Lynryd Skynryd : Whiskey Powered Rock'n'Rollers

the first time I ever heard OR even saw Lynyrd Skynyrd was on a Saturday avo in the early 80's, layed a live concert of theirs, Knebworth in '76 I believe  ....Its the one with the band playing their arse off, .Ronnie Van Zant controlling the crowd, The Honkettes grooving away up the back, Artimus banging away with that signature Skynyrd beat and all the boys having a fair old hoot

That gig is thus far, apart from youtube the only way I've seen Skynyrd..they never made it to Orstraylia when Ronnie was kickin up dust and raisin hell ...dunno if it was on the cards or not...but none the less, the Knebworth gig is brilliant

Oh, by the by, here is an interesting bit of info..for all you people learning guitar...learn 'FREEBIRD" according to Benny from pommy rockers Thunder, its got everything a rookie guitarist needs to get your chops down in double quick time...so there you go....As is the Lynryd Skynryd Movie...an ridiculously great flick..showing the entity that is Skynyrd in various incarnations...ANYWHOO to the band....

Lynyrd Skynyrd was the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious Southern image and a hard rock swagger. they were a hard-living, hard-driving rock & roll band -- they may have jammed endlessly on-stage, but their music remained firmly entrenched in blues, rock, and country. For many, Lynyrd Skynyrd's redneck image tended to obscure the songwriting skills of their leader, Ronnie Van Zant. 

Throughout the band's early records, Van Zant demonstrated a knack for lyrical detail and a down-to-earth honesty that had more in common with country than rock & roll. During the height of Skynyrd's popularity in the mid-'70s, however, Van Zant's talents were overshadowed by the group's gritty, greasy blues-rock. 

Sadly, it wasn't until he was killed in the tragic plane crash in 1977 along with two other bandmembers that the world at large began to realize his talents. Skynyrd split up after the plane crash, but they reunited a decade later, becoming a popular concert act during the early '90s.

Named after a decidely grumpy head coach ( Leonard Skinner) at their high school...and after Ronnie K'O'd Bob Burns while playing baseball...they formed the band ...they played around Jacksonville in bard like the little Brown jug and similar joints.

 Within a few months, the group added bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboardist Billy Powell, and changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mocking tribute to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was notorious for punishing students with long hair. With drummer Bob Burns, Lynyrd Skynyrd began playing throughout the South. For the first few years, the group had little success, but producer Al Kooper signed the band to MCA after seeing them play at an Atlanta club called Funocchio's in 1972. 

Kooper produced the group's 1973 debut, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, which was recorded after former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King joined the band. The group became notorious for their triple-guitar attack, which was showcased on "Free Bird," a tribute to the recently deceased Duane Allman. "Free Bird" earned Lynyrd Skynyrd their first national exposure and it became one of the staples of album rock radio, still receiving airplay decades after its release.

 "Free Bird" and an opening slot on the Who's 1973 Quadrophenia tour gave Lynyrd Skynyrd a devoted following, which helped their second album, 1974's Second Helping, become its breakthrough hit. Featuring the hit single "Sweet Home Alabama" -- a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man" -- Second Helping reached number 12 and went multi-platinum. At the end of the year, Artimus Pyle replaced drummer Burns and King left the band shortly afterward. 

The new sextet released Nuthin' Fancy in 1975, and it became the band's first Top Ten hit. The record was followed by the Tom Dowd-produced Gimme Back My Bullets in 1976, which failed to match the success of its two predecessors. However, the band retained their following through constant touring, which was documented on the double live album One More from the Road. Released in late 1976, the album featured the band's new guitarist, Steve Gaines, and a trio of female backup singers, and it became Skynyrd's second Top Ten album.

 Skynyrd released their sixth album, Street Survivors, on October 17, 1977. Three days later, a privately chartered plane carrying the band between shows in Greenville, SC, and Baton Rouge, LA, crashed outside of Gillsburg, MS. Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and his sister Cassie, one of the group's backing vocalists, died in the crash; the remaining members were injured. (The cause of the crash was either fuel shortage or a fault with the plane's mechanics.) 

The cover for Street Survivors had pictured the band surrounded in flames; after the crash, the cover was changed. In the wake of the tragedy, the album became one of the band's biggest hits. Lynyrd Skynyrd broke up after the crash, releasing a collection of early demos called Skynyrd's First and...Last in 1978; it had been scheduled for release before the crash. The double-album compilation Gold & Platinum was released in 1980.

