Blue Murder
Encyclopedia
Blue Murder were an English
heavy metal band
, founded by ex-Whitesnake
and Thin Lizzy
guitarist John Sykes
.
signed a record deal with Sykes following his dismissal from the band.
In the nascent stages of the band, drummer Cozy Powell
(with whom Sykes had played in Whitesnake) was attached to the project. Ray Gillen
, who had previously sung for Black Sabbath
and later for Badlands
(not the same band Badlands (née John Sloman's Badlands) that Sykes once played in), sang for an early version of Blue Murder, and reportedly the band recorded demos with him.
Upon comparing the original demos with Sykes singing to the demos with Ray Gillen on vocals, A&R executive John Kalodner
encouraged Sykes to handle the vocal duties himself.
Blue Murder released two studio albums: Blue Murder
in 1989 and Nothin' but Trouble
in 1993. A live album, Screaming Blue Murder was released in Japan only in 1994, but has since been released elsewhere via iTunes.
The band was dropped by their label in the mid-90s, at which point Sykes (the only consistent member in the changing line-ups) recorded Out of My Tree
in 1995 with Blue Murder members Marco Mendoza
and Tommy O'Steen, effectively transforming Blue Murder into an "official" Sykes solo project.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
heavy metal band
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, founded by ex-Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
and Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
guitarist John Sykes
John Sykes
John James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career....
.
Background
Blue Murder was formed by John Sykes in 1988. As he was partially responsible for the success of their multiplatinum-selling self-titled album, Whitesnake's label GeffenGeffen
Geffen is a Hebrew surname, and may refer to:*Aviv Geffen , Israeli rock singer*David Geffen , American record executive, film producer and theatrical producer*Maxwell M Geffen , American editor and publisher from New York...
signed a record deal with Sykes following his dismissal from the band.
In the nascent stages of the band, drummer Cozy Powell
Cozy Powell
Colin Flooks , better known as Cozy Powell, was an English rock drummer who made his name with many major rock bands.-Early history:...
(with whom Sykes had played in Whitesnake) was attached to the project. Ray Gillen
Ray Gillen
Raymond A. "Ray" Gillen was an American rock singer, best known for his work with Badlands, in addition to his stint with Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s and recording most of the vocals on Phenomena's classic Dreamrunner album....
, who had previously sung for Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
and later for Badlands
Badlands (band)
Badlands was a short-lived rock band founded by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee and former Black Sabbath members Ray Gillen and Eric Singer. Badlands also featured bassist Greg Chaisson. After the first Badlands album, Eric Singer was replaced by Jeff Martin...
(not the same band Badlands (née John Sloman's Badlands) that Sykes once played in), sang for an early version of Blue Murder, and reportedly the band recorded demos with him.
Upon comparing the original demos with Sykes singing to the demos with Ray Gillen on vocals, A&R executive John Kalodner
John Kalodner
John David Kalodner is a retired American A&R executive. His achievements included signing Foreigner, AC/DC, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins to Atlantic Records in the seventies....
encouraged Sykes to handle the vocal duties himself.
Blue Murder released two studio albums: Blue Murder
Blue Murder (album)
Blue Murder is the debut album by the hard rock band Blue Murder, released in 1989.-Legacy:The back of the album states that it is dedicated to Phil Lynott...
in 1989 and Nothin' but Trouble
Nothin' But Trouble
- Track listing :All tracks by John Sykes except "Itchycoo Park" by Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott# "We All Fall Down" - 4:47# "Itchycoo Park" - 3:46 # "Cry for Love" - 6:57# "Runaway" - 5:58# "Dance" - 4:08# "I'm on Fire" - 4:45...
in 1993. A live album, Screaming Blue Murder was released in Japan only in 1994, but has since been released elsewhere via iTunes.
The band was dropped by their label in the mid-90s, at which point Sykes (the only consistent member in the changing line-ups) recorded Out of My Tree
Out of My Tree (album)
Out of My Tree is the first solo album by guitarist John Sykes, released under his name, in August 1995.-Track listing:#"Soul Stealer" - 3:38#"I Don't Wanna Live My Life Like You" - 3:11#"She's All Action" - 3:21#"Standing at the Crossroads" - 3:54...
in 1995 with Blue Murder members Marco Mendoza
Marco Mendoza
Marco Mendoza is an American musician. He spent his formative years living with his grandmother in Tijuana, Mexico. He started playing the guitar at an early age, adopting the bass when he was invited to join a band that needed a player....
and Tommy O'Steen, effectively transforming Blue Murder into an "official" Sykes solo project.
Band members
- John SykesJohn SykesJohn James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career....
- lead vocals, guitars (1988–1994) - Tony FranklinTony Franklin (musician)Anthony James "Tony" Franklin is an English rock musician, best known for his work on the fretless bass guitar with Roy Harper, The Firm, Jimmy Page, John Sykes' Blue Murder, Whitesnake and briefly, with Quiet Riot.-Fretless bass:...
- bass, backing vocals (1988–1992) - Carmine AppiceCarmine AppiceCarmine Appice is an American rock drummer of Italian background and is the older brother of drummer Vinny Appice by 12 years. He received a classical music training and was influenced by the jazz drumming of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa early on...
- drums, percussion, backing vocals (1988–1992) - Nik Green - keyboards (1988–1994)
- Marco MendozaMarco MendozaMarco Mendoza is an American musician. He spent his formative years living with his grandmother in Tijuana, Mexico. He started playing the guitar at an early age, adopting the bass when he was invited to join a band that needed a player....
- bass, backing vocals (1992–1994) - Tommy O'Steen - drums, percussion (1992–1994)
- Kelly KeelingKelly KeelingKelly Keeling is an American musician and songwriter. Keeling started playing at the age of 14 and first appeared on the music scene as the lead singer of the American heavy metal band Baton Rouge...
- lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1992–1993) - Ray GillenRay GillenRaymond A. "Ray" Gillen was an American rock singer, best known for his work with Badlands, in addition to his stint with Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s and recording most of the vocals on Phenomena's classic Dreamrunner album....
- lead vocals (1988) - Cozy PowellCozy PowellColin Flooks , better known as Cozy Powell, was an English rock drummer who made his name with many major rock bands.-Early history:...
- drums, percussion (1988)
Discography
- Blue MurderBlue Murder (album)Blue Murder is the debut album by the hard rock band Blue Murder, released in 1989.-Legacy:The back of the album states that it is dedicated to Phil Lynott...
(1989) - Nothin' but TroubleNothin' But Trouble- Track listing :All tracks by John Sykes except "Itchycoo Park" by Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott# "We All Fall Down" - 4:47# "Itchycoo Park" - 3:46 # "Cry for Love" - 6:57# "Runaway" - 5:58# "Dance" - 4:08# "I'm on Fire" - 4:45...
(1993) - Screaming Blue Murder: Dedicated to Phil Lynott (1994)