the ROCK & ROLL PSYCHO CIRCUS

733 - THE SPACEMAN (ACE FREHLEY)

 
 
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KISS, ACE FREHLEY, ZERO ONE ZERO, WAR BABIES, BRIAN ADAMS, CHRIS CASSONE, INVASION, HOUSE OF LORDS, TIMELESS FAIRYTALE, ANTON FIG, NEVER NEVER, AD INFINITY, GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS, POISON, DARE FORCE, STONE FREE, LILIAC
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"SHE"
KISS, ACE FREHLEY, ZERO ONE ZERO, WAR BABIES, BRIAN ADAMS, CHRIS CASSONE, INVASION, HOUSE OF LORDS, TIMELESS FAIRYTALE, ANTON FIG, NEVER NEVER, AD INFINITY, GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS, POISON, DARE FORCE, STONE FREE, LILIAC
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"SHE"
ROCKSTORY
"(KISS - ACE FREHLEY)"
"“ Born Paul Daniel Frehley on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, Frehley began playing guitar when he received an electric six-string for his 14th birthday in 1965. Frehley began playing in local bands soon after and adopted the nickname "Ace." He answered an ad in a local paper for a new hard rock, theatrically based group in early 1973. A few weeks after his initial tryout, Frehley was hired as the lead guitarist for the new quartet, joining bassist/singer Gene Simmons, rhythm guitarist/singer Paul Stanley, and drummer Peter Criss to form the band Kiss. He took on the persona of The Spaceman (a.k.a. Space Ace) A string of platinum albums and sold-out tours lasted from 1975 until 1979, until the trappings of fame threatened to break up the band. Frehley's best friend in the band, Criss, left Kiss in 1980, as the group unsuccessfully experimented with non-metal styles. Ace Frehley's use of alcohol and drugs increased due to his ever-increasing unhappiness in the band, and, by 1982, he'd exited Kiss. Within a year after his split from Kiss, Ace began putting his own solo band together, Frehley's Comet. The band failed to issue a record until 1987's self-titled debut. Issuing two other albums by 1989. Despite mudslinging in the press between Simmons/Stanley and Frehley in the early '90s, all four original Kiss members made up in time to reunite for a 1995 taping of MTV Unplugged. The taping was such a success that it led to a full-blown reunion of the original lineup, resulting in the massively successful 1996-1997 Alive Worldwide Tour. Frehley continued as a member of Kiss until the end of their Farewell Tour (lasting longer than fellow original member Peter Criss, who dropped out in 2001). In 2009 he released the album Anomaly . In 2013 he celebrated seven years of sobriety . The following April, Kiss was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, before August brought the release of Space Invader, a solo album that took a heavier approach than Anomaly. Released in 2016, Origins, Vol. 1 was an all-covers album featuring songs from Ace's favorite bands. In 2018 Frehley issued his eighth solo long payer, Spaceman, He released a second covers album, Origins, Vol. 2, in September 2020. 10,000 Volts was released in 2024, debuting at #72 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 13,000 units. Frehley's next album, Origins Vol. 3, is tentatively due in 2025 Along with Eddie Van Halen, Kiss' Ace Frehley inspired numerous up-and-coming rockers to pick up the guitar in the 1970s, and by the next century he was listed by just about every contemporary rock guitarist as an important influence. Guitar World magazine ranked him as the 14th Greatest Metal Guitarist of All Time. "

732 - THE DEMON (GENE SIMMONS)

 
 
