Uriah Heep

Uriah Heep, an English rock band, was formed in London in 1969. The band’s origins trace back to 1967 when Mick Box formed a band called Hogwash. After personnel changes, Box and David Garrick (who changed his surname to Byron) formed Spice. They were managed by Gerry Bron and signed to Vertigo Records. The band changed their name to Uriah Heep, a character from Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield.” Their sound expanded with the addition of keyboardist Ken Hensley. Their 1970 debut album, “…Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble,” introduced a guitar-driven sound with David Byron’s theatrical vocals, featuring the signature track “Gypsy.” Personnel changes continued in the early years, including drummers Nigel Olsson and Keith Baker.

The band’s second album, “Salisbury” (1971), delved into a progressive rock style, including the 16-minute title track with a 24-piece orchestra. “Lady in Black” from this album became a hit in Germany upon its re-release in 1977. The third album, “Look at Yourself” (1971), solidified their musical direction and featured “July Morning.” The band’s classic lineup, featuring Mick Box, Ken Hensley, David Byron, Gary Thain, and Lee Kerslake, formed in 1972. This lineup produced the critically acclaimed album “Demons and Wizards” (1972), which reached No. 20 in the UK and No. 23 in the US. This period brought hits like “Easy Livin'” and “The Wizard,” solidifying their reputation. Subsequent albums like “The Magician’s Birthday” (1972) and “Sweet Freedom” (1973) continued their success, with “Uriah Heep Live” (1973) capturing their live performances.

From the mid-1970s onwards, the band experienced further lineup changes due to various factors. John Wetton joined in 1975, contributing to “Return to Fantasy” (1975). Later, John Lawton and Trevor Bolder became members, shifting the band’s sound towards a more straightforward hard rock style. Despite numerous personnel changes, Uriah Heep maintained a stable lineup for two decades from 1986 to 2007, featuring Mick Box, Phil Lanzon, Bernie Shaw, Russell Gilbrook, and Dave Rimmer. They achieved significant success touring internationally, including being the first Western rock band to play in the Soviet Union in 1987. The band has continued to release albums, with their 25th studio album, “Chaos & Colour,” released in 2023. They announced “The Magician’s Farewell” tour for their 55th anniversary in 2024, with Mick Box intending to play as many places as possible.