Six Song Sunday (04/21)

Good morning and happy Sunday, all. Hope everyone has been having a restful, enjoyable weekend.

I thought I would roll out a few more tunes that y’all might not know or haven’t heard for a spell just for the hell of it.

“Jelly Roll” – Blue Murder

Led by former Whitesnake guitarist John Sykes, Blue Murder was formed after Sykes, and the rest of the band who recorded Whitesnake’s blockbuster 1987 self-titled album, were sacked by vocalist David Coverdale (the band you see in the 80s videos, with the obvious exception of D.C., is not the band who recorded the album).

Blue Murder scored minor success with this single, and their album cracked the Top 200 in 1989. They released one more studio album in 1993. John Sykes is a killer guitarist/singer, and it’s unfortunate more folks don’t know about him.

“High Wire” – Badlands

Another guitarist who was fired from a major act in the late 80s, Jake E. Lee, who played with Ozzy Osbourne on Bark At The Moon and The Ultimate Sin, was fired by Sharon Osbourne and formed Badlands in 1988. Their debut album was released in 1989 as well. With a hot lead off single like “High Wire”, it’s a wonder this album was not a bigger success. Jake E. Lee is another highly underrated player. He had the unenviable task of succeeding the late, great Randy Rhoads in Ozzy’s band, and I don’t think he ever got his due.

“Hero” – Ozzy Osbourne

Speaking of Ozzy, here’s a track off his 1988 album No Rest For The Wicked. It features the debut of longtime Ozzy collaborator Zakk Wylde, who was 19 years old at the time of this album’s recording. At the time of release, “Hero” was an unlisted track on the album. A hidden gem, if you will. It also happens to be one of my favorite off this release.

“The Little Things” – Rich Wyman feat. Eddie Van Halen

Rich Wyman is a singer/songwriter who has performed with, or opened for, several national acts, and also records and tours under his own name. He was a friend of Eddie Van Halen, and they collaborated on a couple songs together for Rich’s 1996 album Fatherless Child. This will come as a shock to absolutely no one, but if it has Eddie on it, I probably love it. This is a fantastic song on it’s own, but throw EVH in the mix? Winning.

RIP, Eddie. Still missing ya.

“Bonfire” – Warrant

Off of Warrant’s 1992 album Dog Eat Dog, this track, and subsequent ones, never really got off the ground, thanks to a little thing called Grunge. Jani Lane often recounted visiting the record label offices and seeing Alice In Chains posters all over the main lobby. He said at that point he knew the ship had sailed, and record company support would be nonexistent. In a twist of irony, the same critics who dismissed their previous releases, bestowed Dog Eat Dog with mostly positive reviews. It actually is full of great tunes, and it’s unfortunate it never really saw success.

“I’m So Hot For You” – Twisted Sister

Originally meant to be a Dee Snider solo album, record company pressure meant that 1987’s Love Is For Suckers ended up being released under the Twisted Sister name. The recording of this album was known for the departure of original drummer A.J. Pero, and the producer of the record using an outside guitarist (Reb Beach of Winger) on several cuts. The subsequent tour lasted a month, at the conclusion of which, Dee Snider announced he was leaving the band. The album actually has some very solid tracks, and again, ironically, received several good reviews.

So, that’s it for this week. Hope you enjoy listening to some of these. Have a good one! 🤘