80’s At 8 Rockturnal With Scotty B Thursday 5-18-23
One of Britain’s longest running rock bands, Uriah Heep. Left to right; Bernie Shaw, Phil Lanzon, Mick Box, Trevor Bolder, and Lee Kerslake. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
On tonights 80’s at 8 we landed and hung out in the year 1989 a year that contained loads of Glam, Hard Rock, and Metal bands. The first band up was British rockers Uria Heep with “Blood Red Roses” from their 1989 album “Raging Silence”. This album marked a significant chapter in the band’s history as it introduced Canadian vocalist Bernie Shaw and keyboardist Phil Lanzon, both of whom have remained with the band ever since. Produced by Richard Dodd, “Raging Silence” showcases Uriah Heep’s signature hard rock sound .”Raging Silence” served as Uriah Heep’s studio debut for Bernie Shaw and Phil Lanzon, bringing a fresh energy and dynamic to the band’s sound. The album’s title is an allusion to Manfred Mann’s Earth Band album “The Roaring Silence” (1976), paying homage to their contemporaries. “Raging Silence” was the band’s first studio album to have a release on CD, marking a transition into the digital era. “Blood Red Roses” was the second single released from the album. It was written by former Uriah Heep vocalist Pete Goalby, further exemplifies the band’s skillful songwriting and powerful performances. With its infectious hooks and passionate delivery, it solidified it’s place among the band’s most cherished tracks. Despite not achieving significant commercial success at the time of its release, “Raging Silence” has since garnered a dedicated following among Uriah Heep fans. The album’s exceptional musicianship, catchy melodies, and Bernie Shaw’s powerhouse vocals have contributed to its enduring appeal. Several tracks from “Raging Silence” have become staples in the band’s live performances, solidifying the album’s place in their extensive catalog .In the music video the band performs “Blood Red Roses on a fog filled studio stage. Lead singer Bernie Shaw’s shirt says Life is Music, I couldn’t agree more. You can check it out below:
ST. PAUL, MN – JULY 30: Rock band Badlands performs at Harriet Island at Riverfest in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 30, 1989. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The second track keeps us in the year 1989 with “Dreams in the Dark” by the super group Badlands. “Dreams in the Dark” has a Whitesnake vibe to it and is a notable song from the debut studio album of the American band Badlands, also titled “Badlands.” The album was released in 1989 and showcased the talents of vocalist Ray Gillen and drummer Eric Singer, both of whom had previously played together in Black Sabbath. Joining them in the band were guitarist Jake E. Lee and bassist Greg Chaisson. The album achieved moderate commercial success, selling 400,000 copies by 1990. “Dreams in the Dark” stands out as a powerful track on the album, displaying the band’s unique blend of hard rock and bluesy elements. The song captures the raw energy and musical prowess of Badlands, with its infectious hooks, intense guitar solos, and Gillen’s soulful vocals. The album itself received positive reviews from critics. Kirk Blows of Music Week, a British music newspaper, described it as an accomplished and worthy debut, praising its diversity. Billboard also commended the album, calling it a collection of well-crafted tunes that had the potential to be radio hits and sound great in a live setting. The album reached # 57 on the Billboard 200 album chart and “Dreams in the Dark” reached #38 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, it’s success led to Badlands gaining recognition in the hair metal genre. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album at No. 35 on its list of the 50 Greatest Hair Metal Albums of All Time. The album’s critical acclaim and commercial success solidified Badlands’ position in the rock music scene of the late 1980s. The music video features the band also performing on a studio stage, that was the thing back in the day. You can check it out below:
