Britny Fox
Encyclopedia
Britny Fox was an American
Glam metal
band from the Philadelphia area, initially active from 1985 to 1992 then subsequently reforming in 2000. They are best known for their music video for "Girlschool" and their hit "Long Way to Love" (U.S. #100).
. The band also featured Billy Childs on bass, former Cinderella
guitarist Michael Kelly Smith
on lead guitar and former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra
on drums. The idea for the band's name was inspired by Davidson, who named the band in honor of a Welsh ancestor. They were described on one of their best hits albums as "trashy Victorian glam", and sported an attitude only rivaled by AC/DC
.
Thanks to their connections to Cinderella
, the band was able to secure a major recording contract. However, just as things were beginning to look bright for the band, they soon dimmed. Tony Destra
was killed in a car accident. Facing a tour, the band recruited drummer, John Diteodoro (Johnny Dee), who had been the drummer for the band Waysted
.
The band released a demo in 1986 titled In America, which drummer Tony Destra
played on, and a demo in 1987 titled Rock Is Gonna Fight, which drummer Adam West played on. The band's self-titled debut album
, released in 1988, was one of the most successful premieres of the 1988–89 season, selling more than one million copies and bringing more than 625,000 fans to their 130+ shows. They also won Metal Edge Magazine's 1988 Reader's Choice Award for Best New Band. After the release of the band's second album in 1989, Boys in Heat
, Davidson departed, and formed the band Blackeyed Susan. He was replaced by Las Vegas
native Tommy Paris aka Don Jillson formerly of the band Jillson. Ozzy Osbourne
guitarist Zakk Wylde
and Poison
drummer Rikki Rockett
guested on the band's third album, Bite Down Hard
, which was released in 1991. However, the popularity of glam metal was on a decline around the time of the album's release due to the rising popularity of the alternative rock
/grunge
movement. Britny Fox disbanded in 1992 for various reasons.
Michael Kelly Smith
was previously in an early version of fellow Philadelphia band Cinderella
until his dismissal, and later Tony Destra
also played with them.
Drummer Adam West, formerly of Tangier
, played for Britny Fox briefly between the time of Tony Destra
and Johnny Dee.
Britny Fox reunited in 2000 with the same line-up before their disbandment, and released a fourth studio album, Springhead Motorshark, in 2003. The band toured the US and Europe in 2007 and 2008. Guitarist Tommy Krash and former White Lion
drummer Greg D'Angelo
was supposed to join at that time, but he broke his foot during rehearsal and was replaced with Henry Now.
As of 2007, Britny Fox reformed under original bassist Billy Childs. The other current and former members are lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jamie Fletcher, lead guitarist Greg Polcari, and drummer Henry Now.
Bassist Billy Childs had a minor but billed role in the horror film Incest Death Squad (2009). Childs is currently playing bass in the North American Led Zeppelin tribute band Get The Led Out, "The American Led Zeppelin".
In 2010, "Dizzy" Dean Davidson
unsuccessfully attempted to reunite the surviving members of the original line-up.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band from the Philadelphia area, initially active from 1985 to 1992 then subsequently reforming in 2000. They are best known for their music video for "Girlschool" and their hit "Long Way to Love" (U.S. #100).
History
Britny Fox formed in 1985 in Philadelphia. The band was originally fronted by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist "Dizzy" Dean DavidsonDean Davidson
"Dizzy" Dean Davidson is an American singer, guitarist, and drummer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a founding member of the glam metal band Britny Fox; as of 2010 he has rejoined the band, according to postings on his Facebook page...
. The band also featured Billy Childs on bass, former Cinderella
Cinderella (band)
Cinderella is an American heavy metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums and hit singles whose music videos received heavy MTV rotation. They were famous for being a glam metal band, but then shifted over towards a more hard...
guitarist Michael Kelly Smith
Michael Smerick
Michael Smerick , known professionally as Michael Kelly Smith, is an American guitarist who formerly played for the Glam metal band Cinderella. Following his departure from Cinderella, he joined up with Dean Davidson to form Britny Fox and became their Lead guitarist...
on lead guitar and former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra
Tony Destra
Tony Destra , was an American drummer who played for the glam metal bands Cinderella and Britny Fox. Before Cinderella or Britny Fox, Tony was the skinsman for another popular Philly area band called Enforcer. The singer for Enforcer was Bill Mattson who would gain later recognition as the frontman...
on drums. The idea for the band's name was inspired by Davidson, who named the band in honor of a Welsh ancestor. They were described on one of their best hits albums as "trashy Victorian glam", and sported an attitude only rivaled by AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
.
