Alkatrazz were an English heavy metal band from Maidstone, Kent. Formed in 1980 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement, the group originally featured lead vocalist Craig Stevens, guitarist and backing vocalist Bob Jenner, bassist Gary Bevan, and drummer and backing vocalist Nicko Parsons. In 1981 they signed to RCA Records and released their debut album Young Blood, followed by their second Radio 5 the following year. Shortly after the latter's release, Alkatrazz were dropped by the label. Bevan was briefly replaced by Phillip Tame, before the group disbanded in 1983.
Bob Jenner and Nicko Parsons originally performed as part of jazz fusion band Interface, before being persuaded by their manager Tony Tullett to "move to a more rock direction".[1] After bringing in bassist Gary Bevan, the group began rehearsing with a second guitarist called Dave Saunders, before Craig Stevens was enlisted after responding to an advertisement in Melody Maker magazine.[1] The band took on the name Alkatrazz and spent "around six months" performing local shows before they were signed by RCA Records, following a performance on the BBC Radio Kent Rock Show.[1]
Alkatrazz recorded their debut album Young Blood at Magritte and Regents Park Studios in London, which was released in May 1981 preceded the month before by their first single "Rockin' High".[2] The band toured in promotion of the album alongside fellow NWOBHM acts Magnum, Tygers of Pan Tang and Samson.[3][2] Shortly after touring with Samson, Alkatrazz returned to the studio to record their second album Radio 5, on which they adopted a sound more akin to American album-oriented rock (AOR) acts.[1][4] The album featured guest appearances by Toni Childs and Mel Collins.[5]
Shortly after the release of Radio 5, however, Alkatrazz were dropped by RCA.[3] Bevan was fired from the band around the same time, which according to Stevens was "a knee jerk reaction born out of frustration", and was replaced by their sound engineer Phillip Tame.[1] Desipte several sources claiming that Parsons was replaced by former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr in 1983,[3] he was not. Burr joined an American group with a similar name. Bevan has commented on Burr reportedly having joined, "I have no idea where that one came from but I do think it's quite funny."[1] Shortly thereafter, Alkatrazz disbanded.[3]
^"Alkatrazz: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
^"Alkatrazz - Radio 5 (1982, Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
January 07, 2023
alkatrazz, this, article, about, english, heavy, metal, band, american, heavy, metal, band, featuring, graham, bonnet, yngwie, malmsteen, alcatrazz, were, english, heavy, metal, band, from, maidstone, kent, formed, 1980, part, wave, british, heavy, metal, nwob. This article is about the English heavy metal band For the American heavy metal band featuring Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen see Alcatrazz Alkatrazz were an English heavy metal band from Maidstone Kent Formed in 1980 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal NWOBHM movement the group originally featured lead vocalist Craig Stevens guitarist and backing vocalist Bob Jenner bassist Gary Bevan and drummer and backing vocalist Nicko Parsons In 1981 they signed to RCA Records and released their debut album Young Blood followed by their second Radio 5 the following year Shortly after the latter s release Alkatrazz were dropped by the label Bevan was briefly replaced by Phillip Tame before the group disbanded in 1983 AlkatrazzOriginMaidstone EnglandGenresHeavy metalhard rockYears active1980 1980 1983 1983 LabelsRCAPast membersCraig StevensBob JennerNicko ParsonsGary BevanPhillip Tame Contents 1 History 2 Members 3 Discography 4 ReferencesHistory EditBob Jenner and Nicko Parsons originally performed as part of jazz fusion band Interface before being persuaded by their manager Tony Tullett to move to a more rock direction 1 After bringing in bassist Gary Bevan the group began rehearsing with a second guitarist called Dave Saunders before Craig Stevens was enlisted after responding to an advertisement in Melody Maker magazine 1 The band took on the name Alkatrazz and spent around six months performing local shows before they were signed by RCA Records following a performance on the BBC Radio Kent Rock Show 1 Alkatrazz recorded their debut album Young Blood at Magritte and Regents Park Studios in London which was released in May 1981 preceded the month before by their first single Rockin High 2 The band toured in promotion of the album alongside fellow NWOBHM acts Magnum Tygers of Pan Tang and Samson 3 2 Shortly after touring with Samson Alkatrazz returned to the studio to record their second album Radio 5 on which they adopted a sound more akin to American album oriented rock AOR acts 1 4 The album featured guest appearances by Toni Childs and Mel Collins 5 Shortly after the release of Radio 5 however Alkatrazz were dropped by RCA 3 Bevan was fired from the band around the same time which according to Stevens was a knee jerk reaction born out of frustration and was replaced by their sound engineer Phillip Tame 1 Desipte several sources claiming that Parsons was replaced by former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr in 1983 3 he was not Burr joined an American group with a similar name Bevan has commented on Burr reportedly having joined I have no idea where that one came from but I do think it s quite funny 1 Shortly thereafter Alkatrazz disbanded 3 Members EditCraig Stevens lead vocals 1980 83 Bob Jenner guitar backing vocals 1980 83 Nicko Parsons drums percussion backing vocals 1980 83 Gary Bevan bass 1980 82 Phillip Tame bass 1982 83 Discography EditStudio albums Young Blood 1981 Radio 5 1982 Singles Rockin High 1981 You and the Night 1981 Think It Over 1982 References Edit a b c d e f Alkatrazz We were a little more musical than the standard bands of the time Axe Crazy Retrieved 15 February 2020 a b Harrigan Brian 1985 Encyclopaedia Metallica London England Bobcat Books p 1963 ISBN 978 0860019282 a b c d Rivadavia Eduardo Alkatrazz Biography amp History AllMusic Retrieved 15 February 2020 Alkatrazz Biography amp History AllMusic Retrieved 15 February 2020 Alkatrazz Radio 5 1982 Vinyl Discogs Retrieved 15 February 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alkatrazz amp oldid 1104672724, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
