Uriah Heep (band)

For the fictional character, see Uriah Heep (character).

Uriah Heep
Promotional image of the band's classic lineup in 1972 Left to right: Ken Hensley, Mick Box, Gary Thain, David Byron and Lee Kerslake
Promotional image of the band's classic lineup in 1972 Left to right: Ken Hensley, Mick Box, Gary Thain, David Byron and Lee Kerslake
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active1969–present
Labels
Members
Past membersList of Uriah Heep members
Websiteuriah-heep.com

Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969. Their current lineup consists of guitarist Mick Box, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, lead vocalist Bernie Shaw, drummer Russell Gilbrook, and bassist Dave Rimmer. They have experienced numerous lineup changes throughout their 55-year career, leaving Box as the only remaining original member. Former members of the band are vocalists David Byron, John Lawton, John Sloman, and Peter Goalby; bassists Paul Newton, Mark Clarke, Gary Thain, John Wetton, Trevor Bolder, and Bob Daisley; drummers Alex Napier, Nigel Olsson, Keith Baker, Iain Clark, Lee Kerslake, and Chris Slade; and keyboardists Ken Hensley, Gregg Dechert, and John Sinclair.

Uriah Heep were part of the early 1970s rock scene and have been referred to as major pioneers of the hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock genres.[1][2] The band have sold over 40 million albums worldwide, with over 4 million sales in the US,[3][4] where their best-known songs include "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'", "The Wizard", "Sweet Lorraine", and "Stealin'". They also maintain a significant following and perform at arena-sized venues in the Balkans, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, and Scandinavia.

Uriah Heep have released twenty-five studio albums of original material, twenty live albums and forty-one compilation albums (including two greatest hits albums). Thirteen of the band's studio albums have made it to the UK Albums Chart (Return to Fantasy reached No. 7 in 1975), while of the fifteen Billboard 200 Uriah Heep albums, Demons and Wizards was the most successful (No. 23, 1972).[5] In the late 1970s the band had massive success in Germany, where the "Lady in Black" single was a big hit.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Former URIAH HEEP Keyboardist KEN HENSLEY's Final Album To Receive Posthumous Release In March". Blabbermouth.net. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Uriah Heep eager to show Okanagan fans they've still got it". Kelowna Now. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Russel Gilbrook". Uriah Heep. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Uriah Heep". BMG.com. Bertelsmann Music Group. March 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Uriah Heep Billboard 200". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  6. ^ "LADY IN BLACK – THE NEW SINGLE BY URIAH HEEP". Uriah Heep. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  7. ^ Uriah Heep. Singles Archived 9 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. musicline.de.