Long Way to Heaven
Encyclopedia
Long Way to Heaven is the fifth studio album by the Canadian heavy metal
band Helix
. This album was their third for Capitol Records
, and there were bigger expectations from the band after the success of the previous Walkin' the Razor's Edge
(featuring the hit "Rock You"). The first single was "Deep Cuts the Knife", a co-write between Paul Hackman
and Bob Halligan, Jr
. The song received heavy airplay in the U.S., gaining "double breaker" status, and in Canada was added to heavy video play on MuchMusic
. Q107 in Toronto
had the song riding at #1 for several weeks on their "Top Ten at Ten". Their first tour to kick off the album was in Sweden
where they became the first Canadian rock band ever to tour that country extensively. For this they achieved their first #1 album in that country.
Returning to North America, they toured with Accept and Keel
, as well as headlining dates. They also played odd one-off dates with Meat Loaf
and Heart
. While headlining in Newfoundland
, a local band called KAOS opened for Helix. This band featured Rainer and Cindy Wiechmann, who joined Helix 19 years later in 2004, on lead guitar and backup vocals respectively.
The second single released from the album was "The Kids Are all Shakin'", a song inspired by a fan letter from Poland. The album went platinum in Canada and they headlined their first Canadian tour with the Headpins
as the supporting act. The Long Way to Heaven album was released for the first time on CD in September, 1999.
compilation of 1999.
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...
band Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
. This album was their third for Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, and there were bigger expectations from the band after the success of the previous Walkin' the Razor's Edge
Walkin' the Razor's Edge
Walkin' the Razor's Edge was the fourth album by the Canadian heavy metal band Helix. It was released on the Capitol Records label in 1984.A music video was made for the Crazy Elephant cover "Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'"...
(featuring the hit "Rock You"). The first single was "Deep Cuts the Knife", a co-write between Paul Hackman
Paul Hackman
Paul Wayne Hackman was a Canadian guitarist who performed with the rock band Helix from 1976 until his death in a road accident...
and Bob Halligan, Jr
Bob Halligan, Jr
Bob Halligan, Jr. is the founder of and lead vocalist for the band Ceili Rain, which combines Celtic, rock and contemporary Christian music....
. The song received heavy airplay in the U.S., gaining "double breaker" status, and in Canada was added to heavy video play on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
. Q107 in Toronto
CILQ-FM
CILQ-FM is a radio station, broadcasting at 107.1 FM in Toronto, Ontario. The station broadcasts a classic rock format branded as Q107 and is also available through streaming audio....
had the song riding at #1 for several weeks on their "Top Ten at Ten". Their first tour to kick off the album was in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
where they became the first Canadian rock band ever to tour that country extensively. For this they achieved their first #1 album in that country.
Returning to North America, they toured with Accept and Keel
Keel (band)
Keel is an American heavy metal band founded in 1984 in Los Angeles, California. They were known for their rock anthem "The Right to Rock." The band was active until 1989, with a brief reunion in 1998. Keel reunited in 2008 and is currently touring for their 25th anniversary.-History:Keel was...
, as well as headlining dates. They also played odd one-off dates with Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
and Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
. While headlining in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, a local band called KAOS opened for Helix. This band featured Rainer and Cindy Wiechmann, who joined Helix 19 years later in 2004, on lead guitar and backup vocals respectively.
The second single released from the album was "The Kids Are all Shakin'", a song inspired by a fan letter from Poland. The album went platinum in Canada and they headlined their first Canadian tour with the Headpins
Headpins
Headpins are a Canadian rock group, founded as a side project in the late 1970s by then Chilliwack members Ab Bryant and Brian MacLeod. Macleod was impressed by the vocal talents of Vancouver rock singer Denise McCann, and asked her to join his new venture...
as the supporting act. The Long Way to Heaven album was released for the first time on CD in September, 1999.
Track listing
- The Kids Are All Shakin' - 3:48
- Deep Cuts the Knife - 4:01
- Ride the Rocket - 3:24
- Long Way to Heaven - 3:34
- House On Fire - 4:15
- Christine - 3:34
- Without You (Jasmine's Song) - 3:40
- School of Hard Knocks - 4:06
- Don't Touch the Merchandise - 2:47
- Bangin' Off-A-The Bricks - 3:15
Video Version
There was a remix made of "The Kids Are All Shakin'" which was used in the music video. The audio track was not available for purchase until the Helix Deep CutsDeep Cuts: the Best Of
Deep Cuts is a compilation album by the Canadian hard rock band Helix. It is their 12th official release, and their third compilation album...
compilation of 1999.
Personnel
- Brian VollmerBrian VollmerBrian Vollmer is the lead singer and only remaining original member of Canadian hard rock group Helix. Helix was formed in 1974 by original drummer Bruce Arnold. Since that time, Vollmer had gone from lead singer to defacto leader of band, weathering numerous lineup changes...
- vocals - Paul HackmanPaul HackmanPaul Wayne Hackman was a Canadian guitarist who performed with the rock band Helix from 1976 until his death in a road accident...
- guitar and vocals - Brent "The Doctor" Doerner - guitar and vocals
- Daryl Gray - bass and vocals
- Greg "Fritz" Hinz - drums
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | #29 |
| Billboard Hot 200 | #109 |
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Deep Cuts the Knife" | Mainstream Rock | #20 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | #66 | ||
| "The Kids Are All Shakin'" | #77 | ||