Led Zeppelin

Overview
The band was originally formed in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page under the name “The New Yardbirds,” based on Page’s previous band, The Yardbirds. While The New Yardbirds arose at first simply to fulfill some performance commitments booked in Scandinavia before the original band’s break-up, Page attempted to create a rock-supergroup out of the new band, which would have been composed of the Yardbirds’ own Page and Jeff Beck, The Who’s Keith Moon and John Entwistle (who were considering leaving their band), and possibly Steve Winwood or Steve Marriott.

After Page’s attempt at forming a supergroup failed, Page filled the band with vocalist Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham and long-time friend and fellow London recording session player John Paul Jones. Page’s first choice as singer, Terry Reid, declined the opportunity but selflessly recommended Plant, who accepted and then brought in his old friend Bonham from the defunct Band of Joy.

After some concerts with this new line-up billed variously as the New Yardbirds, or sometimes simply The Yardbirds, the band’s name was changed to Led Zeppelin, after a comment was made by The Who’s drummer Keith Moon while the New Yardbirds supergroup was still a possibility. Moon (although some attribute the comment to the Who’s bassist John Entwistle) was quoted saying that the band would go down faster than a “lead zeppelin”. The group adopted the name, deliberately misspelling the first part to prevent fans from pronouncing it as “leed.”

Shortly after their first tour, the group’s eponymous first album was released on January 12, 1969. Its blend of blues and rock influences with distorted amplification made it one of the pivotal records in the evolution of heavy metal music. Although several of Zeppelin’s earliest songs were based on or were cover versions of blues standards, others such as “Communication Breakdown” had a unique and distinctively heavy sound. Led Zeppelin also featured delicate acoustic guitar on “Black Mountain Side” in which you can hear the influence of Davy Graham, and a combination of acoustic and electric approaches on the reworked folk song “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.” The immediate success of the first album kick-started the band’s career, especially in the United States, where they would frequently tour.

The second record, simply titled Led Zeppelin II, followed in similar style later that year: the album begins with the bludgeoning riff of “Whole Lotta Love,” which, driven by the rhythm section of Bonham on drums and Jones on bass, defined their sound at the time. Led Zeppelin II—often referred to by fans as the “Brown Bomber”—was an even greater success for the group, reaching the Number 1 chart position in both the US and the UK.

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were blues fanatics; their first album included the Willie Dixon song “You Shook Me,” and their later hit “Whole Lotta Love” was lyrically very similar to an earlier Dixon song. (The band were subsequently accused of using his lyrics without crediting Dixon, and it was not until Chess Records brought suit 15 years later, that proper credit—and a monetary settlement—was given.)

Page was once quoted in an interview with the hypothesis: “I’ve often thought that in the way the Stones tried to be the sons of Chuck Berry, we tried to be the sons of Howlin’ Wolf” (a version of whose song “Killing Floor” featured prominently in Zeppelin’s early live performances). The band also loved American rock and roll: the exuberant styles of Fats Domino and Little Richard were inspirations, and Led Zeppelin would perform rockabilly songs originally made famous by Elvis Presley and Eddie Cochran. Onstage, Led Zeppelin concerts could last more than three hours; expanded, improvised live versions of their song repertoire often incorporated tight workouts of James Brown, Stax, and Motown-influenced soul music and funk (favorites of bassist Jones and drummer Bonham).

For the writing of the music on their third album, Led Zeppelin III, the band retired to Bron-Yr-Aur, a remote cottage in Wales. This would result in a more acoustic sound (and a song “Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp”, misspelled as “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp” on the album cover) strongly influenced by Celtic and folk music, and it also revealed a different side of guitarist Page’s prodigious talent. Led Zeppelin III also ushered in an era of unique album jackets, this one featuring a wheel that displayed various images through cutouts in the main jacket sleeve when rotated. In November of 1970, Led Zeppelin’s record label, Atlantic Records, released “Immigrant Song” as a single against the band’s wishes (Atlantic had earlier released an edited version of “Whole Lotta Love” which cut the 5:34 song to 3:10). It included their only b-side, “Hey Hey What Can I Do”. Even though the band saw their albums as indivisible, whole listening experiences — and their manager, Peter Grant, maintained an aggressive pro-album stance — nine other singles were released without their consent. The group also resisted television appearances, which would have reduced their ability to control their presentation and sound quality. Lack of Zeppelin TV exposure also enforced the band’s preference that their fans hear and see them in person.