Later in 1980, Rossington and Collins formed a new band -- naturally named Rossington Collins Band -- that featured four surviving members. Two years later, Pyle formed the Artimus Pyle Band. Collins suffered a car crash in 1986 that killed his girlfriend and left him paralyzed; four years later, he died of respiratory failure. In 1987, Rossington, Powell, King, and Wilkeson reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd, adding vocalist Johnny Van Zant and guitarist Randall Hall. 

The band embarked on a reunion tour, which was captured on the 1988 double live album Southern by the Grace of God/Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour -- 1987. The re-formed Skynyrd began recording in 1991, and for the remainder of the decade, the band toured frequently, putting out albums occasionally. 

The reunited Skynyrd frequently switched drummers, but it had little effect on their sound....During the '90s, Lynyrd Skynyrd were made honorary colonels in the Alabama State Militia, due to their classic rock staple "Sweet Home Alabama." During the mid-'90s, Van Zant, Rossington, Wilkeson, and Powell regrouped by adding two Southern rock veterans to Skynyrd's guitar stable: former Blackfoot frontman Rickey Medlocke and ex-Outlaws Hughie Thomasson. With ex-Damn Yankee Michael Cartellone bringing stability to the drum chair, the reconstituted band signed to CMC International for the 1997 album Twenty. 

This lineup went on to release Lyve from Steeltown in 1998, followed a year later by Edge of Forever. The seasonal effort Christmas Time Again was released in fall 2000. Although Wilkeson died one year later, Lynyrd Skynyrd regrouped and recorded Vicious Cycle for a 2003 release. The DVD/CD Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour followed a year later, 2006 saw the release of Face to Face, and 2007 brought Paper Sleeve Box and Lyve from Steel Town. 

But death continued to haunt the band, and the lineup continued to change, as much from attrition as anything else. Wilkeson, Skynyrd's bassist since 1972, died in 2001 and was replaced by Ean Evans that same year (Evans in turn died in 2009). 

Artimus Pyle, Ed King, Bob Burns, Leslie Hawkins and JoJo Billingsley played with the rest of the band at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony of 2006.

Thomasson left the band to reform his band Outlaws in 2005, dying two years later in 2007. His spot in Skynyrd was taken by Mark "Sparky" Matejka, formerly of Hot Apple Pie, in 2006. Original keyboardist Powell died at the age of 56 at his home near Jacksonville, Fl in 2009. That year also saw the release of a new studio album, God + Guns, on Roadrunner Records. Live From Freedom Hall was released on the same label in 2010. 

A new studio album, Last of a Dyin' Breed, produced by Bob Marlette, recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, and featuring a new bass player, Johnny Colt (formerly a bassist for the Black Crowes), appeared in 2012.

MODERN SKYNYRDS

Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, Johnny Van Zant, Michael Cartellone, Mark Matejka, Peter Keys. Johnny Colt, Dale Krantz-Rossington, Carol Chase

FORMER MEMBERS 

Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Bob Burns, Larry Junstrom, Greg T. Walker

Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Ed King, Artimus Pyle, Steve Gaines

Randall Hall, Kurt Custer, Mike Estes, Owen Hale

Hughie Thomasson, Jeff McAllister, Kenny Aronoff, Ean Evans

Robert Kearns

HONKETTES

Leslie Hawkins, JoJo Billingsley, Cassie Gaines, Carol Bristow

1973 (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)
1974 Second Helping
1975 Nuthin' Fancy
1976 Gimme Back My Bullets
1977 Street Survivors
1991 Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991
1993 The Last Rebel
1994 Endangered Species
1997 Twenty
1999 Edge of Forever
2000 Christmas Time Again
2003 Vicious Cycle
2009 God & Guns
2012 Last of a Dyin' Breed

LIVE ALBUMS
1976 One More from the Road
1988 Southern by the Grace of God
1996 Southern Knights
1998 Lyve from Steel Town
2004 Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour
2010 Live from Freedom Hall