Thanks to their connections to Cinderella
Cinderella (band)
Cinderella is an American heavy metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums and hit singles whose music videos received heavy MTV rotation. They were famous for being a glam metal band, but then shifted over towards a more hard...
, the band was able to secure a major recording contract. However, just as things were beginning to look bright for the band, they soon dimmed. Tony Destra
Tony Destra
Tony Destra , was an American drummer who played for the glam metal bands Cinderella and Britny Fox. Before Cinderella or Britny Fox, Tony was the skinsman for another popular Philly area band called Enforcer. The singer for Enforcer was Bill Mattson who would gain later recognition as the frontman...
was killed in a car accident. Facing a tour, the band recruited drummer, John Diteodoro (Johnny Dee), who had been the drummer for the band Waysted
Waysted
Waysted are a heavy metal band formed by UFO bassist Pete Way and Scottish rocker Fin Muir in 1983. Recruiting Frank Noon , Ronnie Kayfield and Paul Raymond, Waysted signed to Chrysalis Records and released Vices in 1983....
.
The band released a demo in 1986 titled In America, which drummer Tony Destra
Tony Destra
Tony Destra , was an American drummer who played for the glam metal bands Cinderella and Britny Fox. Before Cinderella or Britny Fox, Tony was the skinsman for another popular Philly area band called Enforcer. The singer for Enforcer was Bill Mattson who would gain later recognition as the frontman...
played on, and a demo in 1987 titled Rock Is Gonna Fight, which drummer Adam West played on. The band's self-titled debut album
Britny Fox (album)
- Track listing :All songs by Dean Davidson except when noted.# "Girlschool" - 4:39# "Long Way to Love" - 4:54# "Kick 'n' Fight" - 3:37# "Save the Weak" - 5:30# "Fun in Texas" - 4:27# "Rock Revolution" - 4:40# "Don't Hide" - 4:50...
, released in 1988, was one of the most successful premieres of the 1988–89 season, selling more than one million copies and bringing more than 625,000 fans to their 130+ shows. They also won Metal Edge Magazine's 1988 Reader's Choice Award for Best New Band. After the release of the band's second album in 1989, Boys in Heat
Boys in Heat
Boys in Heat is the second album by the band Britny Fox. After this album, singer "Dizzy" Dean Davidson left the group and formed the band Blackeyed Susan. He was replaced in Britny Fox by singer Tommy Paris...
, Davidson departed, and formed the band Blackeyed Susan. He was replaced by Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
native Tommy Paris aka Don Jillson formerly of the band Jillson. Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
guitarist Zakk Wylde
Zakk Wylde
Zachary Phillip Wylde , best known by the stage name Zakk Wylde, is an American musician, songwriter, and occasional actor who is best known as the former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory,...
and Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
drummer Rikki Rockett
Rikki Rockett
Richard Allan Ream , better known by the stage name Rikki Rockett, is an American drummer best known for his work with the glam metal band, Poison.-Biography:...
guested on the band's third album, Bite Down Hard
Bite Down Hard
Bite Down Hard is the first Britny Fox album to feature singer Tommy Paris. It also features guest appearances by then Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett.-Track listing:...
, which was released in 1991. However, the popularity of glam metal was on a decline around the time of the album's release due to the rising popularity of the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
/grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
movement. Britny Fox disbanded in 1992 for various reasons.
Michael Kelly Smith
Michael Smerick
Michael Smerick , known professionally as Michael Kelly Smith, is an American guitarist who formerly played for the Glam metal band Cinderella. Following his departure from Cinderella, he joined up with Dean Davidson to form Britny Fox and became their Lead guitarist...
was previously in an early version of fellow Philadelphia band Cinderella
Cinderella (band)
Cinderella is an American heavy metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums and hit singles whose music videos received heavy MTV rotation. They were famous for being a glam metal band, but then shifted over towards a more hard...
until his dismissal, and later Tony Destra
Tony Destra
Tony Destra , was an American drummer who played for the glam metal bands Cinderella and Britny Fox. Before Cinderella or Britny Fox, Tony was the skinsman for another popular Philly area band called Enforcer. The singer for Enforcer was Bill Mattson who would gain later recognition as the frontman...
also played with them.
Drummer Adam West, formerly of Tangier
Tangier (band)
Tangier was a popular Philadelphia-based American rock band active in the late 1980s and early 90s. The band released one, self titled independent album on Wolfe Records.-Biography:...
