Uriah Heep are set to commence the recording of their brand new studio album - the 25th in their storied career, which will be titled, appropriately enough, Living The Dream.
"We have been together for 47 years and we have seen many bands come and go, so in effect we are Still Living The Dream, so it was the perfect title for the new album, says Uriah Heep guitarist and founding member Mick Box.
Jay Ruston has been called in to produce the album. Mick continues, We chose Jay because we admire his work with The Winery Dogs, Stone Sour, Black Star Riders, Paul Gilbert, and Europe. Jay has either produced, mixed or both for these bands, and he will bring a fresh approach to Heep, which we are very much looking forward to."
The plan is release the album through Frontiers in fall 2018 (release window subject to change). The band is beyond excited with the material written for the new album, which will include some epic additions to the bands huge catalog of rock staples and looks forward to sharing it with their fans around the world.
In the meantime, the band has announced four Canadian tour dates, with more shows in the works. "The mighty Heep are proudly able to tour in over 61 countries and we look forward to a packed touring schedule in 2018. Touring is in our blood and what we have a passion to do, and so 2018 is no exception, concludes Box.
Uriah Heep debuted in 1970 with the release of one of hard rocks milestones, Very 'eavy... Very 'umble, and have since sold in excess of 30 millions albums worldwide. They constantly tour the world, playing up to 125 shows a year to 500,000+ fans. The bands live set features the classic tracks from the '70s and is a musical journey from the band's beginnings to the present day
During the late 60's Elton John sang on various 'budget' compilation releases including Music For Pleasure Chart Hits albums. Elton recorded as Stevie Wonder, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Brotherhood of Man and sang on a cover version of The England World Cup song 'Back Home.'
1956, Elvis Presley gave his final performance on Louisiana Hayride, a live radio program that was broadcast on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. Presley made 50 appearances on the show. At the end of the show, Horace Logan first made the now legendary phrase Elvis has left the building.
1962, The Beatles played two separate shows at the same venue, the Majestic Ballroom in Birkenhead, Merseyside. First they played a standard Majestic booking then at midnight, the first-ever "Mersey Beat" poll awards show took place. As poll winners, The Beatles closed the show (at 4:00 am).
1969, John Lennon played what would be his final ever gig in the UK when he appeared at The Lyceum Ballroom, London, with the Plastic Ono Band in a UNICEF 'Peace For Christmas' benefit. George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Delaney and Bonnie, Billy Preston and The Who's drummer, Keith Moon also took part.
1973, Charlie Rich started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the country & western ballad 'The Most Beautiful Girl', the singers only No.1 single, was also a No.2 hit in the UK.
1977, The Sex Pistols were refused entry into the USA two days before a scheduled NBC TV appearance. Johnny Rotten because of a drugs conviction, Paul Cook & Sid Vicious because of 'moral turpitude' and Steve Jones because of his criminal record.
1979, U2 appeared at the Windsor Castle Pub, Harrow Road, London, admission was free.
1979, Pink Floyd started a five week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) their only UK chart topper. The song, which was also the final No.1 single of the 1970s, received a Grammy nomination for Best Performance by a Rock Duo or Group, but Floyd lost to Bob Seger's Against the Wind.
1984, Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid entered the UK chart at No.1 and stayed at the top for five weeks. It became the biggest selling UK single of all time with sales over 3 and a half million. Band Aid was masterminded by former Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof, who had been moved by a TV news story of famine in Ethiopia. Geldof had the idea of raising funds with a one-off charity single featuring the cream of the current pop world. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Paul Young, Culture Club, George Michael, Sting, Bono, Phil Collins, Paul Weller, Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt of Status Quo and Bananarama all appeared on the recording.
Queen drummer Roger Taylor made the most inspired decision during the recording sessions for 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. He locked himself in a recording studio tape cupboard until everyone agreed the B-side could be his song 'I'm In Love With My Car'. Taylor's track automatically sold a copy every time someone bought Bohemian Rhapsody - with consequent royalties.