1978 Skynyrd's First and... Last
1979 Gold & Platinum
1982 Best of the Rest
1987 Legend
1989 Skynyrd's Innyrds
1991 Lynyrd Skynyrd (Box Set)
1993 A Retrospective
1997 What's Your Name
1997 Old Time Greats
1998 Extended Versions: The Encore Collection
                 The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd
                Skynyrd's First: The Complete Muscle Shoals Album
1999 20th Century Masters
                Solo Flytes
2000 All Time Greatest Hits
                Collectybles
                Then and Now
2003 Thyrty
2005 Greatest Hits (first of that name)
                Then and Now Volume Two
2008 Greatest Hits (second of that name)
2010 Icon

WHISKEY POWERED ROCK'n'ROLLERS

So there you go..Southern Rock at its finest...have a rocking day

My names Recky and I'm a Steel Fanther

The VERY first time I'd ever seen Steel Panther, they were called Metal Skool and were on the 2nd dvd of the music doco HEAVY METAL:Louder than Life....and since then, and being a BIG fan of phenomenal piss takes, I think it a very safe bet that I'm a dedicated Steel Fanther

....to the boys and the history thereof..TOTALLY BITCHIN DUDES.

The Panthers bioys satirically pretend to be a hair metal band that missed its big break in the '80s, singer Ralph Saenz ("Michael Starr"), drummer Darren Leader ("Stix Zadinia"), bassist Travis Haley ("Lexxi Foxxx"), and guitarist Russ Parrish ("Satchel") hit the club circuit on the Sunset Strip around the turn of the millennium under the name Metal Shop (later changed to Metal Skool, and then Steel Panther). With big spiky wigs, leather jackets, zebra-striped spandex, chops earned from playing in a Van Halen tribute band, and lots and lots of machismo, their comic take on sex, drugs, and rock & roll to the extreme caught on quickly, leading to sold-out shows and some unexpected brushes with mainstream success.

 As their popularity increased, the Hollywood crowd started frequenting their sets, often making appearances on-stage ( Ive seen Kat Von D, Charlie Sheen and a fair sized smattering of 80s metal dudes on stage with the Panthers (courtesy of YouTube) 

This led to some opportunities: the band fittingly played the role of a metal band as "Danger Kitty" in a Discover Card commercial; they appeared on The Drew Carey Show as themselves; and their song "FF" was used as the theme for MTV's Fantasy Factory. In May of 2008 the band signed to Universal Republic. After releasing the singles "Death for All But Metal" and "Community Property," Steel Panther's full-length Feel the Steel was released in October of 2009. The album broke the band onto the Billboard chart, netting them a spot at 98 on the U.S. charts (and 48 on the rock chart). Not wanting the fun to stop, the band got back to it quickly and in 2011 followed up with Balls Out, which featured guest appearances from comedian Dane Cook and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, among others
.

The quartet began to gain popularity in the Sunset Strip during the early 2000s under the name Metal Shop. The band did weekly shows on Monday nights at the Viper Room, playing covers of 1980s hair metal hits while parodying the bands that made the songs famous. Despite the name changes, some members putting in time in a Van Halen tribute band, they finally managed to gain some success  In 2003 Steel Panther published Hole Patrol,  their self-produced debut. The band appeared in a Discover Card advertisement as Danger Kitty and in the sitcom Drew Carey Show as themselves. 

Also in 2003, their song "Death to All But Metal" was included in a compilation CD called Hey, That's What I Call Sludge! Vol. 1 put out by the Metal Sludge web site. Their cover of the song "Fantasy" by Aldo Nova was used as the opening musical theme for the MTV program Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. On November 27, 2007 Metal Skool played original songs as well as covers of KISS songs at the Gene Simmons roast, they can be seen in the background of Gene Simmons' reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels. That year, they also appeared as themselves on Las Vegas in the episode "The High Price of Gas".

In April 2008 the band decided to change their name from Metal Skool to Steel Panther, making a new debut at The Rockin' Saddle Club in Redlands, California. In an interview with Michael Starr, he states that the band's name wasn't inspired by Steel Dragon, the band with Zakk Wylde and Mark Wahlberg in the movie Rock Star. In May 2008, the band signed a contract with Republic Records (owned by record label Universal Records) announcing plans for a new studio album.

The first single, an updated version of "Death to All but Metal", first appeared on iTunes on 27 January 2009, whereas the album, entitled Feel the Steel and produced by Jay Ruston, was published on 9 June, during the same year. A promotional video, directed by actor Dean Cameron, was shot for the song "Fat Girl (Thar She Blows.)"...Sometime collaborator Dean Cameron, also credited with co-writing "Supersonic Sex Machine" on "Balls Out", directed and co-wrote a pilot presentation in an attempt to land Steel Panther their own television program.

