Mixed Music Bag – week 16 – Heavy Metal Kids?

Half way through April already. The MMB theme is to find a group or solo singer who’s name begins with G or H

Heavy Metal Kids (or ‘Kids’, as they were often known as) are a band that I’ve been lucky enough to see live on three occasions. Twice with original lead singer Gary Holton, who was better known for playing the part of Wayne (a.k.a. London) in the UK television comedy Auf Wiedersehen Pet (1983–1985). He died from an overdose of morphine combined with alcohol in 1985.

The band was formed in 1972 by the merger of two previous bands: Heaven and Biggles. They took their name from a gang of street kids, featured in the novel Nova Express by William S. Burroughs. They were classed as a glam-rock band rather than heavy metal of course.

The initial, pre-recording line-up consisted of Mickey Waller (guitar), Ronnie Thomas (bass, backing vocals), Gary Holton (lead vocals), Keith Boyce (drums) and Cosmo (guitar). They were the first signing by Atlantic records’ new London offices, having been spotted by their A&R man, Dave Dee. In 1973, they were joined by keyboard player Danny Peyronel. In January 1974, they recorded their first, self-titled album, produced by Dave Dee and engineered by Phil Chapman.

Waller left the band shortly before they went in to Island Studios, to record the follow-up album Anvil Chorus, in January 1975, which was produced by Andy Johns. At this point Danny Peyronel left to join UFO and was replaced by John Sinclair. Shortly after, Cosmo was replaced by Barry Paul, and the band moved to Mickie Most’s RAK Records where they recorded Kitsch, which was produced by Most. John Sinclair left to join Uriah Heep and was replaced by Jay Williams. Keith Boyce left and was replaced by Ricky Squires, previously of the Dead End Kids.

They had little success in the UK but the single She’s No Angel was a hit in 1976. I’ve chosen one of my favourite tracks from their debut album.