Back in 2003 I had a book published. The title, Born To Perform was given to me by one of my all time musical heroes Ken Hensley. The subject was given to me by years of admiration for one of rock’s most charismatic front men, David Byron, the original vocalist with Uriah Heep.
As part of my research for the book I contacted guitarist Robin George. He was kind enough to answer my questions, the answers to which revealed a great fondness for David, who had died in 1985.
During our contact Robin referred to some tapes he had of his time with The Byron Band. Several months later they were released as a two CD set entitled Lost And Found. This set has now been re-released on the Angel Air label.
Post-Heep, David Byron had formed a band called Rough Diamond along with former Wings drummer Geoff Britton, and Humble Pie guitarist Clem Clempson. After one self-titled album David left to embark on a solo career which produced two further albums Take No Prisoners and Baby Faced Killer.
He then teamed up with Robin to form The Byron Band who released the 1981 album On The Rocks. The tapes that form the set Lost And Found were recorded either side of that album between 1980 and 1982 . It features early studio versions of tracks that made the album and more written in anticipation of a second. The latter, of course, sadly failed to materialize.
The sessions feature not only the excellent guitar skills of Robin George but also world renowned bass player Pino Palladino. Other well known names such as saxophonist Mel Collins, keyboard player Bob Jackson, drummer John Shearer, and bassist Roger Flavelle also appear.
The first CD centers on the sessions from 1982 and includes the timeless melodic rock of “Bad Girl”, an infectiously funky “Learn The Dance”, “Fool For A Pretty Face”, “Need Love”, and “Gets A Little Crazy”. Perhaps the most outstanding example of David’s vocal ability arrives with the very last track on this section, the beautiful “One Minute More”.
Disc Two takes us back to the previous year and rehearsals in London. It is a session numbering six tracks that includes the gorgeous “Safety In Numbers”. Also appearing are two further early versions of tracks that would be on that year’s album On The Rocks, “How Do You Sleep?”, and the sax soaked rocker “Piece Of My Love."
Article comments
1 - Jeff
Dear all, Take No Prisoners was actually recorded when David Byron was still in Heep, thanks to my good friends in Holland for reminding me. Time plays tricks I'm afraid !!
2 - George Parrish
This sounds like something I would like. I loved they way Dave Byron sung when he was in Uriah Heep. After David Byron left the group, I stopped listening to them because it just wasn't the same to me anymore.....