On December 6, 2011, Steel Panther announced their second solo UK tour in support of their newest album Balls Out. Tickets for the shows went on sale on December 9, 2011, with many ticket providers selling out their allocations within a month. This Prompted another headline UK tour taking place in November 2012

Steel Panther played on the main stage at Download Festival in June 2012, during which they were joined on stage by Corey Taylor of Slipknot to play Death to All But Metal. They played in front of a crowd of over 100,000 people....Steel Panther are managed by Satchel's brother, Glenn Parrish.

The band released their major record label debut (Universal Republic), Feel the Steel on June 8, 2009 in the UK and on October 6, 2009 in North America. Feel the Steel debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy chart, No. 123 on the Billboard 200 chart and would eventually peak at No. 98 on the Billboard 200 chart. The record features hit singles, "Community Property" and "Death to All but Metal" as well as notable guest vocal performances from Corey Taylor, Justin Hawkins, and M. Shadows.....The record's success also caught the attention of the Grammys, making it onto the "Best Comedy Album" ballot in October 2010, yet failing to reach a nomination.
The track "Eyes of a Panther" from Feel the Steel is featured on the sound track for the video game Skate 3.

The boys continued their revival of the 80's heavy metal genre with their sophomore effort titled Balls Out released through major record label, Universal Republic on October 31, 2011 in the UK and on November 1, 2011 in North America. Balls Out debuted at No. 1 on the UK iTunes Rock chart surpassing Megadeth's TH1RT3EN and Lou Reed's and Metallica's Lulu. Balls Out also debuted at No. 4 on the US iTunes Rock chart, No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart and at No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy chart with first-week sales of 12,000 copies in the US.

Steel Panther released their first Live DVD British Invasion in September 2012. The DVD was released worldwide on October 22, 2012. The DVD was filmed at Brixton Academy in London and features a two-hour concert/documentary based on the band's sold-out British tour.

Steel Panther released their new video "Party Like Tomorrow Is the End of the World" on October 28, 2013 via their YouTube VEVO channel. It is the first single for their upcoming album All You Can Eat, due for release in 2014. The band played a new song called "Glory Hole" from their upcoming album for the first time in Brisbane Australia on December 6, 2013

Due to their growing popularity, Steel Panther were invited by Def Leppard to join them and co-headliners Mötley Crüe as "Special Guests" on the Mirrorball Tour tour in December 2011.

Exactly one week after ending the UK arena tour in London with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, Steel Panther opened for Guns N' Roses at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA on December 21, 2011.

On May 11, 2011 Steel Panther announced that they would be playing the main stage (same stage as Van Halen) at Soundwave Revolution, however, the spin-off festival would be cancelled due to poor ticket sales. In fact, drummer Stix Zadinia was responsible for breaking the story via his Twitter account on August 9: "Soundwave revolution is cancelled. I am bummed." The news shocked Soundwave fans and caused a huge debacle resulting in Steel Panther trending on Twitter and fans accusing Steel Panther as the reason for the cancellation.

Though Steel Panther were disappointed by the news knowing that they wouldn't be sharing the main stage with Van Halen, the Soundwave Revolution cancellation ended up being a blessing in disguise for it allowed the band to finish recording their second major release, [Balls Out].
The band then proceeded to play the 2012 edition of the main festival, sharing a stage with System of a Down, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit.

Brazzers sponsored the Australian tour of Steel Panther in early October 2012, which sold out in Brisbane, Sydney (two shows), Melbourne, and Adelaide.

In late 2012, Steel Panther's European tour was crowned a huge success. They played sold out shows, particularly in Germany:

Steel Panther toured Australia in December 2013. Shows were sold out in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth between 6 and 12 December.
It has been mentioned that parts of the Australian live shows were recorded for a DVD for a deluxe release of their next CD, "All You Can Eat". At this time, it's unknown if this will be an Australia-only release.