Their fourth album, Led Zeppelin IV featured the world famous “Stairway to Heaven”, a masterpiece which every year tops the various Top100 radio lists. On stage Jimmy Page performed Stairway to Heaven on a custom built double neck electric Gibson guitar, the top neck a twelve string version.

Over 25 years after disbanding in response to drummer John Bonham’s tragic death in 1980, Led Zeppelin continue to be held in high regard for their artistic achievements, commercial success and influence. To date, the group is reported to have sold more than 300 million albums worldwide, including 109.5 million sales in the United States.

Some regard Jimmy Page as the most talented rock/blues guitarist of all time. John Bonham gave a new sound to rock and roll, people were struck with amazement by his complex drum beats and his expansive drum solos. After his untimely death, the band broke up. Since then, Page, Plant, and Jones have only played together on rare occasions. Page and Plant did get back together to record No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded as part of the MTV Unplugged series in 1994, which was accompanied by a worldwide tour, and again in 1998 for the studio album Walking Into Clarksdale. John Paul Jones also has performed since the break up, most recently at the Bonnaroo music festival in Manchester, Tennessee. He was part of a “SuperJam” featuring himself on bass, Ben Harper on guitar, and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson on the drums. He also played as a guest during the sets of various other artists throughout the weekend.

Most recently Led Zeppelin have reformed (with Jason Bonham filling in on drums) for a one-off reunion concert in memory of Atlantic Records co-founder and executive Ahmet Ertegün. After a postponement due to Jimmy Page fracturing one of his fingers, the group performed on 10 December 2007 at the O2 Arena, London. The concert was filmed for a potential DVD release.

Jimmy Page has hinted that the group may start work on new material, and that a world tour may be in the works.

Members
* John Bonham
* John Paul Jones
* Jimmy Page
* Robert Plant

Discography
Studio albums
* Led Zeppelin (1969)
* Led Zeppelin II (1969)
* Led Zeppelin III (1970)
* Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
* Houses of the Holy (1973)
* Physical Graffiti (1975)
* Presence (1976)
* In Through the Out Door (1979)
* Coda (1982)

Download
Stairway To Heaven

White Lion

Overview
White Lion was a Hard Rock band of the 1980s and early 1990s.Their manager Mike Parente, also owned L’amour, a club in Brookyn. The band was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish-born vocalist Mike Tramp (original name Michael Trampenau) and guitarist Vito Bratta who wrote most of the band`s songs. The bands members were: James Lomenzo, Greg D’Angelo, Mike Tramp, Vito Bratta.

Fighting to survive
After moving from Denmark to New York in 1982, vocalist Mike Tramp (ex-Mabel,ex-Studs) met Brooklyn guitarist Vito Bratta (ex-Dreamer) and decided to form a band. The two recruited drummer Nicki Capozzi and bassist Felix Robinson (formerly of Angel) and named the group first Lion, then White Lion.

White Lion was signed by Elektra records in 1983 and recorded their debut Fight To Survive. However, Elektra was unhappy with the final recording, and after refusing to release the album, terminated their contract.

Both Capozzi and Robinson soon left the band. Nicki Capozzi was replaced by former Anthrax drummer Greg D’Angelo, and Felix Robinson was replaced by bassist Dave Spitz (brother of Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz). Within a month of joining, however, Dave Spitz left to play bass with Black Sabbath and was replaced by James Lomenzo.

The album Fight To Survive was eventually picked up by RCA and released in Japan in 1984. The small US independent label Grand Slamm records finally released Fight To Survive in the US on November 9, 1985. A few months later, Grand Slam records went bankrupt.