, played for Britny Fox briefly between the time of Tony Destra
Tony Destra
Tony Destra , was an American drummer who played for the glam metal bands Cinderella and Britny Fox. Before Cinderella or Britny Fox, Tony was the skinsman for another popular Philly area band called Enforcer. The singer for Enforcer was Bill Mattson who would gain later recognition as the frontman...
and Johnny Dee.
Britny Fox reunited in 2000 with the same line-up before their disbandment, and released a fourth studio album, Springhead Motorshark, in 2003. The band toured the US and Europe in 2007 and 2008. Guitarist Tommy Krash and former White Lion
White Lion
White Lion is an American/Danish hard rock/heavy metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, the band achieved double platinum status with their #8 hit "Wait" and #3 hit "When the...
drummer Greg D'Angelo
Greg D'Angelo
Greg D’Angelo, is a drummer most famous for his work in the American band White Lion.-Early career :...
was supposed to join at that time, but he broke his foot during rehearsal and was replaced with Henry Now.
As of 2007, Britny Fox reformed under original bassist Billy Childs. The other current and former members are lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jamie Fletcher, lead guitarist Greg Polcari, and drummer Henry Now.
Bassist Billy Childs had a minor but billed role in the horror film Incest Death Squad (2009). Childs is currently playing bass in the North American Led Zeppelin tribute band Get The Led Out, "The American Led Zeppelin".
In 2010, "Dizzy" Dean Davidson
Dean Davidson
"Dizzy" Dean Davidson is an American singer, guitarist, and drummer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a founding member of the glam metal band Britny Fox; as of 2010 he has rejoined the band, according to postings on his Facebook page...
unsuccessfully attempted to reunite the surviving members of the original line-up.
Lineups
| (1985–1987) |
|
|---|---|
| (1987) |
|
| (1987–1989) |
|
| (1990–1992), (2001–2006) |
|
| (2006–2007) |
Greg D'Angelo Greg D’Angelo, is a drummer most famous for his work in the American band White Lion.-Early career :... – drums, percussion, backing vocals |
| (2007) |
|
| (2008–2009) |
|
Past members
- Dean DavidsonDean Davidson"Dizzy" Dean Davidson is an American singer, guitarist, and drummer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a founding member of the glam metal band Britny Fox; as of 2010 he has rejoined the band, according to postings on his Facebook page...
- Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar - Michael Kelly Smith - Lead Guitar & Vocals
- Billy Childs - Bass Guitar & Vocals
- Johnny Dee - Drums
- Tommy Paris - Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
- Tony DestraTony DestraTony Destra , was an American drummer who played for the glam metal bands Cinderella and Britny Fox. Before Cinderella or Britny Fox, Tony was the skinsman for another popular Philly area band called Enforcer. The singer for Enforcer was Bill Mattson who would gain later recognition as the frontman...
- Drums - Adam West - Drums
- Greg D'AngeloGreg D'AngeloGreg D’Angelo, is a drummer most famous for his work in the American band White Lion.-Early career :...
- Drums - Tommy Krash - Lead Guitar & Vocals
- Henry Now - Drums
- Jamie Fletcher - Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
- Greg Polcari - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Studio albums
| Year | Album | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
RIAA Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Britny Fox Britny Fox (album) - Track listing :All songs by Dean Davidson except when noted.# "Girlschool" - 4:39# "Long Way to Love" - 4:54# "Kick 'n' Fight" - 3:37# "Save the Weak" - 5:30# "Fun in Texas" - 4:27# "Rock Revolution" - 4:40# "Don't Hide" - 4:50... |
39 | Gold | CBS |
| 1989 | Boys in Heat Boys in Heat Boys in Heat is the second album by the band Britny Fox. After this album, singer "Dizzy" Dean Davidson left the group and formed the band Blackeyed Susan. He was replaced in Britny Fox by singer Tommy Paris... |
79 | - | CBS |
| 1991 | Bite Down Hard Bite Down Hard Bite Down Hard is the first Britny Fox album to feature singer Tommy Paris. It also features guest appearances by then Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett.-Track listing:... |
- | - | EastWest |
| 2003 | Springhead Motorshark | - | - | Spitfire |
Live albums
- Long Way to Live! (2001)
- Live at Froggy's (2002)
- Extended Versions (2006)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Main Rock | UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
||
| 1988 | "Long Way to Love" | 100 | 33 | - |
| 1989 | "Girlschool" | 81 | - | - |
| "Save the Weak" | - | - | - | |
| 1990 | "Dream On" | - | 34 | - |
| 1991 | "Louder" | - | - | - |
Demos
- In America (1986)
- Rock Is Gonna Fight (1987)
- The Bite Down Hard Demo Sessions (2003)