Best Debut: Feel the Steel - Metal Hammer Germany
2012 Live Act of the Year - Loudwire Music Awards

   2003 Hole Patrol

    2009 Feel the Steel

2011 Balls Out

     2014 All You Can Eat

Singles

       2002 "Love Rocket" (as Danger Kitty)

2003 "Death to All but Metal"

2009 "Death to All but Metal"

"Community Property"

"Eyes of a Panther"

"Don't Stop Believin'"

"Fantasy"

"Sexy Santa"

2010 "I Want It That Way"

       2011 "If You Really, Really Love Me"

"17 Girls in a Row"

"Just Like Tiger Woods"

       2013 "Party Like Tomorrow Is the End of the World"

Videography

Fat Girl (Thar She Blows) – The Video (2005) – home DVD featuring the music video for the title track and behind-the-scenes footage.

Behind the Music: Steel Panther (2009) – iTunes podcast featuring a fake Behind the Music story for Steel Panther. (Features stars like Matt Sorum, Kat Von D, Jani Lane, Dee Snider and Dave Navarro)

British Invasion (Steel Panther DVD) (2012) first live release

Music Videos

"Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)" (2009)

"Death To All But Metal" (2009)

"Community Property" (2009)

"If You Really Really Love Me" (2011)

"Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World" (2013)

"The Burden Of Being Wonderful" (2014)

"Glory Hole" (2014)

Ralph Saenz (born May 17, 1965) is most known by his stage name Michael Starr, although he has also been nicknamed Michael Diamond. Starr is the lead singer for the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther.[1] Steel Panther was formerly known as Metal Shop, or Metal Skool and were once featured in a Discover Card commercial as "Danger Kitty."
Saenz was the lead singer for the David Lee Roth-era Van Halen tribute band Atomic Punks from May 1994 through December 2008, where he had the nickname "David Lee Ralph."
Saenz was briefly the lead singer for L.A. Guns singing on the Wasted EP. He also has sung for the bands 7% Solution, First Cause, Longgone, and Nightfall. The latter were featured on the KNAC radio sponsored Pure Rock compilation (1987), with Ralph going under the name Michael Saenz.
Saenz appeared briefly in the 2001 film, Rock Star. Ralph can be seen in the glass booth auditioning, when Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston walk into the audition. Ralph struts, glaring at the two before Wahlberg takes his turn to audition.
Although he has led various groups as the primary vocalist, Saenz also provided background vocals for rock band AFI on the albums Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground.

Russ Parrish (born November 24, 1970 in Redwood City, California) 
He has worked extensively with Paul Gilbert and has writing credits on several Paul Gilbert tracks.....Russ also is the leader of his own band called The Thornbirds with Darren Leader who is also a member of Steel Panther, Guitarist, Jeff Duncan, is a former member of rock-metal bands Odin, Armored Saint, The Atomic Punks, and DC4. Rounding out the group is bassist Dean Cameron.

In the early 1990s Russ was an instructor at The Guitar Institute of Technology (G.I.T.) at Hollywood's Musician's Institute. Russ played guitar for Jeff Pilson's post- Dokken band War & Peace and released one CD, before leaving to join Rob Halford's band Fight. In 1995, Parrish played guitar in Kevin Gilbert's touring band (dubbed "Thud") in support of Gilbert's Thud album. Parrish can be seen performing with Gilbert on Welcome to Joytown - Thud Live at the Troubadour, a DVD/CD combo released in 2009 documenting the band's June 1, 1995 concert at The Troubador in Los Angeles. In 1996, he played guitar with vocalist Sebastian Bach in the song, "Rock Bottom"[disambiguation needed] for an Ace Frehley tribute album named Spacewalk (A Salute To Ace Frehley)

Stix Zadinia is the stage name of Darren Leader, an American-born drummer. He is best known as the drummer for the glam metal band Steel Panther (formerly known as Metal Skool). He is influenced by Bon Jovi and many other rock bands from the 1970's and 80's. Stix was a member of a band called The Thornbirds with Russ Parrish, the guitarist for Steel Panther, Jeff Duncan, a former member of rock-metal supergroups Odin, Armored Saint, and DC4, and bassist Dean Cameron.

and there f**k all about Travis Healy aka Lexxi Foxx ...so instead of guessing about Travis stuff,  I will say that Lexxi does an awesome hair solo and is never EVER without a mirror while on stage (and probably off stage as well) and his a helluva bass player just quietly.