 
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KISS, GENE SIMMONS, MARTINA EDOFF, ELK WITCH, HAMMERFALL, TUK SMITH. BIG MOUTHERS, DAVE & THE DUDES, ZERO ONE ZERO, RIO, JOHNNY, TANIA KIKIOLI, WAR BABIES, NIGHTHAWK, LITA FORD, JIM ANDERSON, BRIAN ADAMS
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"ROCK + ROLL"
KISS, GENE SIMMONS, MARTINA EDOFF, ELK WITCH, HAMMERFALL, TUK SMITH. BIG MOUTHERS, DAVE & THE DUDES, ZERO ONE ZERO, RIO, JOHNNY, TANIA KIKIOLI, WAR BABIES, NIGHTHAWK, LITA FORD, JIM ANDERSON, BRIAN ADAMS
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"GUN"
ROCKSTORY
"(KISS - GENE SIMMONS)"
"“ Gene Simmons was born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel and is an American musician who was the co-founder, Bass guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Kiss from the band's inception in 1973 to their retirement in 2023. Simmons established "The Demon" character for his Kiss persona. Gene became involved with his first band, Lynx, then renamed the Missing Links, when he was a teenager. He disbanded the band to form the Long Island Sounds, later joining a new band, Bullfrog Bheer, with the band recording a demo, Leeta which was later included on the Kiss box set. Simmons formed the rock band Wicked Lester in the early 1970s with Paul Stanley and recorded one album, which was never released. Dissatisfied with Wicked Lester's sound and look they decided to form the "ultimate rock band" in its place. Kiss released their self-titled debut album in February 1974. Stanley took on the role of lead performer on stage, while Simmons became the driving force behind what became an extensive Kiss merchandising franchise. Besides music Gene has been involved with such projects as: His own magazine, Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine, his own label, Simmons Records, and animated series, My Dad the Rock Star. Simmons Records has released albums by such bands as Kobra and the Lotus, Silent Rage, Gypsy Rose and House of Lords as well as Gene's own solo releases. In 1976, Simmons signed a management and production contract with the band Van Halen. Two years later Simmons appeared in Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, a made-for-television movie released in 1978. In 2004 Simmons released his first Solo album Asshole or second if you count the Kiss Solo set. In 2012, Simmons partnered with Paul Stanley and three other investors to form the restaurant franchise Rock & Brews. On December 15, 2014, Simmons was awarded the Golden Medal by Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona and later that year was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Kiss. In 2017, Simmons launched "The Vault" which is a compilation of all of his major works selling for $2,000. In 2020, Simmons won two Guinness World Records for "highest flame projection in a music concert" and "most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert. Both of the records were established at the KISS 2020 Goodbye concert Kiss performed their final show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 2, 2023, which was streamed via Pay-per-view Gene continues to tour with his group The Gene Simmons Band "

731 - THE STARCHILD (PAUL STANLEY)

 
 
 
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KISS, PAUL STANLEY, RON KEEL, IAN HUNTER, FALLEN ANGEL, PAINTED SCARS, VELVETEEN QUEEN, NAZTY RATZ, SERIOUS BLACK, NO LOVE LOST, MARTINA EDOFF, BHRISS MANNING, JIM PETERICK, THE GEMS, RHINO BUCKET, HAMMERFALL
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"GUN"
KISS, PAUL STANLEY, RON KEEL, IAN HUNTER, FALLEN ANGEL, PAINTED SCARS, VELVETEEN QUEEN, NAZTY RATZ, SERIOUS BLACK, NO LOVE LOST, MARTINA EDOFF, BHRISS MANNING, JIM PETERICK, THE GEMS, RHINO BUCKET, HAMMERFALL
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"GUN"
ROCKSTORY
"(KISS - PAUL STANLEY)"
"“ Paul Stanley was born Stanley Bert Eisen on January 20, 1952 and is an American musician who was the co-founder, frontman, rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Kiss from the band's inception in 1973 to their retirement in 2023. He was the writer or co-writer of many of the band's most popular songs. Before Kiss, Stanley was in a local band, Rainbow, and was a member of Uncle Joe and Post War Baby Boom. Stanley joined Simmons' band Wicked Lester in the early 1970s. The band recorded an album in 1972, but it was never officially released and \Wicked Lester fell apart. Recruiting Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley Kiss released their self-titled debut album in February 1974. Stanley's persona in Kiss was "the Starchild" displaying one star over his right eye. For a brief time, Stanley tried out a new character "the Bandit", with a "Lone Ranger" style mask design make-up pattern. Stanley released his first solo album Paul Stanley as part of the four simultaneously released Kiss solo albums, but he has rarely recorded or performed outside of Kiss. Twenty-eight years after releasing his first solo album, Stanley released a second album, Live to Win, on October 24, 2006. Its title song "Live to Win" appears in the South Park episode "Make Love, Not Warcraft". In 2008, Stanley sang a duet with Sarah Brightman, "I Will Be with You", on her Symphony album. In 2016, he guested in Ace Frehley's covers album Origins, Vol. 1, singing "Fire and Water" by Free. In 2015, Stanley established Paul Stanley's Soul Station, a tribute band playing a mix of soul oldies from the 1960s and 1970s with original songs in the same style. Paul Stanley's Soul Station released its first album in 2021. In 2006, Hit Parader ranked him 18th on their list of the Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time. A Gibson.com readers' poll in 2010 named him 13th on their list of Top 25 Frontmen. Stanley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss. "

730 - FREAKSHOW 5 (Dark Country Showdown)

 
 
