Yorkshire can produce hard rock and heavy metal when it needs too and this applies to music as well as industry.
The 70’s and 80’s were productive years for our talented performers.
Def Leppard
- The band were formed in Sheffield in 1977.
- Lady Gaga claims that her forthcoming new album is inspired by Def Leppard
- The group still perform spectacular live shows and have sold over 60 million records.
- Have a look at the great detail available on the Def Leppard unofficial website. The official web site seems to be for pushing merchandise (not a Yorkshire thing to do).
Saxon
- Saxon started in Barnsley as SOB during 1976 and joined forces with another local band Coast featuring Biff Byford on vocals and Paul Quinn on guitar. The line-up then comprised of ‘Oly’ Oliver, ‘Dobby’ Dawson, ‘Blute’ Quinn, ‘Frank’ Gill, and Peter ‘Biff’ Byford. The band was Son Of A Bitch soon changes to Saxon.
- Saxon are still touring, often in Germany where they are especially popular. You can see them in the UK at Hammersmith Apollo, with Judas Priest on 26th May 2012
- After the album Saxon in 1979 the 80’s started with Wheels of Steel and ended 8 albums later with Rock ‘N’ Roll Gypsies.
- There have been greatest hits, live albums and several studio releases since.
David Coverdale
- Born and raised in Saltburn North Yorkshire
- David was successful as the lead singer with Deep Purple until it folded. He then recorded a couple of solo albums.
- David formed Whitesnake in 1978 and they had success in the UK and Europe but it wasn’t until they reformed in 1984 that they had success in the USA
- David declined to join Black Sabbath after the departure of Ronnie James Dio – a good move me thinks.
Black Lace
- The most famous group to come out of Ossett, the town more famous for the saying “Don’t thee thou me thee thou thissen and see how tha likes thee thouing”
- Perhaps that accounts for the unusual number one record that made Black Lace famous Agadoo
- Black Lace came to the fore in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest. They finished seventh with the song “Mary Ann” one of the UK’s best performances?.
- They also had party hits with Do the Conga, ‘I am the Music Man’ and a personal favourite of mine ‘Superman’
Robert Palmer January 1949 – September 2003
- Born in Batley Robert moved to Scarborough at the age of 10 then on to Malta
- For Island records he made 8 studio albums and a further 6 after moving to EMI
- Best known for Addicted to Love and a Bad Case of Loving You
- With Duran Duran and others, Robert Palmer joined would be supergroup The Power Station
- In his obituary the Guardian said ‘One of the most gifted white soul singers of his crowded era, Robert Palmer, who has died of a heart attack aged 54, worked hard at being misunderstood.’ read more
Credit
Dog Looking at and Listening to a Phonograph, "His Master’s Voice", The Original RCA Music Puppy Dog Logo Symbol for Advertising by Beverly & Pack = Creative Commons