History
Back from across the globe, after 25 years and 5 divorces!
Back from across the globe, after 25 years and 5 divorces!
Before last year's reunion, the last time the original members of Marseille performed together was at a huge stadium in Miami, Florida in June 1980. This was the last gig of a two month, critically acclaimed, US tour supporting Nazareth and Blackfoot. The band, buoyed by their success and ready to take the world by storm, arrived back in the UK only to witness the implosion of their management/record company,Mountain Records!
Marseille were at the very forefront of what later became known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). They toured with such legendary rockers as UFO, Whitesnake,Judas Priest and Ian Gillan. They were the first new wave heavy rock band to secure a recording contract and the very first of the NWOBHM bands to tour America. However, the legal entanglements surrounding the demise of Mountain kept the band sidelined and off the road for two critical years. By the time they had fought their way clear their "slot" was gone, already filled by other very talented acts.
The band reluctantly split in the early 80's. Neil Buchanan went on to become the well known TV celebrity, artist and producer of ART ATTACK! Steve as the owner of a music biz PR company in Liverpool, Andy the owner of a theme park design agency in the USA. Keith as a manager at a well known London media company. They all kept in touch with each other through the years, often rehashing old Marseille "war stories" of life on the road.
Last year the planets finally "aligned" and all 5 members (including Paul Dale, the original vocalist) were able to meet up and jam together "Just for the crack", as Neil put it. Even after 25+ years the old magic was still there....and the embers in the fireplace glowed a little brighter.
A "one-off" pair of gigs followed, with Dave Ling writing a favourable review of the London-Rock Garden gig in Classic Rock Magazine. Sadly, Paul decided he did not want to continue,but with the fire fully reignited in the rest of the band they invited the talented Nige Roberts to become the new voice of Marseille.
Marseille were at the very forefront of what later became known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). They toured with such legendary rockers as UFO, Whitesnake,Judas Priest and Ian Gillan. They were the first new wave heavy rock band to secure a recording contract and the very first of the NWOBHM bands to tour America. However, the legal entanglements surrounding the demise of Mountain kept the band sidelined and off the road for two critical years. By the time they had fought their way clear their "slot" was gone, already filled by other very talented acts.
The band reluctantly split in the early 80's. Neil Buchanan went on to become the well known TV celebrity, artist and producer of ART ATTACK! Steve as the owner of a music biz PR company in Liverpool, Andy the owner of a theme park design agency in the USA. Keith as a manager at a well known London media company. They all kept in touch with each other through the years, often rehashing old Marseille "war stories" of life on the road.
Last year the planets finally "aligned" and all 5 members (including Paul Dale, the original vocalist) were able to meet up and jam together "Just for the crack", as Neil put it. Even after 25+ years the old magic was still there....and the embers in the fireplace glowed a little brighter.
A "one-off" pair of gigs followed, with Dave Ling writing a favourable review of the London-Rock Garden gig in Classic Rock Magazine. Sadly, Paul decided he did not want to continue,but with the fire fully reignited in the rest of the band they invited the talented Nige Roberts to become the new voice of Marseille.
A new 4-track EP entitled FOURPLAY is the result.
....a teaser for bigger and better things to come!
....a teaser for bigger and better things to come!
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