Nazareth

Nazareth are a Scottish hard rock band from Dunfermline, United Kingdom, formed in 1968 and active since then. They begin as a reworked version of the local semi-professional group the Shadettes, with vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew and drummer Darrell Sweet among the founding members. Their sound develops from influences including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Career

The band takes its name from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, as referenced in the song “The Weight”. They move to London in 1970 and release their self-titled debut album in 1971. Their second album, Exercises (1972), leads to touring support slots with Deep Purple.

Razamanaz follows in 1973 and includes the UK Top Ten singles “Broken Down Angel” and “Bad Bad Boy”. Later releases in the same period include Loud 'N' Proud (1973), which features a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “This Flight Tonight”, and Rampant (1974), which includes “Shanghai'd in Shanghai”. A non-album version of “My White Bicycle” reaches the UK Top 20 in 1975.

Hair of the Dog and later 1970s work

The 1975 album Hair of the Dog, produced by Manny Charlton, includes the title track and a cover of the Everly Brothers’ “Love Hurts”. “Love Hurts” becomes a top ten hit in several countries, reaches number one in six countries, and goes platinum in the United States. In 1979, second guitarist Zal Cleminson joins for two albums, No Mean City and Malice in Wonderland, and contributes compositions and the single “Holiday”.

1980s to 2000s

In 1981, Nazareth contribute “Crazy (A Suitable Case for Treatment)” to the soundtrack of the film Heavy Metal. They continue recording and touring through the 1980s and 1990s, with a lower international profile but continuing popularity in parts of Europe, especially Germany. Billy Rankin replaces Manny Charlton on No Jive (1991) and remains with the band until 1994. Guns N' Roses later cover “Hair of the Dog” on The Spaghetti Incident? in 1993.

After Rankin leaves, Jimmy Murrison and keyboard player Ronnie Leahy join for touring. Original drummer Darrell Sweet dies in 1999 and is replaced by Lee Agnew, Pete Agnew’s son. Former keyboardist John Locke dies in 2006. The band release The Newz in 2008, Big Dogz in 2011, Rock 'n' Roll Telephone in 2014, and Tattooed on My Brain in 2018. Surviving the Law follows in 2022.

Line-up changes

Dan McCafferty retires in 2013 because of ill health, leaving Pete Agnew as the only remaining original member. Linton Osborne replaces McCafferty in 2014 but leaves in 2015, and Carl Sentance then becomes lead vocalist. Manny Charlton dies in 2022, and Dan McCafferty dies later the same year. In December 2025, Sentance is replaced by Italian singer Gianni Pontillo, who makes his live debut with the band in February 2026.

Selected albums

The band’s studio albums include Nazareth (1971), Exercises (1972), Razamanaz (1973), Loud 'n' Proud (1973), Rampant (1974), Hair of the Dog (1975), Close Enough for Rock 'n' Roll (1976), Play 'n' the Game (1976), Expect No Mercy (1977), No Mean City (1979), Malice in Wonderland (1980), The Fool Circle (1981), 2XS (1982), Sound Elixir (1983), The Catch (1984), Cinema (1986), Snakes 'n' Ladders (1989), No Jive (1991), Move Me (1994), Boogaloo (1998), The Newz (2008), Big Dogz (2011), Rock 'n' Roll Telephone (2014), Tattooed on My Brain (2018) and Surviving the Law (2022).