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Ennio Morricone, Blues Saraceno, Ghost Hounds,Whiskey Myers,Robin Loxley & Jay Hawke, Johnny Nocash, Paul Mark Cauthen, David John Legg,The Jompson Brothers,John R. Cash, Nine One One,Dan Romer,Peter M. Harper,Nick Nolan, Uncle Lucius,Buffalo Fuzz,Tim Montana, Ghoultown, The Builders and The Butchers,Honeyhoney,James Nicholas Commons, Barns Courtney
Ennio Morricone, Blues Saraceno, Ghost Hounds,Whiskey Myers,Robin Loxley & Jay Hawke, Johnny Nocash, Paul Mark Cauthen, David John Legg,The Jompson Brothers,John R. Cash, Nine One One,Dan Romer,Peter M. Harper,Nick Nolan, Uncle Lucius,Buffalo Fuzz,Tim Montana, Ghoultown, The Builders and The Butchers,Honeyhoney,James Nicholas Commons, Barns Courtney
ROCKSTORY
"(DARK COUNTRY SHOWDOWN)"
"“ Dark Country or Gothic country (sometimes referred to as gothic Americana, Southern Gothic, or the Denver sound,) is a genre of country music. The genre has a regional scene in Denver. Dark country is rooted in early jazz, gospel, country, Americana, gothic rock, and post-punk. The genre's lyrics focus on macabre and grim subject matters. J.D. Wilkes, frontman of the band Legendary Shack Shakers, described gothic country as "taking an angle that there's something grotesque and beautiful in the traditions of the South, the backdrop of Southern living." "
"Ennio Morricone good the bad and the ugly Blues Saraceno (born October 17, 1971) is an American rock guitarist, composer and music producer, currently residing in Los Angeles, California. Ghost Hounds are a rock 'n' blues band hailing from Pittsburgh, PA. Whiskey Myers is an American rock and roll band from Palestine, Texas composed of Cody Cannon, John Jeffers, Cody Tate, Jeff Hogg, Tony Kent, and Jamey Gleaves. They have released six albums Robin Loxley & Jay Hawke's first song “Devil Dog” released on June 28, 2012. Johnny Nocash. . Celtic Death Country from Canada. Paul Mark Cauthen is an American singer-songwriter from East Texas. He started his music career in an Americana/indie folk rock duo called Sons of Fathers, before turning solo. He has released three albums and an EP as a solo artist, the most recent being Country Coming Down released in April 2022. David John Legg (8 June 1967 – 8 March 2024), known professionally as Brother Dege and Dege Legg was an American singer, songwriter, and musician of rock and blues. Brother Dege. Born. David John Legg. The Jompson Brothers were an American rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2007. John R. Cash was an American singer-songwriter. Most of Cash's music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. Nine One One's first song “Tidal Wave” released on January 1, 2018 Dan Romer is an award-winning composer, songwriter and music producer based in Los Angeles. Peter M. Harper is an American sculptor, musician, and academic. He is best known for his vocals and tenor guitar, especially in France Nick Nolan Artist Austin, TX Uncle Lucius is an American Southern rock/jam band based in Austin, TX. Formed in 2005, Country singer and songwriter Jessta James grew up in Bozeman, Montana. He was exposed to classic outlaw country as a child, added Southern hard rock as an influence while he was in high school Toothy grit, hard lines, and heavy riffs – Buffalo Fuzz is a two-piece heavy blues band from Minneapolis Minnesota USA. Tim Montana (born January 5, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist...Tim was given his first guitar at the age of six. Since his family's trailer had no electricity, Tim taught himself to play by candlelight.[ Ghoultown is an American rock band from Dallas, Texas, formed in 1999. AllMusic describes the group's music as "punk rock, Western stylings, mariachi, and a dose of B-movie trappings." The band has released six studio albums The Builders and The Butchers are a folk rock band based in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is fronted by singer/guitar player Ryan Sollee. Honeyhoney was an Americana group based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Years active 2006–2017 James Nicholas Commons is a British singer and songwriter, based in New Cross, London. At age six, Commons' family moved to Chicago, which would lead to his appreciation of American blues, folk and swamp rock music the devil makes three, The Old No. 7 Barnaby George "Barns" Courtney[4] (born 17 November 1990)is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. The Ben Miller Band is an American band that was formed in 2005 in Joplin, Missouri. Extreme Music Brown Bird was an American folk music group, originally formed in 2003 in Seattle, Washington as a solo project by David Lamb. Deadwood Ed and the Tombstone Thr3e. Bellevue band. Outlaw Cuntry! Deadwood Ed.guitar/vox. Dirty "Deke" Monroe. Twang Bucket. Hossy "Hoss" Bronson. Drums. Hugo Based in New York City and signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label, his musical style has been dubbed as "gangsta-rock" SONGWRITER TJ STAFFORD KANSAS BORN SINGER Michael Whitaker Smith is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. Ryan Daniel Squitieri (born April 23, 1986) is an American recording artist, singer, songwriter, and lead singer of the band Among the Thirsty. Goodnight, Texas is an American folk rock band named after the town of Goodnight, Texas, the geographic midpoint between the working locations of songwriters Avi Vinocur in San Francisco and Patrick Dyer Wolf in Chapel Hill, North Carolina Nik Ammar is an award-winning composer and songwriter hailing from London who began his professional music career as instrumentalist and songwriter Rayland Baxter is an American alternative country musician from Nashville, Tennessee. Dorothy is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2014. Heavy Young Heathens are American film, film trailer, and television composers, consisting of brothers Aron and Robert Mardo. They are known for their work composing and performing music for television series "