1962, Bill Wyman made his live debut with The Rolling Stones at the Ricky Tick Club, Star and Garter Hotel in Windsor, England. The group were know as The Rollin' Stones during this period.
1963, American singer and pianist Dinah Washington died at the age of 39. An autopsy later showed a lethal combination of secobarbital and amobarbital had contributed to her death. Washington gave herself the title of "Queen of the Blues. She had her first top ten pop hit in 1959 with a version of What a Diff'rence a Day Made, and then two successful duets in 1960 with Brook Benton, Baby (You've Got What It Takes) and A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love).
1963, The Beatles played a show for their Southern Area Fan Club at Wimbledon Palais, London. To prevent damage to the stage from fans the management of the Palais constructed a platform for The Beatles to perform on, surrounded by a steel cage.
1967, Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones was rushed to St Georges hospital in London after collapsing. A doctor reported Jones was tired and suffering from over strain and was also recovering from having some teeth out.
1968, Marvin Gaye scored his first US No.1 single when 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' started a five-week run at the top. It was Marvin's 15th solo hit and also his first UK No.1 single in March 69. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, the single was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles as well as Gladys Knight & the Pips.
1969, The Jackson Five made their first network television appearance in the US when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
1971, Led Zeppelin IV was riding high in the Top 10 of the US album charts. In 2006, the album was rated No.1 on Classic Rock magazine's '100 Greatest British Albums' poll, and No.1 in a poll conducted by Guitar World. The album has now sold over 23 million copies in the US. The typeface for the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven, printed on the inside sleeve of the album, was Jimmy Page's contribution. He found it in an old arts and crafts magazine from the late 19th century. He thought the lettering was interesting and arranged for a designer to create a whole alphabet
1972, Born To Boogie the Ringo Starr directed movie premiered in London. The film was based around a concert at Wembley Empire Pool, London, England starring Ringo Starr, Marc Bolan and T. Rex and was released on The Beatles Apple Films label.
1973, Bruce Springsteen appeared at the Pinecrest Country Club, Shelton, Connecticut. Only 200 tickets were sold for the show.
1980, Yoko Ono called on fans to observe ten minutes of silence in memory of John Lennon. 30,000 gathered outside St George's Hall in Liverpool, while nearly 100,000 attend a memorial in New York's Central Park.
1962, Bill Wyman made his live debut with The Rolling Stones at the Ricky Tick Club, Star and Garter Hotel in Windsor, England. The group were know as The Rollin' Stones during this period.
1963, American singer and pianist Dinah Washington died at the age of 39. An autopsy later showed a lethal combination of secobarbital and amobarbital had contributed to her death. Washington gave herself the title of "Queen of the Blues. She had her first top ten pop hit in 1959 with a version of What a Diff'rence a Day Made, and then two successful duets in 1960 with Brook Benton, Baby (You've Got What It Takes) and A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love).
1963, The Beatles played a show for their Southern Area Fan Club at Wimbledon Palais, London. To prevent damage to the stage from fans the management of the Palais constructed a platform for The Beatles to perform on, surrounded by a steel cage.
1967, Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones was rushed to St Georges hospital in London after collapsing. A doctor reported Jones was tired and suffering from over strain and was also recovering from having some teeth out.
1968, Marvin Gaye scored his first US No.1 single when 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' started a five-week run at the top. It was Marvin's 15th solo hit and also his first UK No.1 single in March 69. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, the single was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles as well as Gladys Knight & the Pips.