In early 1986, White Lion, with a fictitious “female” member, had a brief part in the Tom Hanks/Shelley Long movie The Money Pit.

The following year Atlantic released their second album Pride which brought success for them. Especially the single Wait which climbed to 8th place in the U.S. chart & real metal music listeners liked it too surprisingly. When the Children Cry was a bigger hit. It reached 3rd place. Atlantic released Fight to Survive worldwide too. The guys toured with the bands Frehley`s Comet, Kiss, AC/DC & Stryper.

In 1989 their next CD Big Game came out. That was a more successful album and it set up their place in the hard rock bands’ top-flight. Mike Tramp called their music “rock`n`roar”. That recording’s hit single was Radar Love, a classic originally recorded by Golden Earring.

1991 was the year when they made their best CD Mane attraction, according to Greg D`Angelo. It contained chart tune Lights & Thunder and a new version of their first album’s song Broken Heart.

In 1992 Greg D`Angelo & James Lomenzo had enough of Tramp`s continuous fighting with Bratta so they left the band. New members were bassist Tommy T. Bone Caradonna & drummer Jimmy De Grasso. Soon, in the autumn of the same year the band disbanded.

Greg & James have played in different groups after White Lion. Vito Bratta concentrated on classic guitar playing. Soon after disbanding Mike had a new band called Freak Of Nature with his Danish friend Oliver Steffanson. They made a few songs together and the demos with the band. Then Tramp & Steffanson had a fight when Staffanson went back to Denmark. The band recorded 2 albums during the years 1993-94. Later in year 1998 all their demos released too.

In year 1998 Mike made his first solo album Capricorn.

After 4 solo albums Mike formed Tramp’s White Lion in the year 2005 with young new musicians, with “Tramp’s” as part of the name to show it was only him from the original band. They recorded live album “Rockin’ the USA” and a studio album is planned as well.

Older White Lion`s demos were also released in the 2000`s as bonus tracks on their remastered albums and in one collection.

Members
Classic line up
* Mike Tramp - vocals, songwriter (1983 - present)
* Vito Bratta - guitars, songwriter (1983-1992)
* James LoMenzo - bass (1984-1992)
* Greg D'Angelo - drums (1984-1992)

Current members
* Mike Tramp - vocals, songwriter (1983 - present)
* Jamie Law - guitars (2005 - present)
* Troy Patrick Farrell - drums (2005 - present)
* Claus Langeskov - bass (2005 - present)
* Henning Wanner - keyboards (2005 - present)

Former members
* Vito Bratta - guitars, songwriter (1983-1992)
* James LoMenzo - bass (1984-1992)
* Greg D'Angelo - drums (1984-1992)
* Nicki Capozzi - drums (1983-1984)
* Felix Robinson - bass (1983-1984)
* Dave Spitz - bass (1984)
* Dan Hemmer - Hammond B-3 organ (1998-2005)
* Kasper Damgaard - guitar (1998-2005)
* Nils Kroyer - bass (1998-2005)
* Bjarne T. Holm - drums (1998-2005)

Touring members
* Tommy T-Bone Caradonna - bass (1991)
* Jimmy DeGrasso - drums (1991)

Discography
* Fight to Survive (November 9, 1985)
* Pride (June 21, 1987)
* Big Game (August 10, 1989)
* Mane Attraction (1991)
* The Best Of White Lion - Greatest hits compilation (1992)
* Remembering White Lion - new versions (1999)
* Anthology 83-89 - demos/previously unreleased songs (2004)
* Last Roar - (re-release of "Remembering White Lion" album, with new title) (2004)
* Rocking The USA - live album (November 8, 2006)
* The Definitive Rock Collection - compilation (2007)
* White Lion-Extended Versions (2007)
* Return of the Pride (2008)

Downloads
You're All I Need Love Don't Come Easy

Bon Jovi

Overview
Bon Jovi are a rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Fronted by lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.), the group originally achieved large-scale success in the 1980s.

