David Byron: biography and discography

The name of the singer, who gained popularity in the composition of several groups, is familiar to all fans of such areas as art rock, hard rock and progressive rock. It was in these genres that David Byron (photo attached) started his career as a musician and gained world recognition. For his work, he released more than fifteen records, including three solo albums.

Musicians - since birth

David Garrick was born in 1947 in a family that had a lasting relationship to the world of music. His mother was a member of a jazz band. According to Byron, from a young age, this atmosphere became familiar in a house where it was hard to imagine even one day without music. Dream of the scene Byron began at the same time - no matter how, but 5-year-old David already clearly saw himself in the future profession.

Probably, fate favored him. And I let my childhood dream come true. In 1967, the band The Stalkers was just looking for a new member. David Byron himself was a fan of the band and often went to her concerts. Talking once with drummer Roger Penlington, he soon came to audition. According to the recollections of the latter, it cost Byron to play a couple of songs - and his "fate" in the team was a foregone conclusion. For a long time the team was not taken seriously. However, the first album lifted The Stalkers to the top of hard rock, putting it on a par with Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.

The first successes give birth to new forces

Another member of the band, guitarist Mick Box, became for Byron a partner in a new group called Spice. With a single single, she managed to actively tour, gaining experience and the first recognition of fans.

The popularity of Spice allowed to perform in local clubs, which were heard about the new team. In this period Jerry Bron begins to cooperate with the group. The first thing that a famous music producer is making is renaming the band in Uriah Heep ("Juraj Hip"). David Byron becomes not only the author of most texts. For a few months, he turns into a charismatic frontman. The stage presentation of the material was entrenched as its own "trick", which the musician will actively use in his future career. Many hits were created "under him" in the calculation that he would add expression and drive to the concerts. Many critics have noted that Byron is a singer with an incredible range from nature. His vocals are recognized as outstanding and most close to opera.

Free Bird

What kind of performer does not want a solo career? Release of the plate Take No Prisoners took place in 1975. The album was not created as part of Uriah Heep. To the record, David Byron attracts famous musicians. The disc in many ways was similar to the style of the group, including elements of soul-performance, but it turned out to be whole. Critics also spoke of the consistency with which the plate is sustained. Unfortunately, financially, it did not have the proper success, despite the recognition of Byron's fans.

With his friends on Uriah Heep David Byron keeps friendly relations. Moreover, the single Man Full of Yesterday is dedicated to Gary Tain, who suffers from drug addiction.

The first failures: personal drama and "frivolity" of the label

Almost a year after the release of the solo album, Byron himself is fond of alcohol, which is not reflected in the work of Uriah Heep. During this period, the band released a record High and Mighty, recorded without a producer, which causes resentment in the music environment. The singer is justified by the dense touring schedule, which does not allow to give more time to the recording.

High and Mighty was recognized as the most "lightweight" of all the records of the band. Perhaps the reason for the failure lies not in its sound qualities, but rather, because of the loyal relationship of the issuing label Bronze Records. Trying to stay similar to Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep organizes a chic presentation - the place for this is the Swiss mountains, to which the press is provided with special flights.

From the gate turn

Jerry Bron, according to information, set up the press against the plate. He gave Byron two months to put himself in order. But it was in vain. As a result, with the return of the group from the tour of Spain, Byron received a report of his dismissal.

Officially, this was called as "the inability to break out of the conflict within the collective". Producers saw this as the beginning of a new life for Uriah Heep, but later admitted that Byron's departure resulted in the dissolution of the band and the loss of her "own magic" that defines a particular style.

At that time, the musician was addicted to alcoholism and often ripped off rehearsals, which put the entire collective under attack.

Still Pet

The life of the beloved singer was watched by the whole musical world. How did David Byron watch the contract break? The artist's biography includes new collectives, to which he started almost immediately. The Rough Diamond group consisted of former members Humble Pie and Wings, but after the debut record of 1977 decided to cease its activities. A year later comes the second solo album Byron - Baby Faced Killer, which is noted by critics as masterfully arranged, full of new disco and pop elements. In 1981, the audience met with another group of David Byron, who received a concise title - The Byron Band. The team released several singles and a single album.

Return will not be

After Uriah Heep began to fall apart, managers tried to do everything possible to repeat the past success. One of the options could be the return of Byron and other musicians who left Yuri Hip shortly after. But the singer refused.

Failures in the career exacerbated the already deplorable state of Byron. His health was shaken. The reason was alcohol. At one of the concerts David Byron felt ill, which led to the fact that he was forced to cancel performances.

The musician was found dead in his own apartment in England, where he lived his whole life. According to the conclusion of doctors, not alcoholism was the cause of death, and related violations in the work of the heart. In recent years, Byron tried to quit with alcohol. The search in the house showed the absence of any alcoholic beverages.

The main creative legacy of Byron was not published plates, but a voice. It is a symbol of the 70's, an era of development and formation of the rock direction. The most famous composition - July Morning - serves as the benchmark due to the powerful bewitching vocal of the singer. This track is recognized in many countries of the world; His sound palette was diverse, which predetermined so obvious success of the composition and the entire album.

What did David Byron remember? The discography of the singer includes several albums, which, in the absence of financial gain, won tremendous success among fans of his talent. The most striking of them are Demons and Wizards (1972), Wonderworld (1974), Return To Fantasy (1975), Take No Prisoners (1975), High and Mighty (1976), Rough Diamond (1977).

It is noteworthy that the records of Lost And Found, That Was Only Yesterday, One Minute More were recorded in the first half of the 80s as part of various groups, but were not released by Byron. To present the fans unfinished albums of the musician, they were processed after his death. The release took place in 2003 and 2008.