Nazareth (band)

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Nazareth
Nazareth performing in 2022
Nazareth performing in 2022
Background information
OriginDunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Genres
Years active1968–present
Labels
MembersPete Agnew
Jimmy Murrison
Lee Agnew
Carl Sentance
Past membersDan McCafferty
Darrell Sweet
Manny Charlton
Zal Cleminson
Billy Rankin
John Locke
Ronnie Leahy
Linton Osborne
Websitenazarethdirect.co.uk

Nazareth are a Scottish hard rock band formed in Dunfermline in 1968 that had many hit singles and albums in Canada, the United Kingdom, and a number of other European countries beginning in the early 1970s. The breadth of their popularity expanded internationally, including in the United States, with their 1975 album Hair of the Dog, which featured their hits "Hair of the Dog" and a cover of the ballad "Love Hurts".[3][4][5] They have continued to record and tour internationally for more than 50 years.

Career[edit]

Nazareth performing in March 1976

Nazareth formed in December 1968 in Dunfermline, Scotland, from the remaining members of semi-professional local group the Shadettes (formed in 1961) by vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet.[6] They were inspired by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.[7] Nazareth took their name from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, which is cited in the first line of the Band's classic song "The Weight" ("I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead...").[6]

The band moved to London, England in 1970 and released their self titled debut album in 1971.[6] After getting some attention with their second album Exercises, released in 1972, Nazareth supported Deep Purple on tour, and issued the Roger Glover-produced Razamanaz, in early 1973.[6] This collection spawned two UK Top Ten hits, "Broken Down Angel" and "Bad Bad Boy".[6] This was followed by Loud 'N' Proud in late 1973, which contained another hit with a cover of Joni Mitchell's song "This Flight Tonight".[6] Then came another album Rampant, in 1974, that was equally successful although its only single, "Shanghai'd in Shanghai", narrowly missed the British Top 40.[4] The non-album cover of Tomorrow's "My White Bicycle" was a UK Top 20 entry in 1975.[6]

Hair of the Dog, released in April 1975, was produced by Manny Charlton, ending Roger Glover's association with the band.[4] The title track – popularly, though incorrectly, known as "Son of a Bitch" due to its hook lyric – became a staple of 1970s rock radio. The American version of the album included a song originally recorded by the Everly Brothers: the melodic Boudleaux Bryant-penned ballad "Love Hurts". This became a hit in the UK and in the US, where it went platinum. The track became the band's only US Top Ten hit[8] and was also a top 10 hit in nine other countries, reaching number 1 in six of them. The song was on the Norwegian chart for 60 weeks.[8]

In 1979, second guitarist Zal Cleminson was added to the line-up, remaining for two albums, No Mean City and Malice in Wonderland, and contributing numerous compositions.[6] Malice in Wonderland contained the single "Holiday".[4] In 1981, they contributed the song "Crazy (A Suitable Case for Treatment)" to the soundtrack to the film, Heavy Metal.

Various Nazareth line-ups continued to make studio albums and tour throughout the 1980s and 1990s, although their popularity had declined such that some albums no longer received either a UK or a US release. They remained popular in Europe, particularly Germany, where "Dream On" became a hit single. In 1991, Billy Rankin returned to replace Manny Charlton on the No Jive album, remaining with the band until 1994.[6]

A tribute came in 1993 when Guns N' Roses covered Nazareth's "Hair of the Dog" on "The Spaghetti Incident?"; consolation after they turned down Axl Rose's request for the group to play at his wedding.[6] "Axl really made me more aware of Nazareth…" recalled GNR guitarist Slash, "because he can sing like that McCafferty guy, and really dug his voice. And so I remember listening to Nazareth a lot at one point."[9]

Rankin departed again in 1994, but with Jimmy Murrison and keyboard player Ronnie Leahy, Nazareth maintained a live following in Europe and the US.[6]

Nazareth continued touring after Rankin's departure, with Jimmy Murrison and keyboard player Ronnie Leahy.[6] While on tour in 1999, original drummer Darrell Sweet died at age 51 of a heart attack. He was replaced by bassist Pete Agnew's son Lee for later editions of the band.

On 4 August 2006, John Locke, the former keyboardist of the band, died from cancer at the age of 62.[10]

In February 2008, The Newz was released on the Hamburg-based label, Edel Entertainment. The release of the album coincided with Nazareth's fortieth anniversary tour, which started on 25 January in Sweden and visited most of Europe, finished on 4 November 2008 in Norway. A follow-up album, Big Dogz, was released on 15 April 2011.