729 - SACRED PLACE

 
 
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PAUL SHORTINO, FALCON TRAILS, CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE, POWERWOLF, BLACK VALENTINE, FOXX, FATE, IAN HUNTER, JEFF SCOTT SOTO, MALVADA, VIPER, STRYPER, RON KEEL
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"WALL"
PAUL SHORTINO, FALCON TRAILS, CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE, POWERWOLF, BLACK VALENTINE, FOXX, FATE, IAN HUNTER, JEFF SCOTT SOTO, MALVADA, VIPER, STRYPER, RON KEEL
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"WALL"
ROCKSTORY
"(PAUL SHORTINO)"
"“ Paul Shortino was born on May 14, 1953 and is an American rock singer and musician who has sung for Rough Cutt/The Cutt, Quiet Riot, Bad Boyz, and Shortino. He briefly recorded with J.K. Northrup as the duo, Shortino/Northrup. He has also recorded as a solo artist, writing and performing the song "E.G.G.M.A.N." as the theme for Dr. Eggman in Sonic Adventure 2 for Sega, and in Shadow the Hedgehog as "E.G.G.M.A.N. Doc Robeatnix Mix". Shortino recorded lead vocals for the Heavy Metal benefit project Hear 'n Aid in 1985. The single from this project, "Stars", also features lead vocals by heavy metal singers Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Geoff Tate, Don Dokken, Kevin DuBrow, Eric Bloom and Dave Meniketti. Shortino is currently a member of the band King Kobra, and also performs in the cast of Raiding the Rock Vault at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas "

728 - BREAK & BEND

 
 
 
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BENGAL TIGERS, DIANNOS WARHORSE, LILIAC, DEEP PURPLE, DARK HEART, SILENT THEORY,FALCON TRAILS,STARS IN TOLEDO,SEETHER, STEELR, CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE, STEVE PLUNKETT, JACK WHITE, RATCHET DOLLS, POWERWOLF
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"HURT"
BENGAL TIGERS, DIANNOS WARHORSE, LILIAC, DEEP PURPLE, DARK HEART, SILENT THEORY,FALCON TRAILS,STARS IN TOLEDO,SEETHER, STEELR, CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE, STEVE PLUNKETT, JACK WHITE, RATCHET DOLLS, POWERWOLF
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"HURT"
ROCKSTORY
"(BENGAL TIGERS)"
"“ Bengal Tigers formed in Melbourne Australia in 1979 and were quickly signed to the emerging Mushroom label in Australia, and the famous Heavy Metal Records in the UK. In 1983 the band released the EP Metal Fetish with the lineup consisting of Gordon Heald (vocals), Mick Egan (drums), Steve Tyler (bass) and Barney Faroukh (guitar), but split-up later that year, perhaps before their 1984 Cheat On single was released. However, in 1989 the band reformed releasing two albums with Demos. EP Painclinic was released in 1995 followed in 1997 with In One Ear. It was in 1998 that they release their first full length album titled In The Blood followed the same year with the EP Fight for your Right. Bengal Tigers amassed a cult following and were known as Australia's heavy metal kings. The band has done several reunion shows and is sill active today. The current member's consist of Yuri Linzew on guitar, Justin Linkins on drums, Gordon Heald on vocals and Rob Bodger on bass. A new album is being worked on right now. A resurgent Bengal Tigers is imminent! "

727 - HEAVEN & HELL

 
 
 
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BLACK SABBATH, KISSIN DYNAMITE, THE COMMONORS, MR BIG, RANDOM, NAZTY RATZ, BENNIE & THE JETS, SPEKTRA, WORSHIPPER, VALENTINO, VICTORY, PAUL DIANNOS WARHORSE, LILIAC, DADDY DYNAMITE, TOMMY BOLIN, DEEP PURPLE
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"DEMON"
BLACK SABBATH, KISSIN DYNAMITE, THE COMMONORS, MR BIG, RANDOM, NAZTY RATZ, BENNIE & THE JETS, SPEKTRA, WORSHIPPER, VALENTINO, VICTORY, PAUL DIANNOS WARHORSE, LILIAC, DADDY DYNAMITE, TOMMY BOLIN, DEEP PURPLE
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"DEMON"
ROCKSTORY
"(BLACK SABBATH - DIO YEARS)"
"“ Ronald James Padavona was born on 10 July 1942 and known professionally as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal singer. He fronted numerous bands throughout his career, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell. Following his departure from Rainbow in 1979, Dio joined Black Sabbath, replacing the fired Ozzy Osbourne. Dio met Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi by chance at the Rainbow on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles in 1979. The two musicians were in similar situations, as Dio was seeking a new project and Iommi needed a vocalist. On the first day, the duo wrote the song "Children of the Sea," which appeared on the Heaven and Hell album being released in 1980 and is now regarded as one of the most iconic rock albums of the 80’s. The follow-up album, Mob Rules (1981), featured new drummer Vinny Appice. Personality conflicts began emerging within the band. In 1982, conflict arose over the mixing of the Live Evil album. Iommi asserted that the album's engineer began complaining to him that he would work all day long on a mix, only to have Dio return to the studio at night to "do his own mix" in which his vocals were more prominent. The conflict led to Dio and Appice ultimately quitting the band later that year. In 1991, Dio returned to Black Sabbath to record the Dehumanizer album. The album was a minor hit, reaching the Top 40 in the United Kingdom and #44 on the US Billboard 200. The single "Time Machine" was featured in the movie Wayne's World, the tenth highest-grossing film of 1992. Close to the end of 1992, Dio and Appice again left the band, citing an inability to work with Iommi and Butler. Ronnie James Dio sadly passed away on May 16, 2010 "