Bon Jovi formed in 1983 with lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Alec John Such, and drummer Tico Torres. Other than the departure of Alec John Such in 1994 (which pared the lineup down to a quartet), the lineup has remained the same for the past 23 years.

After two moderately successful albums in 1984 and 1985, the band scored big with Slippery When Wet (1986) and New Jersey (1988), which sold a combined 19 million copies in the U.S. alone, charted eight Top Ten hits, and launched the band into global superstardom. After non-stop touring, the band went on hiatus after the New Jersey Tour in 1990, during which time Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora both released successful solo albums. In 1992, the band returned with the double platinum Keep the Faith and has since created a string of platinum albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, also expanding their musical horizons, combining rock with such genres as pop, adult contemporary, and country. The band has also been credited with inspiring the MTV Unplugged series with their famous sit-down acoustic performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards.

In 2006, the band won a Grammy for best Country Collaboration for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” with Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland and also became the first rock band to reach #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart with the same song. They have also been nominated twice for the smash hit “It’s My Life” and two songs from the album Bounce, “Misunderstood” and “Everyday”.

Throughout their career, the band has released ten studio albums, of which nine have gone platinum. In addition, the band has charted 19 singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, four of which reached #1 (“You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Livin’ On A Prayer”, “Bad Medicine”, and “I’ll Be There for You”). The band also holds the record for the most weeks for a hard rock album at #1 on the Billboard 200 with Slippery When Wet, as well as the most Top 10 singles from a hard rock album, with New Jersey, which charted five such singles.

Over the past 23 years, Bon Jovi has sold over 120 million albums worldwide, 34 million in the United States alone.

Members
* Jon Bon Jovi (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)
* Richie Sambora (lead guitar, backing vocals)
* David Bryan (keyboard, backing vocals)
* Tico Torres (drums, percussion)
* Alec John Such (bass guitar, backing vocals)

Discography
Albums
1. Bon Jovi (Jan 1984); #43 US
2. 7800° Fahrenheit (April 1985); #37 US, #28 UK
3. Slippery When Wet (August 1986); #1 US, #6 UK
4. New Jersey (September 1988); #1 US, #1 UK
5. Keep The Faith (November 1992); #5 US, #1 UK
6. These Days (July 1995); #9 US, #1 UK
7. Crush (June 2000); #9 US, #1 UK
8. Bounce (October 2002); #2 US, #2 UK
9. Have A Nice Day (September 2005);
10. Lost Highway (June 2007)

Others
1. Blaze Of Glory - Young Guns II (1990)
2. Cross Road - (October 1994); #8 US, #1 UK
3. Destination Anywhere - (1999)
4. One Wild Night: Live 1985-2001 (May 2001); #20 US, #2 UK
5. This Left Feels Right - (November 2003); #14 US, #4 UK


Downloads
Never Say Goodbye Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

Guns N' Roses

Overview
Guns N’ Roses is an influential American hard rock band founded in Los Angeles in 1985 that gained popularity in the late ’80s. The band was often referred to as “the world’s most dangerous band” due to their volatile live shows. Stemming from the LA rock & roll underground in 1986, the band signified a shift in rock from slick hair-metal back to gritty, dirty, street-smart rock & roll. The ugly lyrics matched the sleaze of the music—driven by heavy blues licks—covering misogyny, violence, city life, sex, liquor, and hard drugs. They also, however, had a tendency to show sensitivity and a desire to break free from the city. Subsequent albums revealed an influence from bands in the vein of The Rolling Stones and Queen.

