Rock City (Riot album)
Encyclopedia
Rock City is the name of the first studio album by New York City
based heavy metal
band Riot
released in November 1977.
It was first released independently by Fire Sign Records, run by the band's producers, Billy Arnell and Steve Loeb
, who also owned the Greene Street Recording Studio
, before the album was picked up for wider distribution by Canada's Attic Records
. Vinyl copies of Rock City can be differentiated by the color that frames the front cover artwork. The original Fire Sign pressing is framed in white; later editions are framed in black or lack this feature altogether.
American label Metal Blade Records
issued the album on CD in early 1993.
Rock City is the only Riot
album to feature writing contributions by original bassist Phil Feit who went on to join acts such as Billy Idol
, playing on his hits Hot In The City
,and White Wedding
, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Adam Bomb where he briefly crossed paths with another Riot
alum, drummer Sandy Slavin.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based heavy metal
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 Riot
Riot (band)
Riot is an American heavy metal band founded in New York City in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale. Reaching a peak in popularity in the early 80s, the band has continued a long-running successful career....
released in November 1977.
It was first released independently by Fire Sign Records, run by the band's producers, Billy Arnell and Steve Loeb
Steve Loeb
Steve Loeb is an American composer, music producer and the owner of Greene Street Recording which Loeb opened in 1976 at 112 Greene Street in New York's Soho...
, who also owned the Greene Street Recording Studio
Greene St. Recording
Greene St. Recording was a New York City recording studio, located at 112 Greene St. in SoHo. until its close in 2001. It was one of the early headquarters of hip-hop during the 1980s and 1990s....
, before the album was picked up for wider distribution by Canada's Attic Records
Attic Records
Attic Records may refer to:* Attic Records , Canadian rock label* ATIC Records, Manchester, United Kingdom electronic / Hip Hop label, founded by Aim in 2005...
. Vinyl copies of Rock City can be differentiated by the color that frames the front cover artwork. The original Fire Sign pressing is framed in white; later editions are framed in black or lack this feature altogether.
American label Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
issued the album on CD in early 1993.
Rock City is the only Riot
Riot (band)
Riot is an American heavy metal band founded in New York City in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale. Reaching a peak in popularity in the early 80s, the band has continued a long-running successful career....
album to feature writing contributions by original bassist Phil Feit who went on to join acts such as Billy Idol
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
, playing on his hits Hot In The City
Hot in the City
"Hot in the City" is a 1982 song by Billy Idol, released on his self-titled album. It charted at #23 in the U.S. and #58 in the UK. A re-release of the song in the UK in 1988 reached #13.-Music video:...
,and White Wedding
White wedding
A white wedding is a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding originating in Europe.The term originates from the white color of the wedding dress, which first became popular with Victorian era elites, after Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding; however, the term now also...
, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Adam Bomb where he briefly crossed paths with another Riot
Riot (band)
Riot is an American heavy metal band founded in New York City in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale. Reaching a peak in popularity in the early 80s, the band has continued a long-running successful career....
alum, drummer Sandy Slavin.
Track list
- "Desperation" (Phil Feit, Mark RealeMark RealeMark Reale is an American heavy metal guitarist best known for being the only constant original member in the band RiotMark was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1955. He grew up listening to The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Michael Schenker, Gary Moore, Ritchie Blackmore and lists George Harrison as one of...
, Guy SperanzaGuy SperanzaGuy Speranza was an American singer best known as New York-based metal band Riot's original frontman from 1976-1981....
) - 2:43 - "Warrior" (Steve Costello, Reale, Speranza) - 3:50
- "Rock City" (Feit, Reale, Speranza) - 3:29
- "Overdrive" (Reale, Speranza) - 4:12
- "Angel" (Feit, Reale, Speranza) - 3:37
- "Tokyo Rose" (Reale, Speranza) - 4:20
- "Heart of Fire" (Reale, Speranza) - 3:00
- "Gypsy Queen" (Reale, Speranza, Louie A. Kouvaris) - 3:56
- "This Is What I Get" (Reale, Speranza) - 4:09
Musicians
- Guy SperanzaGuy SperanzaGuy Speranza was an American singer best known as New York-based metal band Riot's original frontman from 1976-1981....
- Vocals - Mark RealeMark RealeMark Reale is an American heavy metal guitarist best known for being the only constant original member in the band RiotMark was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1955. He grew up listening to The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Michael Schenker, Gary Moore, Ritchie Blackmore and lists George Harrison as one of...
- Guitars - Phil Feit - Bass on "Desperation", "Rock City" & "Angel"
- Louie A. Kouvaris - Guitars
- Jimmy Iommi - Bass
- Peter Bitelli - Drums