Uriah Heep legend, MICK BOX, is now the only surviving member of the classic line-up of the band. Mick spoke to VRP Rocks and gave his thoughts about David Byron, Lee Kerslake and Ken Hensley.
Mick, David, Ken, Lee and Gary - the "magic 5" as far as I'm concerned. I always loved the way Mick's guitar sounded and how well it went with Ken's Hammond. Heep was my absolute favorite in those days.
Talked to Mick many years ago after their gig in Vienna. They were very generous and came outside and lined up. I asked Mick about Byron but he declined to answer. I also thanked Trevor for the great music he'd made with the spiders but he said wistfully that it seemed like a life-time ago. I later saw Trevor again on a flight from Manchester to Dusseldorf and he looked very different. I think the pancreatic cancer was the cause.
David Byron was the best hands down. I also loved John Lawton's work as well. In my opinion John and David were equally great but they were two completely different singers. If you're just beginning to go down the Heep rabbit hole, I'd suggest you check out Lucifer's Friend (Lawton) and Rough Diamond (Byron). The solo works of Byron and Hensley are great as well.
I love Uriah Heep i saw them 3 times live mick box one and only amazing guitar player genius some of Heep song like I won’t mind album wonder World the all crew David , Lee, Ken, Gary,Mick and Why album look at Yourself wow blow your mind You don’t hear music one of the kind What a show man David Byron all of them they well deserved to be Induct in the hall of fame god bless Mick keep rocking rock forever
David Byron was the absolute best male rock vocalist EVER. Byron, Hensley and Box were a lethal talent combo and the rest of the band members were just excellent. Come on now who can do better? He had more vocal presence, versatility and power than even other brilliant rock singers. I love that every number was absolutely unique. Can't stomach today's generic fluff.
So hard and subjective to name a best vocalist. But I agree whole heartedly that David Byron had the prettiest tone of any rock singer, full voice and falsetto. He also sang correctly from his diaphragm, never clenched his throat, even when doing a heavy Heep number. Moreover, he never really lost any of his range before his death. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when Ken Hensley would play one of his new songs for Byron to sing. Hensley and Byron sounded a lot alike actually, but Byron's voice was just a notch or two better.
@@plumpsterharris8125 Exactly... Gary was an absolute master of his instrument. He must have inspired countless bass players. He sadly passed away before his time, only 27.
@@dannymartinez9371I agree that they sounded alike. I seen a video of Ken doing an excellent acoustic version of The Wizard. When he kicked off it was like listening to David until the part of the song that hits the high notes....Ken didn't even try to get up there. That was the difference....David had more range especially at the top end.
@@MrPercussionPete Yes and Charlie Tumahai of Be Bop Deluxe was the other really good New Zealand bassist to infiltrate the British scene back in the day
Uriah Heep was the songs of my youth in the 1970's and the lyrics still apply today in my older age. They rocked and also provided wisdom with their lyrics. That wisdom still holds wisdom in 2023!
а почему журналюга не спросил о новозеландце ? ведь у Гари была сильная харизма или Обаяние и начало конца Юрай Хип началось с ухода Гари из коллектива
Se vc se refere a GaryThain, foi um grande baixista, só isso. O diferencial da Banda foi David Byron.Quando saiu , o UH se transformou e para pior. Mas a banda contou por uns anos com Ken Hensley. Hoje eu a considero The Box Band
Always one of my very favorite bands. Really good musicians, back in the day -all of them. Love Mick's guitar work, how about 'I won't mind'? So glad he seems to be doing well!
I was a huge Heep fan at the Byron days. After he left the band went in a total different direction. I kept buying the first records with John Lawton, and although he was a great singer, they lost me. I saw them on German tv where fat middle-aged women with thick glasses danced on their music, brrr... Now many years later... I saw them live a few years ago here the Netherlands in a small club and they played as if it was their last ever performance. Can't remember having seen a band play with that fanatisme. Especially for guys nearing in their seventies. But somehow they lost me. The old Heep fan feeling didn't return.
Seeing You with the band and Argent was superb Mick a few years ago, without David and Ken makes our oldies people enjoy it extra, life is too short, love you !
I never read what struck down Ken so quickly. It'd be (sadly) cool if Ken's estate or his wife could allow Heep to make a vid of "Suddenly" based on Ukraine, for charity, sort of like the vid (Freedom) the group Bonfire has done. I suppose that might PO some of Heep's Russian fans, but I'd like to believe most are decent people who at least can feel for the refugees, esp. the kids, who had to flee their country. Aside from that, great interview! I met Ken once, and was privileged to do him a modest favor, but always wanted to sit down and have a beer with Mick. He seems like such a good guy. I'm not much of a drinker, but I might in that instance make it two (beers)! 🙂
Hey @SpringIsBACK , I interviewed Ken's manager Steve Weltman who talked all about what happened with Ken and about the posthumous release of his album etc. Steve was also David Bowies manager back in the day so had some interesting stories all round. If you'd care to check it out you can listen on the podcast here: www.vintagerockpod.com/copy-of-ep19-damon-johnson-steve-we If you enjoyed this clip with Mick, the full interview can be seen on my youtube page here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BYmlMOkvSeU.html
As one of those adolescent American UH fans from the classic lineup years (early '70s), it's good to see and hear you Mick. UH was unique IMO. Great music from those years.
WOW, WHAT A GREAT BAND!! NO HEAVY ROCK BAND CAN COME CLOSE! GREAT VOICES AND GREAT PLAYERS!! HEEP has the most dedicated followers too.July Morning is the best rock song played live ever! There will always be a July Morning!!
Mick is one of those rare guys in rock people just don't have anything bad to say about. Ken Hensley was a monster on keyboards, one of the two guys who first made the organ sound truly badass, the other being (obviously) the late great John Lord.
hi Mick I'm sure you don't remember but years ago in Toledo Ohio I was a sixth grader on stage with you guys came out at the end of the show i asked you to play happy birthday for my big brother and that was the last song I seen you guys do live1973 thanks buddy awesome show!
As a wannabe singer, there are only 3 singers that are worth having as influences: David Byron, Frank Sinatra and Bob Seger….these are singers. Sure, there are other good singers, but these 3 are the elite
