Our early albums had our collective toes firmly in prog rock, and we are seen as one of the pioneers of that genre. What’s more important: the longevity the band has had, or its legacy as one of the founders of the genre? We were part of the big four - Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Prog rock means a lot of things to a lot of people, but Heep is certainly one of the “Mount Rushmores” in the genre. Uriah Heep is known as one of the institutions in progressive rock, alongside Yes, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, etc. Our set list begins with a song from our first album “Very ‘Eavy, Very Umble,” right to the last one called ‘Outsider.’ It is a musical journey through our career. Ticket sales are more than healthy, and the band is on fire. We have started in Ottawa with sell out shows and it looks like there is a buzz about the band seeping through to the rest of the tour. You just began an extensive North American tour. From any genre of music, it is always the songs that are remembered.Īll major iconic rock bands have had one thing in common in their respective careers: their willingness to hit the road and tour to build a base. It is always the same answer - good songs. What have been the keys to this longevity? Couple that with a reputation for being a good live band and the fact that we have the same passion and energy for our music that we have always had. What sets Uriah Heep apart from the others? We have been lucky enough over the years to have a number of songs that have stood the test of time that people still like to hear in the live arena. There are very few acts in any genre with that many years under their collective belts that can say they are still a viable entity. Uriah Heep has had an incredibly long run, nearing five decades now. ListenIowa caught up with Box for a brief email interview to discuss the band’s place in the prog rock pantheon, the evolution of the music industry, and the secret to longevity. Guitarist and founder Mick Box has once again teamed with long-time bandmates Phil Lanzon (keyboards, vocals) and Bernie Shaw (vocals) as well as Russell Gilbrook (drums, vocals) and Davey Rimmer (bass) to bring Uriah Heep back into the spotlight with the new tour and album, the band’s 25th of its career. In their nearly five-decades-long career, Uriah Heep has sold 45 million records worldwide and performed more than 4,000 shows in 60 countries while delivering prog rock staples such as “Gypsy,” “Lady in Black,” “July Morning,” “The Wizard,” “Easy Livin,’” “Sweet Lorraine” and “Stealin.” THE BEST OF URIAH HEEP: THE MILLENIUM COLLECTIONĮLECTRICALLY DRIVEN (a.k.a.Uriah Heep, one of the few remaining original progressive hard rock bands still in existence, recently began an extensive North American Tour in advance of their forthcoming studio album, “Living The Dream.” The trek will include a stop at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines on March 14. STILL 'EAVY, STILL PROUD: TWO DECADES OF URIAH HEEPĬOME AWAY MELINDA: A COLLECTION OF CLASSIC URIAH HEEP BALLADS THE BEST OF URIAH HEEP (UK version) a.k.a. THE BEST OF URIAH HEEP VOLUME 2 (Canadian release) THE BEST OF URIAH HEEP (Canadian version) New releases followed infrequently in the '80s and '90s, with the usual assortment of lineup changes, aimed primarily at a core cult audience of international devotees. Uriah Heep's future seemed uncertain (when hadn't it?), but guitarist Mick Box and drummer Lee Kerslake revived the band's commercial fortunes with the heavy metal hit, Abominog. After Conquest, which featured yet another vocalist (John Sloman), Ken Hensley left the group. John Lawton (of Lucifer's Friend) was brought in, resulting in three albums of declining merit: Firefly, Innocent Victim and Fallen Angel. Although the band had weathered myriad lineup changes on a minor scale throughout their career, the departure of David Byron following High and Mighty was an unrecoverable loss. Their first six albums contained some great songs: "Gypsy," "Bird of Prey," "July Morning," "The Wizard," etc. In the first half of the '70s (or what could be called the band's "classic" period), Heep could be counted on to pummel its way through pomp rock for good and bad (oftentimes as though oblivious of the distinction). Much maligned purveyors of hard rock with a penchant for progressive rock's excess, Uriah Heep is the musical boxer who wouldn't go down.
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