of L.A. GUNS vocalist PHIL LEWIS's side outfit the LIBERATORS.

The band, through their own Diamond Records label, released a compilation entitled 'Favorite Ones' in 2003, this collection bolstered by the inclusion of two brand new songs. LEGS DIAMOND, comprising Rick Sanford, Michael Prince, Jeff Poole, Roger Romeo and Adam Kury, marked a return in 2004, signing to the AOR Heaven label for a new studio album. However, Rick Sanford exited once again during early 2005, being replaced by John Levesque, a veteran of MONTROSE, WILD HORSES and SHOUT. The new look band undertook album recordings prior to making a European debut as co-headliners of the 'United Forces Of Rock' festival, alongside PRIDE OF LIONS, SEVENTH KEY, JADED HEART, CASANOVA, PUMP, BLANC FACES and JOHN WETTON / GEOFFREY DOWNES, in October at the Rockfabrik in Ludwigsburg, Germany.