1969, The Jackson Five made their first network television appearance in the US when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
1971, Led Zeppelin IV was riding high in the Top 10 of the US album charts. In 2006, the album was rated No.1 on Classic Rock magazine's '100 Greatest British Albums' poll, and No.1 in a poll conducted by Guitar World. The album has now sold over 23 million copies in the US. The typeface for the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven, printed on the inside sleeve of the album, was Jimmy Page's contribution. He found it in an old arts and crafts magazine from the late 19th century. He thought the lettering was interesting and arranged for a designer to create a whole alphabet
1972, Born To Boogie the Ringo Starr directed movie premiered in London. The film was based around a concert at Wembley Empire Pool, London, England starring Ringo Starr, Marc Bolan and T. Rex and was released on The Beatles Apple Films label.
1973, Bruce Springsteen appeared at the Pinecrest Country Club, Shelton, Connecticut. Only 200 tickets were sold for the show.
1980, Yoko Ono called on fans to observe ten minutes of silence in memory of John Lennon. 30,000 gathered outside St George's Hall in Liverpool, while nearly 100,000 attend a memorial in New York's Central Park.
1955, Dickie Valentine was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Christmas Alphabet', the first Christmas song to reach the No.1 position. It was the first Christmas No.1 that was actually about Christmas, a trend that would continue off and on over the next several decades.
1961, The Beatles performed at the The Cavern Club Liverpool playing two shows at lunchtime and then again at night. Decca Records' Mike Smith attended the night performance with a view to offering The Beatles a recording contract.
1962, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Return To Sender', his 13th UK No.1. Elvis performed 'Return To Sender' in the film Girls! Girls! Girls!. The opening bars and backing on baritone saxophone was performed by Bobby Keys who later went on to work with The Rolling Stones,The Who Harry Nilsson, George Harrison and Eric Clapton.
1966, Jimi Hendrix made his TV debut on ITV's 'Ready Steady Go!' (Marc Bolan was also on the show). The Jimi Hendrix Experience also recorded 'Foxy Lady' on this day. The United States version of Are You Experienced listed the song with a spelling mistake as 'Foxey Lady' and this is how it is still known among many North American fans.
1969, Diana Ross took the Latino Casino in Philadelphia to court for $27,500 after her two pet dogs died after eating cyanide tablets left by an exterminator in her dressing room.
1970, Dave Edmunds was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of the 1955 Smiley Lewis hit 'I Hear You Knocking.' The Welsh singer, songwriter and producers only No.1 hit.
David Bowie injured his left eye during a fight at school in 1961, resulting in part of the pupil being surgically removed. This makes Bowie's eyes appear to be different colours.
"From when I was very young, I just knew that being a girl and being charming in a feminine sort of way could get me a lot of things, and I milked it for everything I could" - Madonna, 1985.
1957, Still married to his first wife Jane Mitcham, Jerry Lee Lewis secretly married his 13-year old second cousin Myra Gale Brown. Lewis's personal life was hidden from the public until a May 1958 British tour where Ray Berry, a news agency reporter at London's Heathrow Airport learned about Lewis's third wife. The publicity caused an uproar and the tour was canceled after only three concerts.
1963, The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', the group's third No.1 (and first Amercan No.1) and this year's UK Christmas No.1.
1967, Rolling Stone Brian Jones was given 3 years probation and a £1,000 fine for drug offences. Three psychiatrists agreed that Jones was an extremely frightened young man with suicidal tendencies.
1970, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Tears Of A Clown'. It was the group's 26th Top 40 hit and first No.1, and also a No.1 hit in the UK. The song was written by Stevie Wonder in 1966, and his producer Hank Cosby, Smokey Robinson wrote the lyrics.
1970, The Doors played what would be their last ever live show with Jim Morrison when they played at the Warehouse in New Orleans.
1981, The Human League had their only UK No.1 single with 'Don't You Want Me.' The Christmas hit of 81, the biggest seller of 1981 and Virgin Records first No.1 UK single. The group's singer Phil Oakey disliked the song so much that it was relegated to the last track on their latest album Dare.
