Angel (band)
Encyclopedia
Angel is a glam rock
and heavy metal
band from Washington, D.C.
, formed in the mid-70s by Punky Meadows
and Mickie Jones. They were signed to Casablanca Records
, and had the image of dressing in white.
bass player Gene Simmons
performing at a nightclub and was eventually signed to the same label as KISS, Casablanca
.
Angel's image of dressing in all white was a deliberate contrast to Kiss, which wore black. Angel sported an androgynous image and elaborate stage sets. It was slammed by rock critics, and Frank Zappa
ridiculed the all-male band’s female appearance in the song “Punky’s Whips.” Angel never achieved mass commercial success but acquired a following as a cult band.
Its first album was the self-titled Angel and consisted of guitarist Punky Meadows
, bassist Mickie Jones, vocalist Frank Dimino, keyboardist Gregg Giuffria
, and drummer Barry Brandt. This lineup would hold for the following two albums, Helluva Band
and On Earth as It Is in Heaven
, after which Jones would be replaced by Felix Robinson.
It made an appearance in the film Foxes and Frank DiMino sang “Seduce Me Tonight” on the Flashdance
soundtrack.
Although Angel never officially disbanded, members went on to other things following the release of their live album. Lead vocalist Frank Dimino joined UFO
guitarist Paul Raymond in the Paul Raymond Project in which he sang lead vocals. Bassist Felix Robinson played on the debut album of the band White Lion
, Fight to Survive
. Angel’s keyboardist Gregg Giuffria
had modest success as the leader of the band Giuffria
during the 1980s as well as with the band House of Lords
, who - sans Giuffria - reunited in 2002 and released a new album The Power and the Myth
on Frontiers Records
. In 2006, Giuffira appeared as a guest keyboardist on House of Lords' World Upside Down
LP, and they released Come to My Kingdom
in 2008 without Giuffria.
In the late ’90s, Angel reformed with a new line-up. Keyboardist Gordon G.G. Gebert joined the band in 1999 but left in 2002. Currently, the band members are Frank Dimino, vocals; Barry Brandt, drums; Randy Gregg, bass; Steve Blaze
, guitars; and Michael T. Ross
, keyboards. The band’s 2000 release In the Beginning also features guest appearances by original guitarist Punky Meadows
, as well as Robinson. In 2000 came the release of Angel: The Collection, making it the most extensive Angel greatest hits compilation that included 16 songs.
In 2006, Lilith
released two singles albums which has singles released through the band’s career (1975-1981), and even though it has most singles released at that time it does not include “Better Days” which was taken off the White Hot album and replaced with “The Winter Song.” This song remains unreleased on CD or cassette format. It is however available as a 7" single but is very hard to find. Angel is now working on a new album, which so far has no name, but has three songs written for it. They are: “Worship the Sun”, “Hold On To Your Dreams”, and the third untitled song.
Bassist and founding member Mickie Jones died in San Dimas
, California
on 5 September 2009, after a long battle with liver cancer. Jones performed on four Angel albums (Angel, Helluva Band
, On Earth As It Is In Heaven
, and An Anthology
). He toured extensively with the band in the United States for several years. Before Angel he played in the rock group BUX
, which included guitarist Punky Meadows
(Angel) and singer Ralph Morman (Joe Perry Project and Savoy Brown
). BUX
released one album on Capitol Records
, We Come to Play in 1976. Both Jones and Meadows were asked to join the New York Dolls
but declined. After leaving Angel he formed the LA band Empire and was the lead singer. Empire included drummer Steve Riley
(LA Guns). Over the years he became interested in film production and would later work in the film industry.
Singer Frank DiMino now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada
and plays in classic rock tribute bands. Recently, he appeared on the Sin City Sinners
Christmas
album, singing lead vocals on the holiday classic Winter Wonderland
.