Their 1987 breakthrough, Appetite for Destruction, (which is the second highest-selling debut album of all-time) 15 times platinum, coupled with the success of the hit single “Sweet Child o’ Mine” in 1988, took the world by storm. “Appetite” was full of raunchy hard rock with blistering anthemic guitar riffs and snarling vocals. It was unlike anything before, it was raw and real with no flaw at all.
A follow up EP was made in 1988 called GNR Lies which had 4 songs from their debut EP Live Like A Suicide and 3 new acoustic songs and an acoustic version of You’re Crazy. The album sold well and got into the top 10 alongside Appetite For Destruction. By 1991 they were one of the most popular bands in the world. Steven Adler(original drummer) was kicked out of the band due to his drug addiction making so blocked up that he was unable to play. Guns soldiered on and recorded Use Your Illusions 1 and 2 a double album that made history by making the number 1 and 2 spots on the American Billboard Album chart. The album was filled with songs that pushed Guns into a different direction, it was far away from the Appetite era and contained more “epic” tracks featuring Pianos, Brass sections, various effects and a new member to the band Dizzy Reed (Keyboard). Critics were a bit confused expecting 35 or so hard rock songs from one of the best bands in the world to hear around 17 or so rockers and many piano filled songs. The main vibe was that instead of releasing two albums that were a bit filler at times they could have released one CD and it could very well have been the greatest rock album of all time. Around this time Izzy Stradlin left the band saying that he felt the Guns N’ Roses were not Guns N’ Roses anymore.
When Guns N’ Roses ruled the world they were the most hostile band around. While doing a stadium tour with Metallica in Montreal, Metallica’s frontman James Hetfield sustained second degree burns after an accident on stage. Hetfield had to go to the hospital and Guns N’ Roses came on early to cover for Metallica. Not long into the set, Axl Rose threw his microphone to the ground and stormed off stage taking the rest of the band with him. The P.A. system had been acting up and the band could not hear themselves playing. This led to one of the largest riots in musical history, with riot squads called in and cars overturned. Another Incident took place in St Louis, a fan was taking footage of the band performing and Axl spotted the guy and asked security to take him away, the security refused so Axl jumped into the crowd and smacked the guy to floor and took his camera. He got back up to the stage and walked off causing one of the biggest riots in rock n roll history.

After dealing with acts like this from Axl for a long time the band parted ways.
Sole original member Axl Rose (vocalist) retreated into solitude around 1997 to record the long-awaited LP Chinese Democracy, the so-called “most expensive album never made.”

As of 2008, Guns N Roses are: Thomas Eugene Stinson (Bass) Robin Finck (Lead Guitar) Richard Fortus (Rhythm Guitar) Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Virtuoso Guitar) W. Axl Rose (Lead Vocals) Chris Pitman (Synth) Bryan “Brain” Mantia (Drums) Frank Ferrer (Drums, touring replacement) and Darren “Dizzy” Reed (Keyboard and Congas).
The band toured extensively in 2006/07, playing to over 750 000 people in over 23 countries.

Chinese Democracy had been given the tentative release date of March 6th, then reported September 17, 2007. However both dates passed with no sign of the album. Further release dates of February 11, 2008 and February 12, 2008 were set by HMV and Amazon, and now stand at August 25th, 2008. Acording to the official website the band is “in negotiations for the release of Chinese Democracy”, as of the 20th of April 2008.

Many of the other members of Guns N’ Roses (Slash, Duff McKagan & Matt Sorum) now play together in the hard-rock band Velvet Revolver with ex-Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland and Dave Kushner. However, Izzy Stradlin, original GN’R rhythm guitarist and co-composer of many of the band’s most successful songs, has not joined them. He did however play a few dates with the new line-up of Guns N’ Roses in the summer of 2006, as a guest. Keyboard player Dizzy Reed, while not a founding member of the band (joining in 1990 in the Use Your Illusion period), remains with Guns N’ Roses in their current incarnation.