726 - THE DEVIL IS A WOMAN

 
 
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KISSIN DYNAMITE, M3 GROUP, ANVIL, HUMAN ZOO, MYSTERY, LIPZ, TRAMP, THE ANGELS, MAXX & LOVE, DIRTY WHITE BOYS, THE COMMONORS, SLAM, KEEL, DEEP PURPLE, MR BIG
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"WHEEL"
KISSIN DYNAMITE, M3 GROUP, ANVIL, HUMAN ZOO, MYSTERY, LIPZ, TRAMP, THE ANGELS, MAXX & LOVE, DIRTY WHITE BOYS, THE COMMONORS, SLAM, KEEL, DEEP PURPLE, MR BIG
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"WHEEL"
ROCKSTORY
"(KISSIN DYNAMITE)"
"“ Kissin' Dynamite is a German hard rock/heavy metal band that started out as a school band. At the end of 2007, they started sending demos to various music labels, leading to a record contract with Capitol Records / EMI in the same year. They released their debut album Steel of Swabia in 2008, and in that year also started appearing in music festivals. Their second album, was titled Addicted to Metal and had twelve tracks. The title track, "Addicted to Metal" features vocals by Udo Dirkschneider of U.D.O. for whom Kissin' Dynamite frequently opened. In March 2011, Kissin' Dynamite announced that they had started working on their third album. The album was released under the title Money, Sex and Power in March 2012. As part of the launch, the band opened for L.A. glam metal band Steel Panther on their Tour. In 2014 they released the album Megalomania, followed in 2016 by Generation Goodbye, then in 2018 by Ecstacy which broke them into the top ten on the German charts for the first time. 2022 saw the release of “Not the End of the Road” charting #2 on Official German Album Charts. Now these German Stadium Rockers are ”Back With A Bang!”, The band’s eighth studio album which was released July 5th 2024. This album has just recently earned the band the number #1 award on the official German album chart "

725 - FREAKSHOW 4 (Pioneers of South African Rock)

 
 