I'm a STEEL FANTHER

SO..there you go...I highly recommend you become a Steel Fanther...if nothing else you will end up with a smile...and that cant be a bad thing

Thunder...Legend isnt strong enough a word

There are some bands that just grab hold and refuse to let go...and I can safely say that Thunder is just such a band...I first saw them in a local gig guide in London town sometime around 89 when i was on a Contiki piss up tour of Europe THEN I saw them at a gig at the Town & Country before I hit the continent and that was me hooked ...I even went back to Donnington when they were playing with Whitesnake etc..rather expensive year that one....

ANYWAY.... a few years went by and at the $ten dollar c.d shop in Sydney I saw a Thunder compilation and wasnt I a happy f**ker ...thankfully shortly after a few more of their albums showed up in Sydney stores and I bought them all....Hell, I even jumped on their website and bought a mountain of visual entertainment...

SO, in the tradition of great blues englsh rock bands...I present for your enjoyment ...THUNDER....get amongst it !

Vocalist Danny Bowes and lead guitarist Luke Morley first played together when they were 15-year-old classmates in London. The two later formed the band Terraplane, which released two albums but broke up in 1988. 

Bowes, Morley, and drummer Gary "Harry" James then formed Thunder, recruiting bassist Mark "Snake" Luckhurst and rhythm guitarist Ben Matthews. The group's first two singles both hit the U.K. Top 40 and earned Thunder a support slot for Aerosmith and a gig at the 1990 Monsters of Rock festival. Backstreet Symphony, released just a year and a half after the group's live debut, reached the U.K.'s Top 20 and was certified gold. The follow-up, Laughing on Judgement Day, appeared in 1992, followed three years later by Behind Closed Doors. 1996 saw the release of their fourth full-length album, the radio-ready Thrill of it All. A series of live recordings and compilations peppered the next five to seven years, followed by the arrival of 2003's Shooting at the Sun. 2005 saw the release of Magnificent Seven, followed by Robert Johnson's Tombstone in 2006, all three of which were put out on the Frontiers label.

If the grunge revolution hadn't occurred in the early '90s, there's a chance that Thunder would have followed the likes of Whitesnake and Bon Jovi up the charts. Already blowing up back home in the U.K. (with their 1990 debut Backstreet Symphony), the group enjoyed some spins on Headbanger's Ball in the U.S., and made admirers the likes of David Coverdale and Axl Rose. 

But unlike most of the other similarly styled metal bands that seemed to vanish during the early to mid-'90s, Thunder continued to issue albums and 2005 saw the release of The Magnificent Seventh!. Unlike some other acts from the hair metal era who decided to update their sound upon returning to the scene in the early 21st century, Thunder continue on in the melodic rock direction they've followed all along, as evidenced by such tracks as "I Love You More Than Rock n' Roll" and "Monkey See, Monkey Do."

Luke Morley and Danny Bowes first met at Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College in 1975. At the age of 14  Danny talked his way into a band Luke had formed with Paul Caple, he couldn't play an instrument so claimed to be a singer; the band auditioned him and he was deemed good enough to join. The boy he replaced was pushed aside to become a bass player but by a twist of fate would one day become Thunder's manager. 

The band went on to call themselves Nuthin' Fancy, in following years they played in pubs around the London area and released an independent single ‘Looking For A Good Time’. When Harry James joined after the previous drummer left, the band renamed themselves Terraplane. As Terraplane they played many gigs, including regular gigs at the Marquee Club and a performance at the 1982 Reading Festival. They were signed by Epic Records and ultimately released two albums, but they became frustrated by the more pop orientated direction the record company was guiding them in. After a trip to the US showed them that there was a vibrant rock scene developing they realised that there was a place for the sort of music they wanted to make and came back to England to form Thunder. 

Thunder were signed quickly with EMI after performing a demo audition in 1989, and soon began recording their first album Back Street Symphony. With their producer, Andy Taylor (of Duran Duran) they created many blues-rock and atmospheric ballads, steering away from the melodic power pop of their previous band. The album was a huge success in the UK, helped by a prestigious appearance opening the 1990 Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park. Their performance at this event was almost universally praised and elevated them to new levels of popularity.

