Widowmaker | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | England |
| Genres | Hard rock,blues-rock |
| Years active | 1975–1977 |
| Labels | United Artists,Jet,Castle |
| Past members | Ariel Bender Bob Daisley Huw Lloyd-Langton Steve Ellis Paul Nicholls John Butler |
Widowmaker were aBritishhard rock band[1] and active from 1975 to 1977. They were considered by many to be asupergroup and released two albums. Although their influences appeared to offer vast creative possibilities, musical and personality differences led to their break-up.[2] The legacy of Widowmaker is captured on the compilationStraight Faced Fighters (2002) released byCastle; it includes tracks from both of their albums.[3]
The band was formed by formerMott the Hoople andSpooky Tooth guitaristLuther Grosvenor, also known as Ariel Bender. The original line-up featured vocalistSteve Ellis fromLove Affair, guitaristHuw Lloyd-Langton fromHawkwind,Australian bassistBob Daisley ofChicken Shack, and drummer Paul Nicholls who had played withLindisfarne.[4]
A few months after they began rehearsing atEmerson, Lake & Palmer's Manticore Studios in London,Don Arden, the owner ofJet Records signed them.[4] A single release "On the Road" followed in February 1976 and their debut albumWidowmaker was released in the same year.[4] The line-up forWidowmaker was augmented in thestudio by vocalist and guitaristBobby Tench fromStreetwalkers andHammond playerZoot Money.Widowmaker reached #196 in US and featured an eclectic mix of blues, country, folk, and hard rock.[5]
Widowmaker toured theU.K. withNazareth and in June 1976 they took part in a short series of all-day stadium concerts inLondon andSwansea entitledWho Put The Boot In alongside the leadingrock bandsLittle Feat,The Sensational Alex Harvey Band,Outlaws,Streetwalkers, and the headline act,The Who.[6]
Ellis left the band after a tour ofNorth America withElectric Light Orchestra and was replaced by vocalist John Butler and the band recorded their second albumToo Late to Cry.[4] Daisley joinedRainbow and Widowmaker broke up after the release ofToo Late to Cry (February 1977).[4]
Taken from the albumWidowmaker[3]
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