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Circus, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Clout, The Helicopters, Baxtop, Via Afrika, Tribe After Tribe, Celtic Rumours, Dog Detachment, Ella Mental, Peach, No Friends Of Harry, Lesley Rae Dowling, Little Sister, Freedoms Children, Taipan, Hawk, Falling Mirror, Petit Cheval, Lucky Dube, Pierre De Charmoy, Fat City, Asylum Kids, The Sweatband, McCully Workshop, Suck, Bright Blue, Radio Rats, éVoid, Rabbitt, Crocodile Harris, Ballyhoo, Hotline, Stingray, Juluka
Circus, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Clout, The Helicopters, Baxtop, Via Afrika, Tribe After Tribe, Celtic Rumours, Dog Detachment, Ella Mental, Peach, No Friends Of Harry, Lesley Rae Dowling, Little Sister, Freedoms Children, Taipan, Hawk, Falling Mirror, Petit Cheval, Lucky Dube, Pierre De Charmoy, Fat City, Asylum Kids, The Sweatband, McCully Workshop, Suck, Bright Blue, Radio Rats, éVoid, Rabbitt, Crocodile Harris, Ballyhoo, Hotline, Stingray, Juluka
ROCKSTORY
"(PIONEERS of SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK)"
"“ Don’t we live in exiting times! Most of us can say "I was there when they were writing the book of Rock" Well, while the rest of the world enjoyed the growing ripple effect of Woodstock during the late 60's and 70's, South Africa was largely cut off due mostly to the apartheid regime. So, although not directly involved with the exploding phenomena of Rock, and unbeknown to the rest of the globe, this country down at the bottom end of Africa was busy adding their chapters to the pages of Rock History. Some of the artists recorded albums and then disappeared into the woodwork, but a lot are still around today in some or other form. One thing though is certain, they will all forever remain in song. Who were these Pioneers fueling the Rock flame in this segregated country in the late 60"s and 70"s? Tonight we explore the PIONEERS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK so lets rewind to the 60s 70s and 80s"
"Circus Bernie Millar on Vocals, Ronald "Bones" Brettell at Keyboards, Gary van Zyl doing Bass, Sandy Robbie on Guitar and Wally Cullis on Drums Circus ruled in South Africa's wildcat club culture of the mid-1970s - an original band, with a theatrical approach to their songwriting. Everything they touched in their glorious 30-month run from 1976-8 set a new level of excitement in the biggest clubs of the Reef and the Coast. They stayed true to themselves, and wound up broken by the SABC's Tannie morality and the profit motive of the record companies. Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse Sipho Cecil Peter Mabuse (born 2 November 1951), known professionally as Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, After dropping out of school in the 1960s, Mabuse got his start in the Afro-soul group the Beaters in the mid-1970s. After a successful tour of Zimbabwe they changed the group's name to Harari, an afrosoul band led by Mabuse. When they returned to their homeland in South Africa they began to draw almost exclusively on American-style funk, soul, and pop music, sung in Zulu and Sotho as well as English. Clout Clout was a South African rock group formed in Johannesburg in 1977, best known for their hit single, "Substitute". Originally all-female, the group later included some male musicians, who had played as session musicians on the recording cindy alter The Helicopters South African pop/rock band formed in Vereeniging in the early 1980s by singer/songwriter Bernard Binns. Two albums ("Love Attack" in 1985, "In The Flesh" in 1987 ) and one EP ("What Affair?" in 1988) were released before calling it quits shortly thereafter. Baxtop Formed in Johannesburg in 1978 by Larry Amos (guitars, vocals), Tim Parr (guitar, vocals), Robbie Whitelaw (bass) and Pierre de Vos (drums). In 1979 they won the SABC’s Battle of the Bands competition and they released their only album Work It Out. Via Afrika Afro-rock band formed in Johannesburg in 1983 Via Afrika (1983) EMI A Scent Of Scandal (1984) Via Afrika Tribe After Tribe Tribe After Tribe was formed in 1984 in Johannesburg, South Africa by guitarist Robbi Robb (ex-Asylum Kids). The band released a humdinger of an album ("Power") locally in 1985 before circumstances caused the band to take flight to Los Angeles where Mr. Robb continued to work, still releasing albums under the "Tribe After Tribe" monicker. Celtic Rumours Durban-based band that had the ingredients for major success with lead singer Kevin van Staden, a front man with a great rock voice, matinee idol looks, and an eight-album plan ahead. Despite topping the South African charts and touring incessantly, the band didn't really make the great leap to the next International level and disintegrated in the early '90s after releasing two albums. Sadly, whilst working on his debut solo album, Kevin was tragically killed in a car accident on 26th December 1994. Dog Detachment Hard rocking new wave band formed around the Armstrong brothers in Linden, Johannesburg in 1980 that played a subversive, fanatically independent, high pressure brand of rock that they themselves referred to as "Stormtrooper Pop". Three albums were released between 1983 and 1989. Ella Mental Centering about theatrical vocalist Heather Mac (neé McDermott, later Parr) and guitarist Tim Parr, Ella Mental were formed in South Africa in 1984 and released the single "See Yourself (Clowns)" in 1985, with debut album "Uncomplicated Dreams" following later. The band toured extensively and produced three more singles: "Jenny", "30 Million Lonely People", and "Madmen" (which was banned because it criticised then-president P.W. Botha) Peach Consisting of two pairs of Greek teenage sisters and a Jewish guy, Peach were formed in Durban, South Africa in 1979 and defined the cheeky, trashy, sleazy, post-punk scene of the early 80's.Best remembered for their fired up live shows, they released only one album ("On Loan For Evolution" in 1981) and disbanded shortly afterwards. In 1978, their version reached No. 1 in South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Denmark and Belgium. It also reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the UK charts for 15 weeks No Friends Of Harry Formed in Johannesburg in 1986, N.F.O.H. rightly claim the title of South Africa's first and most influential alternative/goth band. The band released three albums ("One Came Running" (1987), "Into The Valley" (1989) on Principal, and "Fifteen Seconds" (1991) on Clear Cut) and finally the "Fly By Night" compilation before calling it quits in September 1998 when their bassist emigrated to Scotland Lesley Rae Dowling Lesley Rae Dowling was discovered in Stellenbosch in 1980 . She released her first single (The Spaniard / Grips of Emotion) and album (Lesley Rae Dowling) in 1981.. Her music has won many South African music awards, including various Sarie (South African Recording Industry) awards, several SAMA awards, 3M Scotty awards, and an FNB SAMA award. She declined the opportunity in the early 1980s to go international, as the cultural boycott of South Africa during the late apartheid era meant she would need to live in Ireland for six months a year, something she was not prepared to do. Little Sister South African pop/rock duo consisting of sisters Debbi Lonmon and Jenni Lonmon. Freedom’s Children The original band included Julian Laxton on lead guitar, Nic Martens on organ, bassist/lyricist Ramsay MacKay, Brian Davidson's vocals, Colin Pratley on drum kit, Harry Poulos on organ/vocals and Gerard Nel's piano. Being very much denied in their part of music history, as they are mostly totally bypassed when it comes prog articles, FREEDOM"S CHILDREN manages to