Black 'N Blue
Encyclopedia
Black 'n Blue is a Hard rock
band from Portland
, Oregon
. The current members are singer Jaime St. James
, guitarist Shawn Sonnenschein, guitarist Jeff Warner
, bassist Patrick Young, and drummer Pete Holmes.
in Portland, Oregon. In 1982 they made their first recorded appearance on Metal Massacre
— an independent compilation album that also introduced newcomers Metallica
, Ratt
, and Malice
.
Black 'n Blue moved to Los Angeles
in 1983 and within six months signed a worldwide recording contract with Geffen Records
, releasing their self-titled debut album, Black 'n Blue
in August 1984. The album included "Hold On to 18" which was released to radio and MTV and the album became a moderate success.
A follow-up album, entitled Without Love
, was released the following year. This album saw the band modify their original rougher, hard-edge sound in favor of a more polished, radio-friendly pop-metal approach, a move that alienated many fans. Although the tracks "Without Love" and "Miss Mystery" were both released as singles, neither of them saw chart success, and the album was somewhat of a disappointment. A third track from this album, "Nature of the Beach" appeared in the film Vision Quest
and also appeared as the B-side to the Madonna single "Gambler
" from the same movie, although it was not included on the soundtrack LP.
The band would go on to release two more albums under the label, both of which saw them making a conscious effort to return to the original raw power that characterized the music on their debut. Both albums were produced by Gene Simmons
, but neither could recapture the Black 'n Blue sound of old, and the band broke up in 1989.
All five original members would reunite on Halloween of 1997 for a live performance, which was recorded and released the following year as a live album, One Night Only: Live
. This reunion was a one-time affair, and no further touring followed.
The band reunited again in 2003 (this time, without Thayer
, who was performing lead guitar duties for Kiss
at the time) to tour and record a new album, entitled Hell Yeah!
. Shawn Sonnenschein is the new lead guitarist to be featured on the album. The album was initially scheduled to be released in September 2003, but it has been pushed back several times. The most recent projected date for the release of the album was sometime in 2008. http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news/0716bnb.shtml http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news07/0905bnb.shtml However, it was not released during 2008,2009 or 2010. The album was released on these dates:
Japan 20 April 2011
Europe 13 May 2011
America 17 May 2011
Jaime St. James later became the lead singer for Warrant
, while Tommy Thayer continues to play lead guitar for Kiss
. Pete Holmes is currently playing with Malice
and Mandy Lion's WWIII. He was formerly playing with Michael Schenker, Peter Gabriel and Ted Nugent.
Guitarist Jeff "Woop" Warner
for a short time played with Kneel Cohn
in an early line-up of the band The Dead Stars On Hollywood
which is now based in NYC.
Black 'n Blue, including Tommy Thayer, made a reunion appearance in their home town Portland, Oregon December 8, 2007 at Berbati's Pan. The concert benefited the band's long-time friend Kenny Nordone in his struggle with cancer.
Following Jaime St. James' departure from Warrant due to Jani Lane's return to that band, St. James has reunited Black 'n Blue with Shawn Sonnenschein replacing Tommy Thayer who is currently contracted to Kiss. The band performed at Rocklahoma in summer 2008.
Black 'n Blue was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame
on October 9, 2010. The classic line up including Tommy Thayer
performed a reunion concert that night at the Roseland Theater.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band from Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. The current members are singer Jaime St. James
Jaime St. James
Jaime St. James is the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Black 'N Blue. He also served a brief stint in the mid-2000s as the lead singer of Warrant, but he left upon the return of Warrant's original lead singer Jani Lane to the line-up in 2008. He sang on the Warrant album Born Again.Born James...
, guitarist Shawn Sonnenschein, guitarist Jeff Warner
Jeff Warner (guitarist)
Jeff "Woop" Warner is a guitarist who is known for playing for the band Black 'N Blue. According to the liner notes of Black 'N Blue's Ultimate Collection, he replaced another guitarist, named Virgil Ripper, who was briefly in Black 'N Blue in the same slot in Black 'N Blue that Jeff Warner was...
, bassist Patrick Young, and drummer Pete Holmes.
History
The band was formed in 1981 by St. James and Tommy ThayerTommy Thayer
Tommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...
in Portland, Oregon. In 1982 they made their first recorded appearance on Metal Massacre
Metal Massacre
Metal Massacre is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Overkill, Trouble, Tactics, Armored Saint, and more.-History:...
— an independent compilation album that also introduced newcomers Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
, and Malice
Malice (metal band)
Malice is an American heavy metal band formed in the early 80s. Their sound is comparable to that of Judas Priest's, and they are notable for having toured with popular metal group Slayer. They had mild popularity that disappeared and reappeared frequently. The 1988 film Vice Versa featured a...
.
