The disc menu has a longer title: Classic Heep Live from the Byron
Era - 1972-1976.
Here are some rare clips from 1972-`76 that shows the band in great
form (tell me Freddie Mercury did not learn a little about stage
prancing and posteuring from Byron), It's obvious that Byron's
drinking problems were starting to show, as vocally he is not as
his best, but the acohol certainly fueled his onstage antics!
Bassist Gary Thain is featured on most of the 1972-1975 footage (he
passed away shortly after being fired from the band in 1975 of a
drug overdose), and seeing him in a live context you can see what
a talented bassist he really was, and it is a shame that drug
addiction robbed him of his talents and his life. John Wetton
joined the band after Thain was booted out, and is shown in the
clips from 1976.
 
Check out the thunderous and rousing version of "Sweet Lorrainne"
from the outdoor Pinkpop festival in Holland back in 1976, as well
as an extract from the 1973 show in Japan of "Look At Yourself."
There's also some interview footage, as well as the fun "Rock and
Roll Medley" of 50's songs that the band always performed back in
the early years, as well as "The Wizard" taped from a television
show back in 1972, where the band is clearly lip-synching.
 
There is also some priceless footage of Rough Diamond, which was
the band that David formed after leaving/being fired from Heep with
Clem Clempson of Humble Pie, Colosseum and Bakerloo. Their music
was really blues/pub rock, yet the one album they made was an
enjoyable one that was never going to change the world but deserved
more attention than it got (it sank miserably). The best song they
did is here, albeit mimed, called 'Scared', which was a slow burning
bluesy number with a compelling vocal by David Byron.
 
For a glimpse of Uriah Heep in the seventies, this is a must have.
Ken Hensley's raging Hammond organ and slide guitar, Mick Box and
his thunderous power chords and wah-wah solos, Lee Kerslake's
pounding drums, the nimble bass work of Gary Thain, and the
hostrionic, pompous vocal style of David Byron.
 
Track Listing
1) High and Mighty Montage 1976
2) Midnight 1976
3) Sweet Lorrainne 1976
4) Mick's Guitar Workout 1976
5) Look at Yourself extract 1973
6) Rock 'n' Roll Medley 1973
7) Something or Nothing 1974
8) July Morning 1972
9) US Interview 1972
10) Easy Livin' 1972
11) ABC Australia Interview1974
12) I Won't Mind 1974
13) The Wizard 1972
14) Rough Diamond-Rock 'n' Roll 1977
15) Rough Diamond-Looking for You 1977
16) Rough Diamond-Seasong 1977
17) Rough Diamond-Scared 1977
18) Rough Diamond-Lock 'n' Key 1977