reflect a small but fascinating scene of South African progressive rock. Their 1970 release "Astra" has a very important role that unfortunately often gets overlooked. Taipan back in the 70's & 80's it was first known as" Alcatraz" and then "Taipan" latter when got a record deal in Germany. Hawk The Johannesburg quintet was formed Dave Ornellas (ac guitar, vocals) and Keith Hutchinson (winds & Kb) and comprised also guitarist Mark Khan, bassist Richard Johnson, and drummer Braam Malherbe. Falling Mirror Formed in Cape Town in 1978 by two cousins, guitarist Allan Faull (born 30 January 1949) and vocalist Nielen Mirror (born Nielen Marais 11 June 1951), Falling Mirror remain one of South Africa's greatest and most eclectic alternative bands... ever! In 1978, both were residents of the Valkenberg Mental Institution Petit Cheval Petit Cheval (French for "little horse") were a new romantic band from Pretoria, South Africa (often compared to Spandau Ballet) that released two singles and two albums ("The Voice Of Reason" in 1985, and "The Perfect Gift" in 1986) before disbanding. Lucky Dube Lucky Philip Dube was a South African reggae musician and Rastafarian. His record sales across the world earned him the Best Selling African Musician prize at the 1996 World Music Awards. In his lyrics, Dube discussed issues affecting South Africans and Africans in general to a global audience. He recorded 22 albums in a 25-year period and was Africa's best-selling reggae artist of all time. Dube was murdered in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on the evening of 18 October 2007 The Julian Laxton Band South African disco / rock band formed mid-1976 led by the late Julian Laxton Pierre De Charmoy Grew up in Durban, started a music career after leaving school. He released his first single “Lonely Heart” in 1982 and his first album, Ovation in 1983. His third single “Live On” in 1983 saw him begin to make a name for himself in South Africa. He released several singles in the early to mid-1980s and seven albums between 1983 and 1990. Fat City Toni Gozza & Fat City... (South African Blues Rock Band 1987-1990) Asylum Kids Punk/rock group formed in Johannesburg in 1980 which disbanded around 1983. Guitarist Robbie Robb went on to form Tribe After Tribe in 1984. The Sweatband 80's rock band from Rondebosch, Cape Town that recorded their first promo, "Partners in Crime" around 1982 It was when the drummer's brother's girlfriend's classmate at the teacher's training college was hired in 1983 that the band really took off. One more promo cassette, "Catch That Sweaty Feeling", was released in 1984 and now with Wendy Oldfield as vocalist, the band's edgy rock sound garnered them a solid following and fan base. The "No Sweat" album (produced by Kevin Shirley) was released in 1986, with three singles lifted off it. One more album (untitled) was recorded in late 1988. It was shelved for the time being and Wendy Oldfield left to go solo in November of that year. McCully Workshop McCully Workshop is arguably one of South Africa's finest pop rock bands. They started way back in the '60s, dominated the South African airwaves in the '70s, continued through the '80s and '90s and in the 21st century are still going strong. Suck Suck were a rock band who were part of South Africa's first wave of hard rock titled "The Big Heavies". The group lasted eight months between 1970 and 1971, during which they recorded their only LP, Time to Suck. It was later released in America in 2009. Suck were also among the earliest groups to cover Black Sabbath. In March 2007, they were featured in an article in Classic Rock magazine titled "The Lost Pioneers of Heavy Metal", where they were referred to as "acidpunk metal" Bright Blue Bright Blue: Formed in Cape Town in 1983 , with its afro-fusion influence played their part in the anti-apartheid movement of the time and had a fair measure of success along the way. Their track "Weeping" is widely regarded as one of the finest songs ever to emerge from South Africa. Radio Rats Formed in Springs in 1977. Jonathan Handley (guitar, vocals), Dave Davies (lead vocals). Were signed by Jo’burg Records and released the album Into the Night We Slide and the single “ZX Dan” in 1978. The band has continued to perform and record intermittently over the years with many changes in their line-up (especially drummers) but with the consistent front duo of Jonathan Handley and Dave Davies. éVoid Originally formed in 1977 around core members and brothers Lucien and Erik Windrich and then known simply as Void, the group won their section of the "East Rand Battle Of The Bands" in 1978. Adopting the name éVoid in 1982, the band would (complete with painted faces, tribal dances and jive rhythms - known as 'ethnotronics') rise in prominence 1983,their eponymous debut album second album "Here Comes the Rot" 1986 Rabbitt With TWO Ts. Rabbitt is a South African pop rock band formed in Johannesburg in 1972, evolving from a band called The Conglomeration, consisting of members Trevor Rabin, Ronnie Robot, and Neil Cloud.[1] Their successes included making it to the top of the South African charts with the hit "Charlie" in 1976. Crocodile Harris Real name Robin Graham began his music career as Crocodile Harris in the 1970s, releasing the single “Miss Eva Goodnight” (1973) and an album You’re A Woman, I’m A Man (1974) as well as follow-up singles before forming the Wright Brothers with Richard Wilson in 1977. In 1983 he released the album Give Me The Good News. His last single release was “The world is an explosion” in 1984. He died in 2015. Ballyhoo Ballyhoo is a South African musical group, who had a charts-topping hit in South Africa in 1981 with "Man on the Moon", which spent 19 weeks in the charts Derrick Dryan - vocals, Attie van Wyk - keyboards, Mick Matthews - guitar and vocals, Fergie Ferguson - bass and vocals, Cedric Samson - drums Hotline Hotline was a meat 'n potatoes rock band that formed in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1980, with the original line-up consisting of PJ Powers (vocals). In 1983 the band changed their style to afro-rock, and that's when success really kicked off - not least of all by being popular with both black and white audiences (something rather unusual in the old days of apartheid, and frowned upon by the corridors of power). The band split in 1987. Stingray Stingray is a hard rock/AOR band from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, that was formed in 1979. The band split up in 1982. Dennis East: vocals Shaun Wright lost his leg in a shark attack in 1980 whilst surfing at Balito Bay. He carried on drumming, but was eventually replaced by Wally Cullis from Circus Juluka Juluka was a South African band formed by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Juluka means "sweat" in Zulu, and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu. The band was closely associated with the mass movement against apartheid. At the age of 14, Clegg met Zulu street musician Charlie Mzila, who taught him Zulu music and dancing over the following two years. In 1969 Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu met in Johannesburg when young Sipho went there to find work. The 18-year-old Mchunu challenged the 16-year-old Clegg to a guitar contest, and the two became friends. Soon, they were performing together on the streets and in what few other unofficial venues a multi-racial band could safely play in under apartheid. They were forced to keep a low profile and their success came from word of mouth instead of through traditional publicity. Clegg himself was arrested and beaten up by the police on several occasions for his activities, and also for the band's lyrics. "