Black 'n Blue moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1983 and within six months signed a worldwide recording contract with Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
, releasing their self-titled debut album, Black 'n Blue
Black 'N Blue (album)
Black 'n Blue is the self-titled debut album of Black 'n Blue, recorded in 1984.The track "Chains Around Heaven" had previously appeared on the second pressing of the first Metal Massacre compilation, perhaps best known as the compilation to feature the first commercially-released recording by...
in August 1984. The album included "Hold On to 18" which was released to radio and MTV and the album became a moderate success.
A follow-up album, entitled Without Love
Without Love (Black 'n Blue album)
Without Love is Black 'n Blue's second album. It was produced by Bruce Fairbairn.-Track listing:# "Rockin' on Heaven's Door" - 3:30# "Without Love" - 3:38...
, was released the following year. This album saw the band modify their original rougher, hard-edge sound in favor of a more polished, radio-friendly pop-metal approach, a move that alienated many fans. Although the tracks "Without Love" and "Miss Mystery" were both released as singles, neither of them saw chart success, and the album was somewhat of a disappointment. A third track from this album, "Nature of the Beach" appeared in the film Vision Quest
Vision Quest
Vision Quest is a 1985 coming of age drama film starring Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, and Ronny Cox. It is based on Terry Davis' novel of the same name. In some countries, it was released as Crazy for You to market on Madonna's emerging fame and the popularity of the song...
and also appeared as the B-side to the Madonna single "Gambler
Gambler (Madonna song)
"Gambler" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was the second single released from the soundtrack album of the motion picture Vision Quest, and was released on October 3, 1985, by Geffen Records. Remaining as the last self-written single by Madonna, "Gambler" was produced by John...
" from the same movie, although it was not included on the soundtrack LP.
The band would go on to release two more albums under the label, both of which saw them making a conscious effort to return to the original raw power that characterized the music on their debut. Both albums were produced by 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:...
, but neither could recapture the Black 'n Blue sound of old, and the band broke up in 1989.
All five original members would reunite on Halloween of 1997 for a live performance, which was recorded and released the following year as a live album, One Night Only: Live
One Night Only: Live
One Night Only: Live is a Black 'N Blue live album.-Track listing:# "Rockin' On Heaven's Door"# "Autoblast"# "Hold On To 18"# "Does She Or Doesn't She"# "Heat It Up! Burn It Out!"# "Without Love"# "Miss Mystery"# "Violent Kid"...
. This reunion was a one-time affair, and no further touring followed.
The band reunited again in 2003 (this time, without Thayer
Tommy Thayer
Tommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...
, who was performing lead guitar duties for Kiss
KISS (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,...
at the time) to tour and record a new album, entitled Hell Yeah!
Hell Yeah! (Black 'n Blue album)
Hell Yeah! is the fifth album of Black 'n Blue, recorded in 2011.Although they reunited in 2003, this is their first release since "In Heat" in 1988. This is also their first album with guitarist Shawn Sonnenschein.-Track listing:...
. Shawn Sonnenschein is the new lead guitarist to be featured on the album. The album was initially scheduled to be released in September 2003, but it has been pushed back several times. The most recent projected date for the release of the album was sometime in 2008. http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news/0716bnb.shtml http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news07/0905bnb.shtml However, it was not released during 2008,2009 or 2010. The album was released on these dates:
Japan 20 April 2011
Europe 13 May 2011
America 17 May 2011
Jaime St. James later became the lead singer for Warrant
Warrant (American band)
Warrant is an American heavy metal band from Hollywood, California, that experienced success from 1989-1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, and one of its...
, while Tommy Thayer continues to play lead guitar for Kiss
KISS (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,...
. Pete Holmes is currently playing with Malice
Malice (metal band)
Malice is an American heavy metal band formed in the early 80s. Their sound is comparable to that of Judas Priest's, and they are notable for having toured with popular metal group Slayer. They had mild popularity that disappeared and reappeared frequently. The 1988 film Vice Versa featured a...
and Mandy Lion's WWIII. He was formerly playing with Michael Schenker, Peter Gabriel and Ted Nugent.
Guitarist Jeff "Woop" Warner
Jeff Warner (guitarist)
Jeff "Woop" Warner is a guitarist who is known for playing for the band Black 'N Blue. According to the liner notes of Black 'N Blue's Ultimate Collection, he replaced another guitarist, named Virgil Ripper, who was briefly in Black 'N Blue in the same slot in Black 'N Blue that Jeff Warner was...
for a short time played with Kneel Cohn
Kneel Cohn
Kneel Cohn in The Bronx, New York is the primary songwriter, lead singer and guitarist for The Dead Stars On Hollywood, known for the songs "Prozac Smile" and "Flaunt it Like This"...
in an early line-up of the band The Dead Stars On Hollywood
The Dead Stars On Hollywood
The Dead Stars on Hollywood are an American rock band based in New York City, that incorporates elements of glam, new wave and goth into their alternative rock sound...
which is now based in NYC.
