He died in December of that year from a heroin overdose at the age of 27. Of the classic lineup, Thain was thrown out of the group in 1975 due to his rampant drug addiction and general bad behavior. Plus, you could always impress your high school literature teacher with a Dickens reference. They were also one of the earliest classic-rock bands to have a significant overseas following and popularity, proving that a working band plays wherever their fans want to see them.ĭiehard UK followers still hold a Heep celebration/convention/concert each year. Uriah Heep helped set the template for proggy, Dungeons & Dragons-themed metal that would follow and flower in the '80s.
Oh, if only there were never a Deep Purple. And the Heep also lacked a really standout member in an era of big names who became synonymous with their instruments or voices. Its good stuff was really good, but there was also a lot of filler. hit with the more straight-ahead rock of "Easy Livin'." Albums like The Magician's Birthday, Uriah Heep Live and Sweet Freedom followed.Įven during its heyday, Uriah Heep seemed like a band searching for a consistent identity, dipping its toes in the ponds of hard rock ("High Priestess," "Look at Yourself"), melodic rock ("Stealin'," "Sweet Lorraine"), prog-rock ("Gypsy," "The Wizard"), even dramatic ballads ("Come Away Melinda"). It was also the first album cover noted fantasy artist Roger Dean did for the group, and it spawned their sole U.S. The band began to gel in 1971 with Look at Yourself and the epic "July Morning."īut it was the next year's Demons and Wizards - sporting the classic lineup of Byron, Box, Hensley, Gary Thain (bass) and Lee Kerslake (drums) that finally scored. debut in front of 20,000 opening for Three Dog Night. The drum chair changed feet several times, and follow-up Salisbury included the 16-plus-minute title track.