OK, Grand Prix. Should have got around to writing about them sooner. Very much of the early NWOBHM era being around for a few years at the start of the 1980s. They had a more polished sound that most with melodic/pomp influences though they could still rock with the best of them. Just three albums and it was all over for Grand Prix and in that short time some very notable luminaries passed through the ranks. Let’s take a look…….
The original line up included Bernie Shaw (Praying Mantis, Stratus, Uriah Heep), Phil Lanzon (Sad Cafe, Stratus, Uriah Heep and Blizzard of Oz drummer Andy Beirne. Their first album was issued in (I think) 1980 and did make a bit of a splash getting them noticed enough to bag a support slot touring with Manfed Mann’s Earth Band. A promising start.
After touring, progress was made on what would become their second album – There For None To See – however that wouldn’t bring good news for Shaw as he was ousted in favour of Robin McAuley who of course would later go on to work with the likes of Michael Schenker. There For None To See almost made Grand Prix pop stars would you believe when a single taken from the album – Keep On Believing – cracked the UK top 100 chart at the nose bleed inducing heights of number 75 or thereabouts.
As with many bands associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era, Grand Prix attracted not-inconsiderable critical acclaim – as shown by a high profile support slot with Sammy Hager (I saw them on that tour – great stuff. Sammy was at his peak and GP were top drawer too) – though not as much commercial success as they deserved.
Things were looking good and with some momentum behind them their third, and final, album appeared entitled Samurai. That momentum appeared to be gathering steam with yet another stratospheric support slot – this time with Iron Maiden although it would trigger the beginning of the end.
Beirne quit in 1983. The band tried to soldier on recruiting Clive Edwards to thump the tubs before the curtain came down in 1984.
All a bit of a shame as those three albums Grand Prix did put out are in my opinion amongst the finest, and most under-rated, products of NWOBHM. Finely crafted song-smithing from very talented personnel combining straight ahead heavy rock with a bit of pomp and a bit of melody thrown in.
The good news is that even now, thirty years on, the three Grand Prix albums are all available on CD for your aural delectation. Discover (or rediscover) for yourself just how good they were. Strong releases that still stand up to be counted today. Arguably the best of the three is Samurai and the golden voice of McAuley.
Even better news – Samurai has just been reissued in a Special Limited Deluxe Collector s Edition. It’s fully re-mastered, contains two bonus tracks, 16 page full colour booklet and a cherry on top. I’m listening to it now. Fantastic.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE GRAND PRIX SAMURAI RE-ISSUE ON AMAZON
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