"Uriah Heep" (1969 - ) is a British rock music | rock band, officially formed in 1969 in England, when record producer Gerry Bron invited keyboardist Ken Hensley (previously a member of The Gods and Toe Fat (band)|Toe Fat) to join Spice, a band signed to his own Bronze Records label. Sometimes jokingly referred to as "The Beach Boys of heavy metal" for their melodic songs, and trademark multi-part harmony backing vocals, although their music draws on diverse influences including progressive rock, hard rock, early heavy metal, jazz, and even country on occasion.
Their debut album, ''Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble'' (which was self-titled in the United States), introduced a heavy organ and guitar-driven sound, with David Byron's theatrical, dynamic vocals soaring above thunderous sonic backgrounds, although acoustic and jazz elements also featured in the mix. Their second album, ''Salisbury'', was more squarely in the progressive rock genre, with its 16-minute title track featuring a 24-piece orchestra; subsequent releases would find the group's ever-shifting lineup (between 1969 and 1980, the band changed drummers five times, bassists four times, and lead singers twice) frequently exploring fantasy-oriented lyrical themes, often in lengthy, multi-part compositions, largely penned by Hensley, who would eventually come to dominate the band during his tenure, until his acrimonious departure in September 1980 left the group in a state of collapse. It fell to guitarist Mick Box to pick up the pieces and soldier on; Box has been the band leader ever since, and currently acts as their manager as well. " ''(Update: as of April 5 2005, the band has retained Simon Porter as their manager, see announcement here: http://uriah-heep.com/newa/specialstatement.php).'' "
In spite of their huge popularity in Britain and continental Europe, Uriah Heep was never able to break into the American market in a big way, with the exception of two hit songs, "Easy Livin' ", from their 1972 album ''Demons and Wizards'', and "Stealin' " from the 1973 release ''Sweet Freedom''. In Germany, their biggest hit was "Free Me", from the 1977 album ''Innocent Victim''. The band released several commercially successful albums in the 1970s, but their audience declined during the 1980s, to the point where they became essentially a cult band in the US and UK, although they maintain a significant following in Germany, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian peninsula, Japan, and Russia.
They still tour and release occasional studio (and frequent live) albums, featuring the same lineup since 1986. Their principal tour circuit is in the countries mentioned above, although they return to Britain for a tour each year that culminates in 'The Magician's Birthday Party' (named for one of their most popular albums) in November in London. This event consists of fan gatherings (a devoted fan is usually referred to as a Heepster) at local venues featuring current and former band members, and a concert, often with guest appearances by former members, (including Hensley, who has appeared onstage with the band at one show, and performed a seperate solo concert as part of the festivities for another) which is filmed and released as a DVD and CD.
Band Members
*Mick Box: Lead guitar/vocals 1969�present *Lee Kerslake: Drums/vocals 1972�1979 and 1982�present *Bernie Shaw: Lead vocals 1986�present *Trevor Bolder: Bass guitar/vocals 1976�1981 and 1983�present *Phil Lanzon: Keyboards/vocals 1986�present