Black 'n Blue, including Tommy Thayer, made a reunion appearance in their home town Portland, Oregon December 8, 2007 at Berbati's Pan. The concert benefited the band's long-time friend Kenny Nordone in his struggle with cancer.
Following Jaime St. James' departure from Warrant due to Jani Lane's return to that band, St. James has reunited Black 'n Blue with Shawn Sonnenschein replacing Tommy Thayer who is currently contracted to Kiss. The band performed at Rocklahoma in summer 2008.
Black 'n Blue was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame
Oregon Music Hall of Fame
The Oregon Music Hall of Fame is an award honoring musicians from the U.S. state of Oregon. The first induction ceremony took place on October 13, 2007.-History:...
on October 9, 2010. The classic line up including Tommy Thayer
Tommy Thayer
Tommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...
performed a reunion concert that night at the Roseland Theater.
Members
- Jaime St. JamesJaime St. JamesJaime St. James is the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Black 'N Blue. He also served a brief stint in the mid-2000s as the lead singer of Warrant, but he left upon the return of Warrant's original lead singer Jani Lane to the line-up in 2008. He sang on the Warrant album Born Again.Born James...
: Vocals - Shawn Sonnenschein: Guitars
- Jeff "Woop" WarnerJeff Warner (guitarist)Jeff "Woop" Warner is a guitarist who is known for playing for the band Black 'N Blue. According to the liner notes of Black 'N Blue's Ultimate Collection, he replaced another guitarist, named Virgil Ripper, who was briefly in Black 'N Blue in the same slot in Black 'N Blue that Jeff Warner was...
: Guitars, keyboards - Patrick Young: Bass
- Pete Holmes: Drums
Studio albums
| Year | Album | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Label | RIAA Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Black 'n Blue Black 'N Blue (album) Black 'n Blue is the self-titled debut album of Black 'n Blue, recorded in 1984.The track "Chains Around Heaven" had previously appeared on the second pressing of the first Metal Massacre compilation, perhaps best known as the compilation to feature the first commercially-released recording by... (1984) |
129 | Geffen Geffen Records Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:... |
- |
| 1985 | Without Love Without Love (Black 'n Blue album) Without Love is Black 'n Blue's second album. It was produced by Bruce Fairbairn.-Track listing:# "Rockin' on Heaven's Door" - 3:30# "Without Love" - 3:38... |
- | Geffen | - |
| 1986 | Nasty Nasty Nasty Nasty Nasty Nasty is Black 'n Blue's third album. It was produced by Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, with the exception of the song "I'll Be There For You" which was produced by The Babys/Bad English/Journey rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Jonathan Cain.... (1986) |
110 | Geffen | - |
| 1988 | In Heat | 133 | Geffen | - |
| 2011 | Hell Yeah! Hell Yeah! (Black 'n Blue album) Hell Yeah! is the fifth album of Black 'n Blue, recorded in 2011.Although they reunited in 2003, this is their first release since "In Heat" in 1988. This is also their first album with guitarist Shawn Sonnenschein.-Track listing:... |
- | 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:... |
- |
Compilation albums
- The Demos Remastered: Anthology 1The Demos Remastered: Anthology 1-Track listing:# "Chains Around Heaven# "I'm The King"# "The Strong Will Rock"# "Squeeze Me"# "Violent Kid"# "Sign In Blood"# "Wicked Bitch"# "School Of Hard Knocks"# "Cold Heart"# "Hold On To 18"# "Lifeline"# "Autoblast" -Personnel:...
(2001) - Ultimate CollectionUltimate Collection (Black 'n Blue album)Ultimate Collection is a Black 'n Blue compilation.-Track listing:# "Rockin' On Heaven's Door"# "Autoblast"# "Hold On To 18"# "Wicked Bitch"# "Without Love"# "Miss Mystery"# "Nasty Nasty"# "I Want It All "# "Nature Of The Beach"...
(2001) - CollectedCollected (Black 'n Blue box set)Collected is a five disc Black 'N Blue box set, released in 2005, with 4 audio CDs and one DVD.-Disc 1:#"Strong Will Rock"#"School Of Hard Knocks"#"Autoblast"#"Hold On To 18"#"Wicked Bitch"#"Action"#"Show Me The Night"#"One For The Money"...
(2005, box set) - RaritiesRarities (Black 'n Blue album)-Track listing:# "Violent Kid"# "Sign In Blood"# "Wicked Bitch"# "Cold Heart"# "Hold On To 18"# "Lickety Split"# "Serious Drag"# "So Long"# "Hell Yeah"# "Autoblast" # "I'm The King" -Personnel:* Jaime St. James: Lead Vocals...
(2007)