A follow-up album, Laughing on Judgement Day appeared in 1992 and reached number 2 in the album charts at a time when the grunge scene was beginning to change the hard rock landscape. All four singles released from the album were Top 40 successes, and A Better Man made the UK Top 20 in early-1993. However, this period was the most turbulent in the band's career; Snake quit the band after the subsequent tour and was replaced by Swedish bass player Mikael Höglund. Meantime, rumours of an approach by Whitesnake singer David Coverdale to recruit Luke Morley were circulating (Although in 2002 Danny Bowes stated that "the whole thing was made up" by the band to engineer some press interest). and it would be another two years before the third album appeared.

That album, Behind Closed Doors was reasonably successful, reaching number 5 in the album charts, despite this it was to be the band's last studio album for EMI, and they parted company with the label with a compilation: Their Finest Hour... And A Bit, notable for its inclusion of several unreleased tracks, in particular a cover of the Python Lee Jackson song In a Broken Dream. For personal reasons Mikael Höglund was unable to participate in the recording of the band's fourth album The Thrill Of It All; Luke Morley handled bass duties and the album was released on the independent B Lucky record label. The band recruited bassist Chris Childs for the tour; and he remained with them for the rest of their career..

In 1998, the band released Live. The album was a concert recorded at Wolverhampton and Shepherd's Bush Empire in London. A DVD was released also featuring the video to the album. Later that year two EPs were released containing the single The Only One. One EP featured the studio recording while the other featured the live version. Both EPs contained three extra bonus tracks.

In 1999 they released their fifth studio album "Giving The Game Away"; toning the guitars down in favour of a mellower approach with more keyboards. This album was released to coincide with the band's tenth anniversary; however they announced in autumn 1999 that they were to split, much to the dismay of their fanbase, many of whom had followed them from the beginning. Following a UK tour in November 1999, and some dates in Japan in early 2000, they bowed out on 4 May 2000 with a show at Camden Dingwalls in London, which was recorded for the album They Think It's All Over... It Is Now.

Luke Morley returned to the scene the following year with the solo album El Gringo Retro and played a brace of live shows at the Borderline in London, backed by virtually all of his former bandmates (Danny Bowes being the exception) and with the McDonald sisters on backing vocals Tara McDonald & Anna McDonald. Morley and Bowes reunited in 2002 for the soul influenced album Moving Swiftly Along again with Tara McDonald & Anna McDonald on backing vocals......In 2009, Luke Morley teamed up with Peter Shoulder to form The Union (band), who released their first album in 2010 and second in 2011.

Thunder were tempted back into action by a slot on the touring Monsters of Rock UK arena shows in late 2002. They returned in November 2003 with a new album called Shooting at the Sun released on their own label - STC Recordings.

Their second self-released album, The Magnificent Seventh spawned a top 30 single, "I Love You More Than Rock And Roll" in March 2005, reaching #27 in the UK Singles Chart.
Their resurgence can be traced through the venues booked for their live tours. In 2006 Thunder returned, for the first time since the days of the EMI released Back Street Symphony album, to headline the Hammersmith Apollo at the end of a 12 date UK tour.
The band also took part in the return of the Monsters of Rock festival in 2006 at Milton Keynes, sharing the bill with Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Journey, Queensrÿche, Ted Nugent and Roadstar. Hailed as one of the stars of the show Thunder justified their reputation as one of the best British live acts.

The band released their eighth studio album on 30 October 2006, entitled Robert Johnson's Tombstone. It follows Thunder's traditions of good honest blues rock albums, with big riffs and big sing-along choruses....The single "The Devil Made Me Do It" taken from this album reached #40 in the UK Singles Chart on 10 December 2006, and the video, produced and animated by Andy Doran, also enjoyed significant success on its first week when uploaded to the YouTube site, and has received airplay on Scuzz TV.

Thunder undertook a European Tour in early 2007, their first in nearly 12 years, playing small venues in Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Italy. A further UK tour took place in November and December 2007. In February 2008 it was announced Thunder would be the opening act on the second leg of Def Leppard and Whitesnake's co-headline UK arena tour. The second leg in July 2008 opened in Cardiff International Arena before heading to Liverpool Arena and Nottingham Arena.

Thunder released their ninth studio album 'Bang!' in the UK on 3 November 2008 through their own STC label and in mainland Europe via Frontiers Records on 7 November 2008.[4] While writing the album they released three limited edition EPs, Six Of One,...Half A Dozen Of The Other and The Joy Of Six.