Members
(March 1985-May 1985)
* Axl Rose - vocals
* Tracii Guns - lead guitar
* Izzy Stradlin - rhythm guitar
* Ole Beich - bass
* Rob Gardner - drums

(June 6, 1985-1990)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals
* Slash - guitar
* Izzy Stradlin - guitar, backing vocals
* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals
* Steven Adler - drums

(1990)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals
* Slash - lead guitar
* Izzy Stradlin - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals
* Matt Sorum - drums

(1990-November 7, 1991)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Slash - guitar
* Izzy Stradlin - guitar, vocals
* Dizzy Reed - piano, keyboards, vocals
* Duff McKagan - bass, vocals
* Matt Sorum - drums

(November 7, 1991-1994)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Slash - guitar
* Gilby Clarke - guitar, vocals
* Dizzy Reed - keyboards, vocals
* Duff McKagan - bass, vocals
* Matt Sorum - drums

(1994-October 30, 1996)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Slash - guitar
* Paul Tobias - guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - piano, keyboards, backing vocals
* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals
* Matt Sorum - drums

(October 30, 1996-1997)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Paul Tobias - guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - piano, keyboards, backing vocals
* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals
* Matt Sorum - drums

(1997-1998)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Robin Finck - guitar
* Paul Tobias - guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - piano, keyboards, backing vocals
* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals
* Josh Freese - drums

(1998-1999)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Robin Finck - guitar
* Paul Tobias - guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - keyboards, backing vocals
* Chris Pitman - keyboards, programming
* Tommy Stinson - bass, backing vocals
* Josh Freese - drums

(1999-2000)
* Axl Rose - vocals, piano
* Buckethead - guitar
* Paul Tobias - guitar, vocals
* Dizzy Reed - keyboards, vocals
* Chris Pitman - keyboards, programming
* Tommy Stinson - bass, vocals
* Josh Freese - drums

(2000-2002)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Robin Finck - lead guitar
* Buckethead - lead guitar
* Paul Tobias - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - keyboards, backing vocals
* Chris Pitman - keyboards, programming
* Tommy Stinson - bass, backing vocals
* Bryan Mantia - drums

(2002-2004)
* Axl Rose - vocals, piano
* Robin Finck - lead guitar
* Buckethead - lead guitar
* Richard Fortus - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - keyboards, backing vocals
* Chris Pitman - keyboards, programming
* Tommy Stinson - bass, backing vocals
* Bryan Mantia - drums

(2004-2006)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Robin Finck - lead guitar
* Richard Fortus - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - keyboards, backing vocals
* Chris Pitman - keyboards, programming
* Tommy Stinson - bass, backing vocals
* Bryan Mantia - drums

(2006-present)
* Axl Rose - lead vocals, piano
* Robin Finck - lead guitar
* Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal - lead guitar
* Richard Fortus - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* Dizzy Reed - keyboards, backing vocals
* Chris Pitman - keyboards, programming
* Tommy Stinson - bass, backing vocals
* Bryan Mantia - drums
* Frank Ferrer - drums

Discography
* Appetite for Destruction (1987) #1 US Billboard, 15x Platinum
* G N’ R Lies (1988) #2 US Billboard, 5x Platinum
* Use Your Illusion I (1991) #2 US Billboard, 7x Platinum
* Use Your Illusion II (1991) #1 US Billboard, 7x Platinum
* The Spaghetti Incident? (1993) #4 US Billboard, Platinum
* Live Era: ‘87-‘93 (1999) #45 US Billboard, Gold
* Greatest Hits (2004) #3 US Billboard, 3x Platinum

Downloads
Don't Cry Estranged

Damn Yankees

Overview
The Band was formed in 1989, consisting of Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Ted Nugent of Amboy Dukes and his own solo career, and Michael Cartellone. Presumably inspired by the musical of the same name, Nugent once also explained that he coined the name because whenever someone asked him how he and Tommy Shaw would sound playing together, he would always reply by saying they would sound like “a bunch of damn Yankees.”

With Shaw from Alabama, Blades from California, Cartellone from Nebraska, and Nugent from Michigan, it did seem as if the band represented all four corners of the nation. Produced by renowned rock producer Ron Nevison, the new band’s self-titled debut album went double-platinum in 1990. Ted Nugent's well-tooled heavy blues guitar became a cornerstone, but Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw rose to the forefront as a potent vocal duo. However, it must be noted that the album’s bass and drum tracks were all but inaudible; Cartellone especially seems reticent in the mix. Jack Blades’s leading single "Coming of Age," hit #64, while Tommy Shaw’s "Come Again" received extensive AOR airplay. 1990's chart-topping rock ballad "High Enough" featured a passionate duet between Shaw and Blades, backed by a string section in the studio. Backed by a popular video, it rose to #3 on U.S. Top 40, and #1 on AOR charts.