Jimmy Murrison and Linton Osborne at Picture On Festival, August 2014

Nazareth announced McCafferty's retirement from the band due to ill health on 28 August 2013,[11] leaving Pete Agnew as the last remaining original member of the band. On 22 February 2014, it was announced that Scottish singer Linton Osborne was chosen as McCafferty's replacement, with the former singer's blessing.[12] In December 2014, Nazareth announced the cancellation of several shows,[13] and later postponement of their UK tour,[14] due to Osborne contracting a virus that left him unable to perform. In a post on his Facebook page 16 January 2015, Osborne announced his departure from the band.[15][16]

On 13 February 2015, the band announced that Carl Sentance, formerly of Persian Risk, Geezer Butler Band, and Krokus, was their new lead vocalist.[17][18]

In October 2018, the album Tattooed on My Brain, was released via Frontiers Records.[19] 'The 50th Anniversary Tour' followed, spanning 2018 and 2019, along with German hard rock band Formosa as support.[20][21] Original guitarist Manny Charlton died on 5 July 2022, aged 80.[22]

On 8 November 2022, Dan McCafferty died at the age of 76,[23] thus leaving bassist Pete Agnew as the last surviving original member.

Members[edit]

Current members[edit]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
2016_Nazareth_-_Pete_Agnew_-_by_2eight_-_8SC5501.jpg
 Pete Agnew 1968–present[6]
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals[24][25]
  • occasional guitar[24] and piano[26]
 all releases
2016_Nazareth_-_Jimmy_Murrison_-_by_2eight_-_DSC3013.jpg
 Jimmy Murrison 1994–present[27]
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
  • occasional piano[28] and keyboards[29]
 all releases from Boogaloo (1998) onwards
2016_Nazareth_-_Lee_Agnew_-_by_2eight_-_DSC2901.jpg
 Lee Agnew 1999–present
  • drums
  • percussion[29]
  • backing vocals
  • occasional keyboards[29]
2016_Nazareth_-_Carl_Sentance_-_by_2eight_-_8SC5427.jpg
 Carl Sentance 2015–present[17] lead vocals[25]

Former members[edit]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Nazareth_@_Rothes_Halls_(4380017624)_(2).jpg
 Dan McCafferty 1968–2013 (died 2022)[6][23]
  • lead vocals
  • occasional bagpipes[30] and talkbox[31]
 all releases from Nazareth (1971) to Rock 'n' Roll Telephone (2014)
Darrell Sweet 1968–1999 (his death)[6]
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals[24]
  • all releases from Nazareth (1971) to Boogaloo (1998)
  • Back to the Trenches (2001)
  • The River Sessions Live 1981 (2004)
  • From the Beginning (2005)
  • Naza' Live Scottish TV 1980 (2005)
Nazareth_03121976_01_640.jpg
 Manny Charlton 1968–1990 (died 2022)[6][29]
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
  • occasional synthesizers,[32] keyboards and programming[33]
ZalCleminson2004.JPG
 Zal Cleminson 1978–1980[6]
  • guitars
  • occasional synthesizer[34]
Billy_Rankin_onstage_with_Nazareth,_St_Louis_MO,_1983-_2013-08-28_21-52.jpg
 Billy Rankin
  • 1980–1983
  • 1990–1994
[35][6]
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
  • occasional keyboards[36]
John_Locke_played_keyboards_for_the_Rock_Band_'Spirit'.jpg
 John Locke 1980–1982 (died 2006)[37][24] keyboards
  • The Fool Circle (1981)
  • 'Snaz (1981)
  • Live in Texas (1981)
  • 2XS (1982)
  • Back to the Trenches (2001)
  • The River Sessions Live 1981 (2004)
  • Naza' Live Scottish TV 1980 (2005)
Ronnie Leahy 1994–2002[27][38]
20140808-0923 PictureOn 2014-Nazareth-Linton Osborne.JPG
 Linton Osborne 2014–2015[12][15] lead vocals No Means of Escape DVD (2015)[39]

Timeline[edit]

Lineups[edit]

Period Members Releases
December 1968 – September 1978[6]
September 1978 – July 1980[6][35]
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Manny Charlton – guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Darrell Sweet – drums, backing vocals
  • Zal Cleminson – guitar
July 1980 – Late 1982[35][37]
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Manny Charlton – guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Darrell Sweet – drums, backing vocals
  • Billy Rankin – guitar, backing vocals
  • John Locke – keyboards
  • The Fool Circle (1981) without Rankin
  • 'Snaz (1981)
  • Live in Texas (1981)
  • 2XS (1982)
  • Back to the Trenches (2001)
  • The River Sessions Live 1981 (2004)
  • Naza' Live Scottish TV 1980 (2005)
Late 1982 – 1983[35]
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Manny Charlton – guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Darrell Sweet – drums, backing vocals
  • Billy Rankin – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
1983 – May 1990[35]
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Manny Charlton – guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Darrell Sweet – drums, backing vocals
May 1990 – Late 1994[6]
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Darrell Sweet – drums, backing vocals
  • Billy Rankin – guitar, backing vocals
Late 1994 – April 1999[27]
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Darrell Sweet – drums, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Murrison – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Leahy – keyboards
April 1999 – Late 2002
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Murrison – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronnie Leahy – keyboards
  • Lee Agnew – drums, backing vocals
Late 2002 – 2013
  • Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Murrison – guitar, backing vocals
  • Lee Agnew – drums, backing vocals
2014 – Jan 2015
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Murrison – guitar, backing vocals
  • Lee Agnew – drums, backing vocals
  • Linton Osborne – lead vocals