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, formed in the mid-70s by Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows is an American guitarist known for his glam image as a member of the band Angel.-Background and Early Career:...
and Mickie Jones. They were signed to Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records was an American record label started by Neil Bogart, who partnered with Cecil Holmes, Larry Harris, and Buck Reingold in 1973, and based in Los Angeles. The label was formed after all of them had left Buddah Records and secured financing by Warner Bros. Records to start the venture...
, and had the image of dressing in white.
History
Angel was discovered by KISSKISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
bass player Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
performing at a nightclub and was eventually signed to the same label as KISS, Casablanca
Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records was an American record label started by Neil Bogart, who partnered with Cecil Holmes, Larry Harris, and Buck Reingold in 1973, and based in Los Angeles. The label was formed after all of them had left Buddah Records and secured financing by Warner Bros. Records to start the venture...
.
Angel's image of dressing in all white was a deliberate contrast to Kiss, which wore black. Angel sported an androgynous image and elaborate stage sets. It was slammed by rock critics, and Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
ridiculed the all-male band’s female appearance in the song “Punky’s Whips.” Angel never achieved mass commercial success but acquired a following as a cult band.
Its first album was the self-titled Angel and consisted of guitarist Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows is an American guitarist known for his glam image as a member of the band Angel.-Background and Early Career:...
, bassist Mickie Jones, vocalist Frank Dimino, keyboardist Gregg Giuffria
Gregg Giuffria
Gregg Giuffria is an American rock keyboardist. He was the keyboardist for heavy metal bands, Angel, and House of Lords, and arena rock band, Giuffria....
, and drummer Barry Brandt. This lineup would hold for the following two albums, Helluva Band
Helluva Band
Helluva Band is the second album by the rock band Angel. On this album Angel explores the heavier side of progressive rock, but still offers arguably one of their most progressive songs to date: "The Fortune."-Track listing:...
and On Earth as It Is in Heaven
On Earth As It Is In Heaven
On Earth As It Is In Heaven is the third album by the rock band Angel. This marks the last album with Mickie Jones who was the band's bass player since 1974. It was produced by Eddie Kramer and recorded in an actual castle in the Hollywood Hills...
, after which Jones would be replaced by Felix Robinson.
It made an appearance in the film Foxes and Frank DiMino sang “Seduce Me Tonight” on the Flashdance
Flashdance
Another song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
soundtrack.
Although Angel never officially disbanded, members went on to other things following the release of their live album. Lead vocalist Frank Dimino joined UFO
UFO (band)
UFO are an English heavy metal and hard rock band, who were formed in 1969. UFO became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
guitarist Paul Raymond in the Paul Raymond Project in which he sang lead vocals. Bassist Felix Robinson played on the debut album of the band White Lion
White Lion
White Lion is an American/Danish hard rock/heavy metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, the band achieved double platinum status with their #8 hit "Wait" and #3 hit "When the...
, Fight to Survive
Fight to Survive
Fight to Survive was the first album by the American/Danish hard rock band White Lion, released by Victor Records in Japan in 1985. The band was signed to Elektra Records, which shelved the album with no intention of publishing it in the USA. Philadelphia-based Grand Slamm Records bought the album...
. Angel’s keyboardist Gregg Giuffria
Gregg Giuffria
Gregg Giuffria is an American rock keyboardist. He was the keyboardist for heavy metal bands, Angel, and House of Lords, and arena rock band, Giuffria....
had modest success as the leader of the band Giuffria
Giuffria
Giuffria was an American rock band that was formed in 1982 by Gregg Giuffria after his departure from the band Angel, a glam rock/heavy metal band from Washington, D.C..- History of the band :...
during the 1980s as well as with the band House of Lords
House of Lords (band)
House of Lords is a hard rock/AOR band from Los Angeles, California.-History:House of Lords was formed in 1987 by former Angel member and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria from his solo project Giuffria...
