Spice avoided playing covers and, according to Box, always strove ".to do something original." Managed initially by Newton's father, the band climbed their way up to The Marquee level, then got signed by Gerry Bron (the Hit Record Productions Ltd.'s boss) who saw the band at the Blues Loft club in High Wycombe. Drummer Alex Napier (born 1947 in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland) joined, having answered a music paper ad bassist Paul Newton of the Gods completed the line-up. David Garrick changed his surname to Byron. Box and Garrick formed a songwriting partnership and, having higher musical aspirations than their colleagues, decided to give up their day jobs and go professional.
When the band's singer left, drummer Roger Penlington suggested his cousin David Garrick (who knew the band) as a replacement.
The band's origins go back to 1967 when 19-year-old guitarist Mick Box formed a band in Brentwood called Hogwash, which began playing in local clubs and pubs. In the late 1970s the band had massive success in Germany, where the " Lady in Black" single was a big hit. 7 in 1975), while of the fifteen Billboard 200 Uriah Heep albums, Demons and Wizards was the most successful (No. Twelve of the band's studio albums have made it to the UK Albums Chart ( Return to Fantasy reached No. Uriah Heep have released twenty-four studio albums of original material, twenty live albums and forty-one compilation albums (including two greatest hits albums). They also maintain a significant following and perform at arena-sized venues in the Balkans, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Finland and Scandinavia. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide with over four million sales in the U.S, where its best-known songs include " Gypsy", " Easy Livin'", " The Wizard", " Sweet Lorraine", and " Stealin'". Uriah Heep were part of the early 1970s rock scene, and have been referred to as pioneers of the hard rock, heavy metal and progressive rock genres. Notable former members of the band are vocalists David Byron, John Lawton, John Sloman, Peter Goalby, and Steff Fontaine, bassists Gary Thain, Trevor Bolder, John Wetton, Bob Daisley, Paul Newton, and John Jowitt, drummers Nigel Olsson, Lee Kerslake and Chris Slade, and keyboardists Ken Hensley and John Sinclair. They have experienced numerous lineup changes throughout their 53-year career, leaving Box as the only remaining original member. Their current lineup consists of lead and rhythm guitarist Mick Box, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, lead vocalist Bernie Shaw, drummer Russell Gilbrook, and bassist Dave Rimmer. Writer(s): HENSLEYLyrics powered by Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969. We let it pass us by Through you tried to keep me hanging on But with all this doubt It'll never work out So tomorrow I'll be travelling on And saying so long easy rider I know I'll miss you for a while But sooner or later I know that I'll forget you Free me oh yeah Come on and free me Why don't you free me Free me from your spell Oh yeah Come on and free me Why don't you free me Free me from your spell Free me Oh bab' come on and free me Free me. Your sweet memory will always comfort me So why should I be feeling sad As far as I can tell You knew so well I was always at the end of the line I've loved you as much As any man can But not enough to make you mine So long easy rider I know I'll miss you for a while But sooner or later I know that I'll forget you And I tell your baby Free me Come on and free me. Why should I worry that you might not love you're not The only love that I've ever had. Free me Free me Why don't you free me Free me from your spell Come on and free me Why don't you free me Come on and free me Free me from your spell.