Ironically, "High Enough" happened to be the first #1 pop single in Ted Nugent’s career, despite the fact his career had been built on his "Motor City Madman" image. In fact, Damn Yankees seemed to be following a similar course pursued by Jack Blades’s prior band, Night Ranger, developing an overall hard rock sound in the studio, but relying heavily on power ballads to sell their albums.

Furthermore, their songs appeared on several Hollywood film soundtracks, such as Gremlins 2: The New Batch, John Candy’s comedic vehicle, Nothing But Trouble and the 1991 action movie The Taking of Beverly Hills. After the release of their debut, the Damn Yankees went on a year-and-a-half world tour with the likes of a revamped Bad Company, Poison and Jackyl. Their U.S. tour coincided with the Persian Gulf War, in which the band unfurled American flags and made patriotic statements. However, Nugent’s onstage archery stunts became a matter of controversy when he was arrested and fined after firing a burning arrow into an effigy of Saddam Hussein in Colorado. In 1992, Damn Yankees once again went platinum with their follow-up album Don’t Tread. The title song (sung by Jack Blades) enjoyed extensive coverage at the Barcelona Olympic Games. Ted Nugent also appeared on Rock the Vote, voicing support for the GOP against Bill Clinton. Although the second release was not as successful as the first album, it contained a few minor hits, such as "Mister Please," "Where You Goin’ Now," and "The Silence Is Broken," a Top-10 AOR power ballad featured on the 1993 Jean-Claude Van Damme film Nowhere to Run. As the band began working on a third album, Damon Johnson of Brother Cane was added as another guitarist. The move was necessary due Shaw's participation in Styx. If Shaw was unavailable Johnson would fill in as second guitarist. There was also talk that all three guitarists would play together when Shaw was available. Rumor has it that an album was completed and submitted to the label for approval. As the third release never saw the light of day, one can only speculate as to the reasoning behind the label's decision.

Members
* Tommy Shaw - rhythm & lead guitars, lead vocals, backing vocals \
* Jack Blades - bass, lead vocals, backing vocals
* Ted Nugent - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals
* Michael Cartellone - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Singles
* "High Enough" - (1990 - #2 Mainstream Rock Chart, #3 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Coming Of Age" - (1990 - #1 Mainstream Rock Chart, #60 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Come Again" - (1991 - #5 Mainstream Rock Chart, #50 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Runaway" - (1991 - #9 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Bad Reputation" - (1991 - #31 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Where You Goin' Now" - (1992 - #6 Mainstream Rock Chart, #20 Billboard Hot 100)
* "Don't Tread On Me" - (1992 - #3 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Silence Is Broken" - (1993 - #20 Mainstream Rock Chart)
* "Mister Please" - (1993 - #3 Mainstream Rock Chart)

Downloads
Where You Goin' Now High Enough

MR. BIG

Overview

Mr. Big combined two popular musical trends of the rock scene in the 1980s: a particular brand of hard rock, focused on melodies and listener-friendly choruses, and impressive technical proficiency, then called shredding. The seeds for the group were sown when bass player Billy Sheehan (bass guitarist for guitarist Steve Vai) left David Lee Roth's solo band (also with Vai) in 1988. Almost immediately after his exit, Sheehan began piecing together a new outfit, with the help of Mike Varney from Shrapnel Records, a label specialized in the shredding genre. However, what Sheehan did not know was that he was about to form one of the most revered "supergroups" to come out of America.