Thunder announced a decision to split ("hitch up our wagons and ride into the sunset") on 28 January 2009 via their website. The band cited outside interests as the reasons for the split with members of the band playing in other bands when not touring with Thunder. Bowes mentioned the stresses of managing a website for the band, along with management and vocal duties taking their toll, added to the decision to split. Many tributes from classic rock websites and radio shows were published[who?] along with well wishes from fans.

 The band played at Download-2009 (Tuborg stage) on Sat 13 June 2009, toured Europe and Japan before returning home for the British leg of their farewell tour in July 2009, their final full gig was played at the Hammersmith Apollo on 11 July, however the band made an appearance at the Rock of Ages festival in Germany on 31 July. Their very final appearance took place at the Sonisphere Festival, Knebworth where thanks to another band pulling out they were able to arrange a place on the bill at late notice. On Saturday 1 August 2009 at around 11pm Thunder took to the stage in a packed Bohemia tent and played a short final set.

Harry James has appeared as Magnums drummer. Danny Bowes has appeared as occasional vocalist for Kenney Jones's band the "Jones Gang" singing live at Kenney's Polo Club. Luke Morley has teamed up with Peter Shoulder in the band "The Union" and has played the High Voltage Festival in 2010. Chris Childs has joined the "Ultimate Eagles" an Eagles tribute band and toured extensively.

In February 2011, it was announced that the band would reunite for a one-off live performance, at that year's High Voltage Festival in July 2011. Thunder played on the Sunday and were 3rd on the bill below Dream Theater and Black Country Communion.

Thunder played two Sold-Out Christmas Shows on 20/21 December 2011 at Nottingham Rock City.....In January 2012 Danny and Ben played a tour under the title of "Danny & Ben From Thunder" performing acoustic versions of Thunder songs, cover versions and telling stories of Thunder on the road. 

In April 2012 it was announced that Thunder would play a Christmas show at Manchester Academy on 21 December 2012. The show sold out within 6 hours of tickets going on sale, leading to the announcement of another show at the same venue the following night. This also sold out well before the show.

The band toured the UK with Whitesnake and Journey in May 2013.... Thunder also played the Download festival 2013 on 15 June on the Zippo Encore second stage. They  also performed at Wacken Open Air 2013 on 1 August.

Members

Danny Bowes - lead vocals (1980-2000, 2002-2009, 2011-2013)

Luke Morley - guitar, vocals (1980-2000, 2002-2009, 2011-2013)

Paul Caple - drums, percussion (1980-1983)

Mac McKenzie - bass guitar (1980-1983)

Gary 'Harry' James - drums, percussion (1983-2000, 2002-2009, 2011-2013)

Nick Linden - bass guitar (1983-1989)

Rudi Rivière - guitar (1985-1989)

Ben Matthews - guitar, keyboards (1989-2000, 2002-2009, 2011-2013)

Mark 'Snake' Luckhurst - bass guitar (1989-1992)

Mikael Höglund - bass guitar (1993-1996)

Chris Childs - bass guitar (1996-2000, 2002-2009, 2011-2013)

1990 Backstreet Symphony

1992 Laughing on Judgement Day

1995 Behind Closed Doors

1997 The Thrill of It All

1999 Giving the Game Away

2003 Shooting at the Sun

2005 The Magnificent Seventh

2006 Robert Johnson's Tombstone

2008 Bang!

The Thunder site

THE UNION SITE

LUKE'S CURRENT GIG.....THE UNION

After the breakup of Thunder in August 2009, guitarist Luke Morley announced that he had formed a new group with Pete Shoulder, whose previous band, Winterville, had split in 2007. The band was to be called The Union. The pair had met each other eight years previously and had "worked together ever since whenever our previous commitments allowed us time". Chris Childs (also previously in Thunder) and Phil Martini (from Down 'n' Outz) were later named as the bassist and drummer respectively for the band, although not as 'full' members of the group, as they intend to have a more "fluid line-up"

Band members

Luke Morley - guitars and backing vocals (2009–present)

Peter Shoulder - lead vocals and guitars (2009–present)

Chris Childs - bass guitar (2009–present)

Phil Martini - drums (2009–present)

Dave McCluskey - drums (September 2010–present)

Former

Geoff Holroyde - drums (April 2010-August 2010)

Discography

Studio albums

2010 The Union

2011 Siren's Song

2013 The World Is Yours

Legend isnt a strong enough word