MUSIC WEEK APRIL 15, 1978 a C N Keep Sweeps on in Europe But
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MUSIC WEEK APRIL 15, 1978 a n c Keep sweeps on In Europe but not in Britain THE SUCCESS of British rock Most UK record buyers think of band Uriah Heep continues Heep as being an albums band." unabated in Europe. Apart from EDITED BY Heep member Ken Hensley, one being huge record sellers in such CHRIS WHITE of the main creative talents of the record markets as Holland and West band, is equally puzzled. "The ^ (y Germany, the band has also Russian success is particularly conquered the French market — strange as we've never even been always noted for its domestic taste sales), Belgium, Holland, there; we've no idea even how they so far as pop and rock music is Switzerland and Austria. Recently get the records. I keep meaning to : j*** i concerned — and even the Russians the USSR issued a Top Ten list of ask the appropriate authorities," he are now beginning to sit up and take the records and Heep's July- says. "There are no immediate plans notice! Morning, a track from the Look At for the band to visit the USSR but 1 Back here in Britain however, Yourself album, never issued here as know that we have all been thinking matters are rather different. Heep a single, was nominated the seventh about the possibilities — if we could have recorded some 14 albums for 'best-selling' record, although the go there without any hassles, then Bronze Records, and the occasional market in Russia for records is we would do it." single is released — a recent one even virtually non-existent. The figures gained them a rare appearance on were based on product being Popularity Top Of The Pops, no mean imported into the USSR, whether it achievement for an outfit renowned be on a legal or black market basis! Hensley also admits that Heep has primarily for album sales. Concert Already this year, Uriah Heep has never found a satisfactory answer to lours are always sell-outs and the appeared in concert before some why singles do so well in Germany LPs are guaranteed big sellers even if 100,000 fans in West Germany. and other European markets but fail not always becoming chart entries. Their first tour attracted 50.000 dismally in the UK. "Our success in ONE OF the biggest selling British rock bands on the continent are Uriah Hcep's European success has been people at the box-office and within Germany is perhaps most surprising Heep, and they were recently presented with more gold discs in West Germany, a continuing love affair between six weeks the band returned for — there Lady In Black was number to add to their rapidly growing collection. The discs were for sales of the Best band and fans for more than five another sell-out tour of major cities. one and we had another single in the Of Uriah Heep album, and the picture shows: left to right, standing, John years now. Album sales there total The singles Lady In Black and Free Top Ten and two albums in the Top Lawton, Gerry Bron (head of the Bron Organisation), Lee Kerslake, Monti some 6.5 million. Major markets Me have both been high in the 20. I do know that the German Luftner (head of Ariola in West Germany), Ken Hensley and Friedel Schmidt include West Germany, France singles chart, and the former has audiences have taken kindly to the (managing director, A riola Germany); sealed, Trevor Bolder and Mick Box. (particularly with regard to LP been awarded Radio Luxembourg's various chages in the personnel of German service Golden Lion Award Uriah Heep during the last couple of for the best single of 1977. The new years, and our popularity there is single, Love Or Nothing, has just stronger than it has ever been." been issued there and is expected to He continues: "The UK has always follow the sales example of its been a peculiar market for us—when predecessors. we released Free Me it made a lot of people sit up and realise that we Mystery meant what we said about changes in the band's musical policy, but Just why is it that Uriah Heep although the record got a lot of have such immense singles success in airplay in Britain it still wasn't a hit. Europe and yet nothing in Britain, It doesn't worry me particularly that so far as such sales are concerned? It we can't get hit singles in the UK — 2)OHt is a mystery both to the record the formula for success is obviously company and the band. different." on Simon Porter, one of the company's promotion men, admits: 'It's a strange situation — there's no Marketing denying that on the continent, Uriah One reason for Uriah Heep's big Heep are one of the biggest record European success must however be lohn Paul You 113 sellers and the band is always in high due to Bronze Records' marketing demand over there. Sales appeal campaigns. The company ensures isn't confined to Europe either, that any album product is given the AR0117 because after their current tour Heep utmost promotion, with members of will be leaving for Japan, Australia the UK company usually flying out and the US, before returning to to the various countries beforehand Britain in July. In Britain though, to supervise the exact campaign the band has never really had a big details. These are usually selling single although the albums synchronised to tie-in with tour always sell thousands of copies. dates. - . V T—. 9 Currently being played on Radio 1 Forth Radio 2 Orwell A Capital Plymouth Luxembourg Thames Valley Piccadilly Metro Hallam Downtown Beacon RECENT SIGNING W CBS in Britain is Dutch Bond Cntppo Sportivo, iv, Clyde first album m Holland, 10 Mistakes, and single Rock And Roll are current Victory the charts over there. The band, who record for Ariola m Holland, claim their music is unique and defies all neat categories', but list such name Frank Zappa, Lewis Furay, Van Dyke Parks, and Nick de Cam, as well passing m erest in Fifties music, amongst their influences! Their firs! albl''n;f'11 be released m May when they will also do UK concert dales. Le. PYE RECORDS (SALES) LTD., 132,WESTERN ROAD, right, (back) Max Mollmger, drummer. Meike Touw, vocals, Eric Wehrmt bass middle, Hans Vandenburg, guitar and vocals. Peter Callic MITCHAM,SURREY, CR4 3UT Telephone 01 640 3344 RECORDS keyboards, and Josee Van lersel, vocals. PAGE 38 .