724 - GUN 4 A WHILE

 
 
 
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HUMAN ZOO, DIRTY HONEY, BAD BONES, THE MERCURY RIOTS, TOMMI GUN, OZZY OSBOURNE, BEAST IN BLACK, M3 GROUP, BIG SUN, MAX & LOVE, DEF LEPPARD, ANVIL, QUIET THE THIEF, THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS, SUNBOMB, PAUL DIANNOS WARHORSE
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"CHILD"
HUMAN ZOO, DIRTY HONEY, BAD BONES, THE MERCURY RIOTS, TOMMI GUN, OZZY OSBOURNE, BEAST IN BLACK, M3 GROUP, BIG SUN, MAX & LOVE, DEF LEPPARD, ANVIL, QUIET THE THIEF, THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS, SUNBOMB, PAUL DIANNOS WARHORSE
"TOP 11 COUNTDOWN WITH "
"CHILD "
ROCKSTORY
"(HUMAN ZOO)"
"“ Human Zoo is a quite unusual hard rock band. The saxophone player in their line-up gives them some sort of extravagance. For 15 years now, the Swabian six-member band combines classical rock elements with modern effects, but without leaving behind the typical unique Human Zoo style. In the year 2004 singer Thomas Seeburger, keyboarder Zarko Mestrovic and guitarist Ingolf Engler got together with only one goal - "Pure Rock". In autumn 2005 Boris Matakovic (Subway) on the saxophone completed the band. The position on the bass was occupied by changing musicians in the following years until Ralf Grespan joined the band in 2012. Also the drum players changed some times until Matthias Amann joined the band in 2022. The highly celebrated debut album ` Precious Time ` (2006), astonished the press as well as the public in many places. Human Zoo was elected as “Newcomer of the year 2006” in German magazine Rock It! . Just 16 months after the release of the debut album, the second, very strong longplayer "Over The Horizon" was released on 28th September 2007. The third album "Eyes Of The Stranger" marks a further milestone in the career for Human Zoo. The songwriting here combines classical rock elements with modern effects, but without leaving behind the typical Human Zoo style. Human Zoo has been awarded the INNOCENT AWARD 2016 by the Cute And Dangerous – magazine for their last album ` My Own God `. The new, fifth album was released just in time for the twentieth anniversary on June 14th, 2024 under the title “ECHOES BEYOND”. "