Uriah Heep

Uriah Heep are a British rock group from London, active since 1970, known for a mix of hard rock, classic rock, progressive rock and heavy metal. The group forms around guitarist Mick Box, the only original member still in the line-up. The current personnel also includes keyboardist Phil Lanzon, vocalist Bernie Shaw, drummer Russell Gilbrook and bassist Dave Rimmer.

Line-up history

The band goes through many personnel changes over its career. Former members include singers 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. The wider membership also includes Steff Fontaine.

Style and reputation

Uriah Heep are associated with the early 1970s rock scene and with the development of hard rock, heavy metal and progressive rock. Their sound is also described as acoustic rock, classic rock and rock. The band maintains an international following and performs regularly in large venues in regions including the Balkans, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia and Scandinavia.

Recordings and chart success

The group releases twenty-five studio albums, twenty live albums and forty-one compilation albums, including two greatest hits collections. Thirteen studio albums appear on the UK Albums Chart, with Return to Fantasy reaching number 7. Fifteen albums enter the Billboard 200, with Demons and Wizards reaching number 23. By the late 1970s, the band also achieves notable commercial success in Germany, where “Lady in Black” becomes popular.

Notable songs and albums

Among the band’s best-known songs are “Look at Yourself”, “July Morning”, “Easy Livin’”, “Come Away Melinda”, “The Wizard”, “Sunrise”, “Lady in Black” and “Gypsy”. Their studio albums include ...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble, Salisbury, Look at Yourself, Demons and Wizards, The Magician’s Birthday, Sweet Freedom, Wonderworld, Return to Fantasy, High and Mighty, Firefly, Innocent Victim, Fallen Angel, Conquest, Abominog, Head First, Equator, Raging Silence, Different World, Sea of Light, Sonic Origami, Wake the Sleeper, Into the Wild, Outsider, Living the Dream and Chaos & Colour.

Commercial profile

The band sells more than 40 million albums worldwide, including over 4 million in the United States.