1985, Scottish keyboard player Ian Stewart died of a heart attack in his doctor's Harley Street waiting room. Co-founder of The Rolling Stones (Stewart was the first to respond to Brian Jones's advertisement in Jazz News seeking musicians to form a rhythm & blues group). Stewart was dismissed from the line-up by the band's manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, in May 1963 but remained as road manager and piano player. He played on all The Rolling Stones albums between 1964 and 1983. Also played piano on Led Zeppelin's Rock and Roll and Boogie With Stu from Physical Graffiti.
1987, George Michael started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Faith'. Taken from the album of the same name, it became the top-selling single of the year in the US in 1988.
In the late 50's record producer Sam Phillips sold Elvis Presley's recording contract to RCA for $35,000. He invested a large part of the money in an early stake of The Holiday Inn chain of hotels.
Bat Out Of Hell is an album thats excessive in every way; big, brash and loud just like the singer. Its 1978. Punk is rife, and the forces of classic rock have been scattered to the winds. The last thing anyone needs is an overblown record full of ridiculous gothic imagery and cod-sexual appetites. So Bat Out Of Hell was destined to be one of the years more forgettable efforts. Waste of time, waste of money hang on! Were actually talking about a record thats one of the decades landmark releases; Bat Out Of Hell is one of the best-selling albums in the history of recorded music, having sold over 43 million copies worldwide. (As of May 2015, it has spent 485 weeks in the UK Charts).
Meat Loaf was, in reality, a collaboration between the operatic vocals of Meat (born Marvin Lee Aday - September 27, 1947), and the compositional charms of classically trained pianist Jim Steinman. The pair had worked together in a musical during the mid-70s, after which Steinman then plotted his magnum opus, a musical, Neverland, a sci-fi update of Peter Pan, which Steinman wrote for a workshop in 1974, and performed at the Kennedy Center Music Theatre Lab in 1977.
That never happened, but some of the songs were put to good use on Bat Out Of Hell. This was rock opera writ large and taken to excess. If Tommy saw The Who becoming introspective, then Steinman and Aday had no such qualms. This was excess: biker anthems with everything louder than everything else.
Recording started in late 1975 in Bearsville Studios, Woodstock, New York. The title track sets the scene. A monumental story of love, death and betrayal, it was an epic in every sense. "Paradise By The Dashboard Light", meantime, was a trailer trash soap opera. "You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)" cast the male as the hapless victim of female guile, being preceded by a spoken word piece (featuring Steinman) that mixed the romanticism of the werewolf with the cynicism of the age. "Two Out Of Three Aint Bad" is a ballad that hides a streetwise truth, while "All Revved Up With No Place To Go" (originally called "The Formation of the Pack"), captures the frustration of rampant teenage hormones. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light", is an epic story about teen romance and sex. A duet between Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley, the couple reminisce about driving to a secluded spot, at which he plans to have sex.
At every turn, the brilliance inherent in Steinmans lyrics and the simplicity of Phil Spector-inspired post-60s pop is matched by Meat Loafs magnificent over the top performance. And this is backed by some of the greatest musicians of the time. The inspired move of the choice of Todd Rundgren to produce the record (no, contrary to popular myth, Steinman didnt do the job), was matched by Rundgrens equally inspired decision to hire members of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band (Max Weinberg on drums and Roy Bittan on keyboards). Plus we have Edgar Winter on saxophone on three tracks, and Rundgrens own proto-metal guitar throughout, from buzzsaw backing to searing lead, even evoking motorcycle noises where required.
When the album was ready for release, Steinman had wanted equal billing with Meat Loaf on the album's title. He wanted it to be called "Jim Steinman presents..." or "Jim and Meat," but for marketing reasons, the record company wished to make 'Meat Loaf' the recognizable name. As a compromise, the words "Songs by Jim Steinman" appear relatively prominently on the cover.
A mega-seller at the time, Bat Out Of Hell continues to enjoy almost iconic status one of those rare albums that is both a coffee table necessity, but also vital in any Classic Rock-approved collection. Why? Because everything is pushed to the limit and way beyond. Now, thats rock n roll!