, who - sans Giuffria - reunited in 2002 and released a new album The Power and the Myth
The Power And The Myth
The Power and the Myth is the fourth studio album and the first since the reunion, by House of Lords, released on August 3, 2004.The album marks the return of original members Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola and Ken Mary, but is the first not to feature keyboardist, main songwriter and founding member...
on Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
. In 2006, Giuffira appeared as a guest keyboardist on House of Lords' World Upside Down
World Upside Down
World Upside Down is the fifth studio album , by House of Lords, released on May 23, 2006.The album features founding member James Christian once again with an all-new line-up, as he is the only one of the original members left on the line-up...
LP, and they released Come to My Kingdom
Come to My Kingdom
Come to My Kingdom is the sixth studio album by House of Lords, released on March 17, 2008 in Europe and October 7, 2008 in the US.The album features the same line-up as the previous album World Upside Down and was produced by singer James Christian and Jeff Kent who also co-wrote most all of the...
in 2008 without Giuffria.
In the late ’90s, Angel reformed with a new line-up. Keyboardist Gordon G.G. Gebert joined the band in 1999 but left in 2002. Currently, the band members are Frank Dimino, vocals; Barry Brandt, drums; Randy Gregg, bass; Steve Blaze
Steve Blaze
Steve Blaze is the guitarist for the groups Angel, Lillian Axe, and Near Life Experience.- References :...
, guitars; and Michael T. Ross
Michael T. Ross
Michael T. Ross is a rock keyboardist, located in Hollywood, CA.In 2002, Michael joined as keyboardist for the group Hardline releasing " II", with special guest Neal Schon on Frontiers Records . A DVD was also released, headlining the 'Gods' Festival in the UK.In 2003, Ross joined "Angel"...
, keyboards. The band’s 2000 release In the Beginning also features guest appearances by original guitarist Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows is an American guitarist known for his glam image as a member of the band Angel.-Background and Early Career:...
, as well as Robinson. In 2000 came the release of Angel: The Collection, making it the most extensive Angel greatest hits compilation that included 16 songs.
In 2006, Lilith
Lilith
Lilith is a character in Jewish mythology, found earliest in the Babylonian Talmud, who is generally thought to be related to a class of female demons Līlīṯu in Mesopotamian texts. However, Lowell K. Handy notes, "Very little information has been found relating to the Akkadian and Babylonian view...
released two singles albums which has singles released through the band’s career (1975-1981), and even though it has most singles released at that time it does not include “Better Days” which was taken off the White Hot album and replaced with “The Winter Song.” This song remains unreleased on CD or cassette format. It is however available as a 7" single but is very hard to find. Angel is now working on a new album, which so far has no name, but has three songs written for it. They are: “Worship the Sun”, “Hold On To Your Dreams”, and the third untitled song.
Bassist and founding member Mickie Jones died in San Dimas
San Dimas, California
San Dimas is a city located in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 33,371. The city historically took its name from San Dismas Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains above the northern section of present day San Dimas...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on 5 September 2009, after a long battle with liver cancer. Jones performed on four Angel albums (Angel, Helluva Band
Helluva Band
Helluva Band is the second album by the rock band Angel. On this album Angel explores the heavier side of progressive rock, but still offers arguably one of their most progressive songs to date: "The Fortune."-Track listing:...
, On Earth As It Is In Heaven
On Earth As It Is In Heaven
On Earth As It Is In Heaven is the third album by the rock band Angel. This marks the last album with Mickie Jones who was the band's bass player since 1974. It was produced by Eddie Kramer and recorded in an actual castle in the Hollywood Hills...
, and An Anthology
An Anthology
An Anthology is the second, and most extensive compilation album, eighth album in total, released by Casablanca Records for Angel in 1992...
). He toured extensively with the band in the United States for several years. Before Angel he played in the rock group BUX
BUX (band)
BUX was an American hard rock/boogie rock band that is best known for having lead guitarist Punky Meadows and bassist Mickie Jones both of who joined Angel, and lead singer Ralph Morman who was with the Joe Perry Project from 1979–1981 and Savoy Brown from 1981-1982.-Origins:James Newlon formed...
, which included guitarist Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows
Punky Meadows is an American guitarist known for his glam image as a member of the band Angel.-Background and Early Career:...