No Means of Escape DVD (2015)

Feb 2015–present
  • Pete Agnew – bass, backing and occ. lead vocals
  • Jimmy Murrison – guitar, backing vocals
  • Lee Agnew – drums, backing vocals
  • Carl Sentance – lead vocals

Discography[edit]

Main article: Nazareth discography

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Nazareth – Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  2. ^ Talevski, Nick (2006). Rock Obituaries – Knocking On Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-84609-091-2.
  3. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 388. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 681–682. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  5. ^ "CD: Nazareth: Golden Hits (2004)". En.imusic.dk. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p. 284. ISBN 0-85112-072-5.
  7. ^ Pete Agnew compares Nazareth and Aerosmith with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
  8. ^ a b Roberts, David (2001). British Hit Singles (14th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 332. ISBN 0-85156-156-X.
  9. ^ "Nazareth". Q: 70. March 1994.
  10. ^ Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2006 July to December". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  11. ^ "News | Nazareth". Nazarethdirect.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Nazareth singer hails McCafferty for his 'class' – Classic Rock". Classicrock.teamrock.com. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  13. ^ "European Tour Update | Nazareth". Nazarethdirect.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  14. ^ "UK Tour Dates to be rescheduled | Nazareth". Nazarethdirect.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Linton Osborne Official Announcement: I am no longer a member of..." Facebook.com. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  16. ^ Kielty, Martin (17 January 2015). "Nazareth singer Osborne quits". louder. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  17. ^ a b "We take great (really great) pleasure introducing to..." Facebook.com. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  18. ^ "ABOUT". Carl Sentance Singer. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  19. ^ Lady Cat. "NAZARETH - Tattooed On My Brain | Review bei Stormbringer". Stormbringer.at (in German).
  20. ^ "Nazareth (UK) – 50th Anniversary Tour 2019, Support: Formosa (D)". Szeneluebeck.de (in German).
  21. ^ "Formosa als Support von Nazareth bestätigt!". Musikiathek (in German). 23 March 2019.
  22. ^ "Nazareth Founding Guitarist, Manny Charlton, Dies". Bestclassicbands.com. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Former Nazareth Frontman Dan McCafferty Dead At 76". Stereogum.com. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  24. ^ a b c d Nazareth (liner notes). Nazareth. Pegasus Records. 1971. PEG 10.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ^ a b Tattooed on My Brain (liner notes). Nazareth. Frontiers Music. 2018. FR CD 890.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ^ Close Enough for Rock 'n' Roll (liner notes). Nazareth. Vertigo Records. 1976. 6370 412.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ a b c "Nazareth History – Page 8 – Nazareth". Nazarethdirect.co.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  28. ^ Big Dogz (liner notes). Nazareth. Moon Records. 2011. MR 5181-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ^ a b c d Rock 'n' Roll Telephone (liner notes). Nazareth. Union Square Music. 2014. USMFL2LP001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ^ "Interview with DAN McCAFFERTY (NAZARETH)". DMME.net. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  31. ^ Brewster, David M. (2003). Introduction to guitar tone & effects: an essential manual for getting the best sounds from electric guitars, amplifiers, effect pedals, and digital processors. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-634-06046-5.
  32. ^ Hair of the Dog (liner notes). Nazareth. Vertigo Records. 1975. 6370 405.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ^ Snakes 'n' Ladders (liner notes). Nazareth. Vertigo Records. 1989. PPD-1049.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ^ Malice in Wonderland (liner notes). Nazareth. A&M Records. 1980. SP-4799.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. ^ a b c d e "Nazareth – History". Nazareth Direct.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  36. ^ Sound Elixir (liner notes). Nazareth. A&M Records. 1983. CS-9099.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^ a b "Nazareth 4". Billy Rankin ex Nazareth guitarist. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  38. ^ "Nazareth History – Page 9 – Nazareth". Nazarethdirect.co.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  39. ^ "Nazareth No Means of Escape DVD Review". Newwaveofbritishheavymetal.com. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

External links[edit]

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