The band, now managed by former Journey and Santana manager Herbie Herbert composed of Shrapnel artist and former Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert, Pat Torpey on drums, and singer Eric Martin, who had a number of album releases throughout the 1980s with his Eric Martin Band. By 1989, the newly formed quartet had already inked a recording contract with Atlantic, resulting in the release of a self-titled debut the same year. Despite causing a buzz amongst musicians, the album failed to crossover to a mainstream rock audience stateside; however, Mr. Big was an immediate smash success overseas in Japan.

The band's breakthrough came with their second album, Lean Into It, in 1991. It featured two ballads that established the band as a commercial success: "To Be With You" and "Just Take My Heart", as well as rock songs that remained as staples of their live set for years to come, such as "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind". Other releases followed, Bump Ahead in 1993 and Hey Man in 1996, but the band never replicated its earlier success in the US market. The song, "Take Cover," was included on the "Official MegaMan Soundtrack," released in 1995. In Japan, on the other hand, they continued to sell out tours, resulting in a number of live releases for the Japanese market throughout their career (from Raw Like Sushi in 1990 to Mr. Big In Japan in 2002).

Paul Gilbert left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career and eventually reform Racer X. Richie Kotzen, another Shrapnel artist and former guitarist for Poison, was brought in to take on guitar duties, also contributing occasional vocals. Two studio albums were released by this lineup: Get Over It in 2000 and Actual Size in 2001, which featured the single "Shine", used as the ending theme in the animation series of Hellsing.

Tensions in the band led to their demise -- contractual obligations for yet another Japanese tour were fulfilled in the form of a "farewell tour". The multi-million record-selling band broke up in 2002, many years since their last US hit, but while still enjoying great popularity in Japan. All of the former members have gone on to other projects in the music industry.

The band also contributed the soundtrack to the 1993 Sega Mega CD release of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.

On May 7, 2008, a MR. BIG "almost-reunion" took place at guitarist Paul Gilbert's solo show at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. Paul invited his former MR. BIG bandmates Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey, along with fellow ex-MR. BIG guitarist Richie Kotzen (he joined the band as Paul's replacement) to his stage and they played two songs: "30 Days in the Hole" (Humble Pie/with Kotzen on vocals), and "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy" (with Gilbert and Mike Szuter from Paul's band on vocals).

Members
* Eric Martin - lead vocals (1988-2002)
* Pat Torpey - drums, percussion (1988-2002)
* Billy Sheehan - bass guitar (1988-2002)
* Paul Gilbert - guitar (1988-1997)
* Richie Kotzen - guitar (1999-2002)

Discography

Studio albums
* Mr. Big (1989) (The Billboard 200 #46)
* Lean Into It (1991) (The Billboard 200 #15, US - Platinum)
* Bump Ahead (1993) (The Billboard 200 #82)
* Hey Man (1996)
* Get Over It (2000)
* Actual Size (2001)

Live albums
* Raw Like Sushi (1990)
* Mr. Big Live (Live in San Francisco) (1992)
* Raw Like Sushi II (1992)
* Japandemonium: Raw Like Sushi 3 (1994)
* Channel V at the Hard Rock Live (1996)
* Live at Budokan (1997)
* In Japan (2002)

Singles
* Addicted to That Rush (1989) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #39)
* Green-Tinted Sixties Mind (1991) (Mainstream Rock Tracks #33)
* To Be With You (1992) (The Billboard Hot 100 #1 (3 weeks), Mainstream Rock Tracks #19, Adult Contemporary #11)
* Just Take My Heart (1992) (The Billboard Hot 100 #16, Mainstream Rock Tracks #18)
* Wild World (1993) (The Billboard Hot 100 #27, Mainstream Rock Tracks #33, Top 40 Mainstream #12)
* Ain't Seen Love Like That (1994) (The Billboard Hot 100 #83)
* Take Cover (1996)
* Not One Night (1997)
* Superfantastic (2000)
* Static (2000)
* Where Are They Now (2000)
* Shine (2001)
* Arrow (2001)

Compilations
* Big Bigger Biggest: Greatest Hits (1996)
* Deep Cuts (2000)
* Greatest Hits (2004)

Downloads
Superfantastic My New Religion Promise Her The Moon