Uriah Heep | Artist

Band member Gary Thain died in 1975 at the age of 27, tragically joining that illustrious group of brilliant yet ill-fated artists known as the "27 Club"

Uriah Heep is an English progressive rock band formed 1969 in London by Mick Box (guitar, vocals), David Byron (vocals), Colin Wood (keyboards), Ken Hensley (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Paul Newton (bass), and Alex Napier (drums). After an early lineup reshuffle, the classic lineup solidified as Mick Box, David Byron, Ken Hensley, Lee Kerslake (drums) and Gary Thain (bass). Box, Byron and Newton were formerly in the band Spice, while Hensley and Kerslake came from The Gods. New Zealand born bassist Gary Thain, who was formerly with the Keef Hartley Band, died in 1975 and was initially replaced by ex-Family and King Crimson member John Wetton, who subsequently left to form Asia. He was replaced by Spider From Mars and Wishbone Ash bassist Trevor Bolder (who left and later returned), then by ex-pat Australian bassist Bob Daisley who was formerly with Kahvas Jute. At the present day, guitarist Mick Box is the last founding member still playing. Uriah Heep were part of the early 1970s rock scene, alongside contemporaries, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, and have been referred to as major pioneers of the hard rock, heavy metal and progressive rock genres. The band have sold over 40 million albums worldwide, with over 4 million sales in the US, where their best-known songs include "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'", "The Wizard", "Sweet Lorraine" and "Stealin'". They also maintain a significant enduring following and perform at arena-sized venues throughout Europe and Japan. Heep's heavy prog sound was characterised by prominent organ playing over a driving rhythm section, augmented by Box's searing guitar work and Byron's operatic vocal delivery. The band's discography comprises 28 studio albums, plus live albums, EP's and Singles. Uriah Heep was one of the first and most successful bands signed to Vertigo Records, the newly formed Philips label. Their first five albums released between 1970-1972 are classics: Very 'eavy...Very 'umble (1970), Salisbury (1971), Look at Yourself (1971), Demons and Wizards (1972) and The Magician's Birthday (1971). Also recommended are Live and Sweet Freedom both from 1973, and Firefly from 1977. Two former Uriah Heep members died in 2020: Lee Kerslake and Ken Hensley. They had both each recorded a solo album earlier that year, posthumously released in early 2021. Another former member, vocalist John Lawton, died in 2021, at the age of 74. In September 2024, Uriah Heep announced that they will be embarking on a farewell tour, titled The Magician's Farewell, in celebration of their 55th anniversary. The tour is expected to start in February 2025 and last for two or three years, with 78 year old founding member, guitarist Mick Box (real name Michael Frederick Box) stating that the band "intend to play as many places as possible." The band took its name Uriah Heep from the fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his 1850 novel David Copperfield. Heep as a character is notable for his sycophancy.

Artist Website: uriah-heep.com

Featured Albums: Uriah Heep

Related Artists: The Gods, Toe Fat

Collections: 27 Forever