Neal Kay
Neal Kay is a British DJ who played a key role in the development of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal music genre from the late 1970s , promoting bands such as Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis .
After he was able to gain a good knowledge of the contemporary rock scene by working in Berlin nightclubs , he took over a position as a DJ in the London club The Bandwagon in 1975 . In addition to the day of the week available to him, he also took over the music selection on Sunday under the name London's Only Heavy Rock Disco . With over 500 guests, these shows soon became The Bandwagon's best- attended events and soon took place five days a week. With music from bands such as Black Sabbath , Led Zeppelin , Rush and Thin Lizzy , the event, now known as Heavy Metal Soundhouse , established itself as an alternative to the punk and new wave clubs that were widespread in London at the time . In addition to the disco evenings, up-and-coming bands soon played regularly live at The Bandwagon , including Samson , Angel Witch , Praying Mantis, Nutz and Saxon . The also young band Iron Maiden sent Kay a demo recording with four songs, which he included in his program. This recording was later released as The Soundhouse Tapes and the band photos used for the record cover were taken in The Bandwagon .
"I think the most important thing was the demo recording and that it was played by Neal Kay at the soundhouse, because it sparked people's interest in the band."
Particular attention was paid to the charts of the most popular songs chosen by visitors to the club and compiled by Neal Kay. These were published regularly in the British music magazine Sounds , among others . Kay was also involved in putting together the compilation Metal for Muthas and wrote liner notes for the same. He also went on tour with bands like Iron Maiden, Praying Mantis and Saxon and provided the background music for the bands' performances.
The organizers of a competing heavy metal disco convinced the owners of The Bandwagon in 1980 to hold events there instead of the Heavy Metal Soundhouse , which led to the closure of the pub less than a year later due to the lack of success. Neal Kay and the Soundhouse then moved to the London pub The Headstone , until this too had to close in 1982. Kay then took on DJ positions at The Clay Pigeon in Eastcote , where he worked until 1992, and The Queens Arms in Harrow .
In the 1990s Neal Kay put together a new compilation called Metal for Muthas '92 , lived temporarily in Japan and Portugal and worked as a music producer . Occasionally he organized individual concerts under the name Soundhouse Reunion in changing clubs.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Gerry Kelly / Mark Blake: History: The Soundhouse Story - Part 1 ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English). Heavy Metal Soundhouse website, accessed September 7, 2011.
- ↑ Gerry Kelly / Mark Blake: History: The Soundhouse Story - Part 2 ( Memento of the original from April 29, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English). Heavy Metal Soundhouse website, accessed September 7, 2011.
- ↑ a b Gerry Kelly / Mark Blake: History: The Soundhouse Story - Part 3 ( Memento of the original from May 1, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English). Heavy Metal Soundhouse website, accessed September 7, 2011.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Kay, Neal |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British DJ |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 20th century |