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SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING
Many people feel Phil Lanzon resembles actor Christopher Lloyd. Lloyd played "Doc" from the Back to the Future movies.
In fact, Phil almost has the look of a mad scientist
while his lightning quick fingers zip down his keyboards.
DREAM ON
The single released from the Sea of Light album was Dream On. The CD included two other rare recordings, "The Other Side of Midnight"
from the Spellbinder concert and a studio version of "Mr Majestic".
The first song was omitted from the Spellbinder CD and
the second was only released on the Still 'Eavy, Still Proud compilation.
A video was filmed for the " Dream On" single however apparently it has never been broadcasted outside of Germany.
BERNIE'S TATTOO
Recently Bernie Shaw got a large tattoo on his right arm. Bernie's
tattoo is a Native American symbol related to his heritage.
BERNIE HAS THROAT PROBLEMS!
In February of 1995, Bernie Shaw noticed he
was unable to sing any notes from middle C upwards.
Heep had just finished the Sea of Light album and he working on learning
the new tracks. After seeing doctors, a speech therapist and psycho therapists; the problem was finally located. There was a polyp on his vocal chord.
The nodule was removed in a forty minute operation.
JOHN LAWTON STEPS IN FOR BERNIE
In the meantime, Heep had a tour of South Africa which couldn't be cancelled so John Lawton stepped in and substituted
for Bernie on these gigs, as well as two concerts in
Europe. While John was rehearsing with the band;
Bernie was there, off-mic, learning the songs also.
Soon Bernie was back to his old self, touring with Heep
around the world.
MORE AWARDS
In 1995, Uriah Heep was once again presented with a Golden Lion Award.
This one was a Lifetime Achievement Award for
their contribution to the music industry over the band's 25 year history.
HEEP IN HELL??
Although there are many critics that may have wished for this, "Heep in Hell"
is actually the name of a bootleg recording of Uriah Heep
playing at the Hell Blues Festival in Norway. The festival is a popular annual event and despite the name attracts a good selection of bands.
BLACK SABBATH / URIAH HEEP FAMILY TREE
The BBC decided to air a program going over the personnel history of
Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep and related bands. The BBC came
up with too much material for one show so Uriah Heep's
portion of the program was dropped. Hopefully Uriah Heep will have their own BBC family tree program at a later date.
A TIME OF REVELATION
BOXSET
An excellent 4 CD boxset was released in 1996 by
Essential Records/Castle Communications named "A Time of
Revelation, 25 Years On". The boxset included
63 remastered tracks, 20 of which were
previously unreleased, with a 60 page booklet with
the band history. The only drawback to the set
was some of the laughable errors made
in the set starting with "Uriah Heap" printed on
the spine of the book.
Other top things we learned from ATOR....
1. Paul Newman took time off from acting and making salad dressing to play bass for Heep.
2. John Sloman wrote a song for Heep before he joined the band.
3. Heep had a vocalist named Steff Vontaine.
4. Gary Thain was electrocuted in Dallas, TX. Surprisingly, he was then
hospitalized!
LAWTONS ATTEND HEEPVENTION '99
John and Iris Lawton graciously accepted an invitation to attend Heepvention 1999
in Myrtle Beach, SC. Apparently they must have had
a good time since they decided to help
organize Heepvention 2000 in London the following year.
