Music Diary – 20th January

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 20th January!

Ian Hill (Judas Priest)

 Happy birthday to Judas Priest bassist Ian Frank Hill, who was born on the 20th January 1951 in West Bromwich (UK)!

Taught by his father, who played in local Jazz bands, Ian Hill learned how to play the double bass. At the age of 19, Ian founded with guitarist Kenny “K.K.” Downing the band Judas Priest. Singer Rob Halford and second guitarist Glenn Tipton joined later. And with drummer John Hinch the debut album “Rocka Rolla“ (1974) was recorded. The LP was anything but a success. With the follow-up “Sad Wings of Destiny” (1976) the group became better known. Classic tracks like “Victim of Changes“, “The Ripper” and “Dreamer Deceiver” should get a fix place on future setlists. The special Judas Priest sound, with two guitars and Halford’s unique voice, has been refined over the years. Due to albums like “Sin After Sin” (1977), „Stained Class“, “Killing Machine” (both 1978) and “British Steel” (1980) the band is conisdered as the pioneer of British Heavy Metal.

Ian Hill has only three songwriting credits („Winter“ and „Caviar and Meths“ – both featured on „Rocka Rolla“ and „Invader“ from „Stained Class“). After the departing of K.K. Downing in 2011, Ian Hill is the sole constant founding member of Judas Priest.

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Music Diary – 25th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 25th October!

GlennTipton (Judas Priest)

Glenn Tipton was born on the 25th October 1948 in Blackeath, West Midlands (UK). Before becoming the guitarist of the legendary Heavy Metal band Judas Priest, Glenn attended Olive Hill Primary School at the age of five. And as a young boy he was taugt to play the piano by his mother.

At the age of 19, Tipton began to play the guitar – his first instrument was a Hofner acoustic. Later he changed to a Rickenbacker before he could afford a Fender Stratocaster.This one was stolen and he replaced it with a black axe of the same type. Later he also bought a Gibson SG.

Tipton’s first band was called „Shave Em‘ Dry“ – the named changed into „Merlin“ and „Flying Hat Band„. And in April 1974 he joined Judas Priest during the recording sessions for the debut album „Rocka Rolla„. The band was founded by Kenny „K.K.“ Downing (Guitar) and Ian Hill (Bass). The line up that time was completed by Rob Halford (Vocals) and John Hinch (Drums). The title track was the single outtake in August 1974 – the album followed one month later. Judas Priest toured then through Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Denmark. The LP was a flop and also the concerts were not really successful. In November and December 1975 the next album „Sad Wings of Destiny“ was recorded and released on 23rd March 1976. Especially the tracks „Victim of Changes„, „The Ripper“ and „Dreamer Deceiver“ stood out and a great fanbase was created. And in 1977 with „Sin After Sin“ (released on the major label CBS and produced by Deep Purple’s Roger Glover) the band had found its very own sound and metal style which was refined over the years with classic albums like „Stained Class„, „Killing Machine“ (both1978) and „British Steel“ (1980).

In 1990 one of the most outstanding Heavy Metal releases ever, „Painkiller“ (1990), hit the market and this LP is still considered as one of miletstones of this genre.

After some changes in the line up (Rob Halford left the band in 1991 and returned twelve years later, K.K. Downing retired and was replaced by Richie Faulkner in 2011) the latest album „Redeemer of Souls“ (2014) hit the stores and Judas Priest are still touring all around the world.

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Music Diary – 14th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 14th October!

Dan McCafferty (Nazareth)

On the 14th October 1946, Scotsman William Daniel „Dan“ McCafferty was born in Dunfermline. In 1968 he founded with guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew and drummer Darrell Sweet the Hard Rock band Nazareth. The moniker was taken from a city in Pennsylvania, which is mentioned in the first line of The Band’s classic song „The Weight„. In 1970 the band moved to London and one year later the self titled debut album was released. In 1972 the LP „Exercises“ hit the shops and Nazareth did the support for Deep Purple. Shortly after this touring Purple’s bass player Roger Glover produced one year later „Razamanaz„, which features the two UK top ten hits „Broken Down Angel“ and „Bad Bad Boy“. And before the ending of 1973 the next Nazarth album was released: „Loud ‚N‘ Proud“ with the Joni Mitchell’s song „This Flight Tonight“ – this cover became also a hit single for the Scottish Hard Rock band. With „Hair of the Dog“ (1975)  the fanbase became bigger and bigger, because of the rockin‘ title track and the cover of the evergreen „Love Hurts“ – the ballad went platinum in the United States and is still Nazareth’s superhit until today.

 

In 1979 Zal Cleminson (formerly The Sensational Alex Harvey Band) joined Nazareth as a second guitarist and recorded with the band the two albums „No Mean City“ and „Malice in Wonderland“ (1980). Different line-ups happened over the years and in 1999 drummer Darrell Sweet died at the age of 51. Lee Agnew, son of bass player Pete Agnew, replaced Sweet.

On 28th August 2013, Nazareth announced the retirement of singer Dan McCafferty due to ill health. So the latest record „Rock ’n‘ Roll Telephone“ (2014) features Dan’s voice for the last time on a Nazareth release. In February 2014 the new singer was presented: Linton Osborne was chosen with McCafferty’s blessing.

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