(Angel) and singer Ralph Morman (Joe Perry Project and Savoy Brown
Savoy Brown
Savoy Brown, originally known as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, are a British blues rock band, formed in 1965, in Battersea, South West London...
). BUX
BUX (band)
BUX was an American hard rock/boogie rock band that is best known for having lead guitarist Punky Meadows and bassist Mickie Jones both of who joined Angel, and lead singer Ralph Morman who was with the Joe Perry Project from 1979–1981 and Savoy Brown from 1981-1982.-Origins:James Newlon formed...
released one album on Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, We Come to Play in 1976. Both Jones and Meadows were asked to join the New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
but declined. After leaving Angel he formed the LA band Empire and was the lead singer. Empire included drummer Steve Riley
Steve Riley
Steve Riley is a rock drummer who has played in various bands including W.A.S.P., Roadmaster, The B'zz, Steppenwolf, and since 1987 he's been the drummer for L.A. Guns. Selling over six million records over three decades, Steve has been regarded as one of the best rock drummers of his generation...
(LA Guns). Over the years he became interested in film production and would later work in the film industry.
Singer Frank DiMino now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
and plays in classic rock tribute bands. Recently, he appeared on the Sin City Sinners
Sin City Sinners
Sin City Sinners is a group of prominent musicians who perform self-penned originals and rock and roll covers at key venues throughout Las Vegas, Nevada...
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
album, singing lead vocals on the holiday classic Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
"Winter Wonderland" is a winter song, popularly treated as a Christmastime pop standard, written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith . Through the decades it has been recorded by over 150 different artists.-History:...
.
Studio
- Angel (1975)
- Helluva BandHelluva BandHelluva Band is the second album by the rock band Angel. On this album Angel explores the heavier side of progressive rock, but still offers arguably one of their most progressive songs to date: "The Fortune."-Track listing:...
(1976) - On Earth As It Is In HeavenOn Earth As It Is In HeavenOn Earth As It Is In Heaven is the third album by the rock band Angel. This marks the last album with Mickie Jones who was the band's bass player since 1974. It was produced by Eddie Kramer and recorded in an actual castle in the Hollywood Hills...
(1977) - White HotWhite Hot (album)White Hot is the fourth album by the rock band Angel. After the release of On Earth As It Is In Heaven, bass player Mickie Jones left and was replaced by Felix Robinson who would be the bass player until Angel's breakup in 1981. This album contains Angel's biggest and only Top 50 hit Ain't Gonna...
(1978) - SinfulSinful (album)Sinful is the fifth album by the rock band Angel. It was the band's most pop-oriented album. The album was originally titled Bad Publicity, and a few copies of the album with that title and a different album cover were sold before being replaced. The album went to #159 on the Pop Album Charts in...
(1979) (original title: Bad Publicity) - In the Beginning (1999)
Live
- Live Without a NetLive Without A Net (album)Live Without A Net is the first live album, sixth in total, by the rock band Angel. It would be the band's last album before breaking up in 1981. The band had hoped that their live album would bring them commercial success, like the album Alive! did for Kiss, but it didn't, leading to Angel's...
(1980) - Angel:Live in Sweden (2001)
Compilation
- Can You Feel ItCan You Feel It (album)Can You Feel It is the first greatest hits album, and seventh album in total, released by Angel in 1989. It includes songs from their last three albums and one from the Foxes soundtrack...
(1989) - An Anthology (1992)
- Angel: The Collection (2000)
- Angel: The Singles Collection Volume 1 (2006)
- Angel: The Singles Collection Volume 2 (2006)
- {a rock and roll christmas II}" (album) christmas song.(1998) .
Bootlegs
- Blowing Great Guns (5-10-1978)
- White Heroes (5-10-1978)
- WhipsWhipsWhips may refer to:*Whip plural.*Political Whip.*An acronym: WHIPS, Whiplash Injury Protection System....
(1981) - Troubleshooter (1981)
- Should've Known Better (1981)