Following the Vol. 4 world tour, Black Sabbath returned to Los Angeles to begin work on their next release. Pleased with the Vol. 4 album, the band sought to recreate the recording atmosphere, and returned to the Record Plant studio in Los Angeles. With new musical innovations of the era,…
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In 1973, Blackmore steered Deep Purple through a significant personnel change, with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover being replaced by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes .
With a string of successful concept albums and several hit singles, the band continued their grueling schedule and toured the United States again. Continued attempts by politicians and pressure groups to ban their shocking act only served to fuel the legend of Alice Cooper further and generate even greater public…
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Vixen was formed in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1973 by guitarist Jan Kuehnemund after playing in the band Lemon Pepper in high school later changing the name to Genesis, which broke up in 1974. Nancy Shanks was her bandmate during that time and two drummers were featured, Marlene Peterson and…
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In late December 1972, Manhattan resident John Segall (who later renamed himself “Jay Jay French”) auditioned for, and was asked to join, the “glitter band” Silver Star from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. Silver Star was formed by drummer Mel Anderson (“Mel Star”) as the “New Jersey version of the New York…
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Moore left and was replaced with Chris “Congo” Campbell, and the band joined the management agency of Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi , Iommi Management Agency. Atkins continued to write material for the band—including “Whiskey Woman”, which became the base for the Judas Priest staple ” Victim of Changes “—but…
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In November 1972, the band played a showcase for Epic Records A&R director Don Ellis, in an effort to secure a record deal.
Six months later, in November 1972, Uriah Heep’s fifth studio album The Magician’s Birthday (No. 28 UK, No. 31 US) came out, with ” Sweet Lorraine ” released as an American single and the title track (a multi-part fantasy epic featuring Hensley–Byron vocal duel and Box’s extensive guitar solo in…
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Vol. 4 was released in September 1972, and while critics were dismissive, it achieved Gold status in less than a month, and was the band’s fourth consecutive release to sell a million in the US.
A Japan tour in August of that year led to a double live album, Made in Japan . Originally intended as a Japan-only release, its worldwide release became an instant hit, reaching platinum status in five countries, including the US. It remains one of rock music’s most popular and highest…
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