David Byron

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David Byron
Birth name	David Garrick
Born	29 January 1947 (1947-01-29)
Origin	Epping, Essex, England
Died	28 February 1985 (aged 38)
Genre(s)	Rock , Hard rock, Progressive rock, Heavy Metal
Instrument(s)	vocals
Website	david-byron.com

David Byron (born 29 January 1947 – 28 February 1985, born as David Garrick^[1]) was the original lead vocalist for Spice (from 1967 through 1969) and is most famous for singing in the legendary English rock band Uriah Heep between 1969 and 1976.

Contents 1 Background 2 Discography 2.1 With Uriah Heep 2.2 Solo 2.3 With Rough Diamond 2.4 With The Byron Band 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Background

Despite his vocal range (paired with a sense of dynamics), and a charismatic stage presence, Byron was dismissed from Uriah Heep in 1976, at the demand of keyboardist Ken Hensley (the band's primary songwriter), who gave the ultimatum "it's him or me" to band manager Gerry Bron, citing Byron's increasingly erratic behaviour due to alcohol abuse.^{[citation needed]}

He unsuccessfully attempted to revive his career with Rough Diamond (a band also featuring former members of Humble Pie and Wings), a second solo album (Baby Faced Killer), and The Byron Band. Mick Box and Trevor Bolder of Uriah Heep invited Byron to re-join the band in 1980, but Byron refused. He died of alcohol related complications in 1985. The coroner's report cited epilepsy and fatty liver.

[edit] Discography

[edit] With Uriah Heep

• Very 'eavy... Very 'umble (1970)
• Salisbury (1971)
• Look at Yourself (1971)
• Demons & Wizards (1972)
• The Magician's Birthday (1972)
• Uriah Heep Live (1973)
• Sweet Freedom (1973)
• Wonderworld (1974)
• Return To Fantasy (1975)
• High and Mighty (1976)

[edit] Solo

• Take No Prisoners - 1975
• Baby Faced Killer - 1978
• That Was Only Yesterday - The Last EP - Recorded 1984, released 2008

[edit] With Rough Diamond

• Rough Diamond - 1977

[edit] With The Byron Band

• On The Rocks - 1981
• Lost And Found - Recorded 1980-82, released 2003

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• David Byron official tribute website
• Uriah Heep official website
• Official website for pre-1986 Uriah Heep
• Official US Uriah Heep fan website
• David Byron at Allmusic

v • d • e Uriah Heep Bernie Shaw • Mick Box • Trevor Bolder • Phil Lanzon • Russell Gilbrook Ken Hensley • David Byron • Gary Thain • Lee Kerslake • John Lawton • John Wetton • Paul Newton • Ian Clarke • Keith Baker • Peter Goalby • John Sloman • Bob Daisley • John Sinclair • Gregg Dechert • Chris Slade • Mark Clarke • Nigel Olsson • Alex Napier • Steff Fontaine Studio albums Very 'eavy... Very 'umble • Salisbury • Look at Yourself • Demons & Wizards • The Magician's Birthday • Sweet Freedom • Wonderworld • Return to Fantasy • High and Mighty • Firefly • Innocent Victim • Fallen Angel • Conquest • Abominog • Head First • Equator • Raging Silence • Different World • Sea of Light • Sonic Origami • Wake the Sleeper Live albums Uriah Heep Live • Live at Shepperton '74 • Live in Europe 1979 • Live in Moscow • Spellbinder Live • King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents In Concert • Future Echoes Of The Past • Acoustically Driven • Electrically Driven • The Magician's Birthday Party • Live in the USA • Magic Night • Between Two Worlds Compilations Anthology • Lady in Black • The Lansdowne Tapes • A Time of Revelation • Uriah Heep: The Collection • Remasters: The Official Anthology • 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Uriah Heep • Rainbow Demon: Live & in the Studio 1994-1998 • Chapter & Verse • Very Best of Uriah Heep • Easy Livin': Singles A's & B's • Loud, Proud & Heavy: The Very Best of Uriah Heep Songs "The Wizard" • "Sweet Lorraine" • "Stealin'" • "Lady in Black" • "The Magician's Birthday" • "July Morning" Related articles Discography • The Gods • Spice • Toe Fat • Colin Wood