James Christian
Encyclopedia
James Christian is a Connecticut
-based musician and songwriter who is perhaps best known for being the frontman of the band House of Lords
.
area for their excellent covers of Led Zeppelin
songs. In the early '70s, after Christian had spent a few years with HOOKA, he spent some time in the top 40 band called MAGIC with local drummer JACK BERKY. We was then approached by drummer Jeff Cannata
. Cannata was in another local band called Jasper Wrath
, who had released their self-titled debut
through MGM Records
in 1971. Originally a quartet, Jasper Wrath now wanted to add a frontman to their band. Christian joined the progressive rock band on lead vocals and guitar. With them, he recorded the regional #1 hit song "You". Jasper Wrath was easily the most popular band in the Connecticut area at the time, but unfortunately they disbanded in 1976 due to creative differences.
Christian stuck with Jasper Wrath bandmates Phil Stone (bass, flute, and vocals) and Jeff Batter (keyboards and vocals) to start a new band. Following the addition of drummer Richie Catalano and keyboardist Jerry Green in 1977, this new group became known as Eyes
. The band released the album We're In It Together
in 1978, and they quickly became the most popular live act in Connecticut. Due to its popularity, Eyes continued to play Jasper Wrath's hit song "You" every night as fans requested it. In the early '80s, Phil Stone left the group and Christian switched from guitar to bass. Mike Solak was brought in to fulfil the guitar duties.
In the mid-'80s, James Christian was called to do some session work in Los Angeles. He originally intended it to be a one shot deal, but after doing some work and making contacts for a few weeks, Christian became addicted to the Los Angeles music scene. Christian later left Eyes after accepting an offer to become the lead singer of the group L.A. Rocks. Eyes broke up completely after Christian had left the band.
After being in L.A. Rocks for a year, the bass player suddenly left. Chuck Wright
, formerly of Quiet Riot
, was brought in as a replacement, and he and Christian soon became friends. Wright introduced Christian to keyboardist Gregg Giuffria
, who informed him that he was trying to get a supergroup together. This supergroup ended up becoming House of Lords
. The band recorded and released three albums between 1987 and 1992, before eventually going separate ways in 1993.
Christian recorded and released a solo album in the mid-90s, as well as perform as a guest musician on several other projects. In 2000, Christian reunited with the original lineup of House of Lords. The reunion was short-lived, and in 2005 Christian reformed a new version of House of Lords, which he still records and tours with to this day.
. The couple live in Los Angeles with their daughter Olivia (born 1998).
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
-based musician and songwriter who is perhaps best known for being the frontman of 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...
.
Career
Christian started performing in clubs at the young age of 16. His first serious band was called HOOKA. This band was well-known around the New HavenNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
area for their excellent covers of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
songs. In the early '70s, after Christian had spent a few years with HOOKA, he spent some time in the top 40 band called MAGIC with local drummer JACK BERKY. We was then approached by drummer Jeff Cannata
Jeff Cannata (musician)
Jeff Cannata is a Connecticut-based musician, songwriter, and record producer. Cannata was a founding member and driving force behind the New Haven-based progressive rock band Jasper Wrath. He was the drummer for the group, however he also sang, played woodwinds, and wrote a majority of the songs...
. Cannata was in another local band called Jasper Wrath
Jasper Wrath
Jasper Wrath was a progressive rock band from New Haven, Connecticut that was active throughout the 1970s. They were founded by Jeff Cannata, who would later go on to form the 1980s band Arc Angel. The band also featured James Christian, who would later go on to front the notable glam metal band...
, who had released their self-titled debut
Jasper Wrath (album)
Jasper Wrath is the first studio album by Connecticut-based progressive rock band Jasper Wrath.-Track listing:Side 1# "Look To The Sunrise" - 2:55# "Mysteries " - 3:50# "Autumn" - 4:45# "Odyssey" - 7:10Side 2...
through MGM Records
MGM Records
MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946, for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums of their musical films. Later it became a pop label, lasting into the 1970s...
in 1971. Originally a quartet, Jasper Wrath now wanted to add a frontman to their band. Christian joined the progressive rock band on lead vocals and guitar. With them, he recorded the regional #1 hit song "You". Jasper Wrath was easily the most popular band in the Connecticut area at the time, but unfortunately they disbanded in 1976 due to creative differences.
Christian stuck with Jasper Wrath bandmates Phil Stone (bass, flute, and vocals) and Jeff Batter (keyboards and vocals) to start a new band. Following the addition of drummer Richie Catalano and keyboardist Jerry Green in 1977, this new group became known as Eyes
Eyes (band)
Eyes was a rock band from New Haven, Connecticut that was active throughout the 1980s. The band was founded by James Christian, who would later go on to front the notable hard rock band House of Lords.- History :Eyes formed in New Haven, Connecticut in 1977...
. The band released the album We're In It Together
We're In It Together (album)
We're In It Together is the first studio album by Connecticut-based rock band Eyes.-Track listing:Side 1# "Deeper In Love"# "Back Seat Driver"# "California By Morning"# "Thinking It Over"# "We Better Get Along"Side 2# "It's Over"...
in 1978, and they quickly became the most popular live act in Connecticut. Due to its popularity, Eyes continued to play Jasper Wrath's hit song "You" every night as fans requested it. In the early '80s, Phil Stone left the group and Christian switched from guitar to bass. Mike Solak was brought in to fulfil the guitar duties.
In the mid-'80s, James Christian was called to do some session work in Los Angeles. He originally intended it to be a one shot deal, but after doing some work and making contacts for a few weeks, Christian became addicted to the Los Angeles music scene. Christian later left Eyes after accepting an offer to become the lead singer of the group L.A. Rocks. Eyes broke up completely after Christian had left the band.
After being in L.A. Rocks for a year, the bass player suddenly left. Chuck Wright
Chuck Wright
Chuck Wright is an American bassist, best known as the bassist of heavy metal band Quiet Riot. He originally joined Quiet Riot in 1982, performing bass on several tracks for their hit album, Metal Health, as well as contributing backing vocals. He left and rejoined Quiet Riot multiple times,...
, formerly of Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot is an American Heavy Metal band. They are best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum On Feel the Noize". They were founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, under the original name Mach 1, before changing the name to Little Women and finally Quiet...
, was brought in as a replacement, and he and Christian soon became friends. Wright introduced Christian to 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....
, who informed him that he was trying to get a supergroup together. This supergroup ended up becoming 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...
. The band recorded and released three albums between 1987 and 1992, before eventually going separate ways in 1993.
Christian recorded and released a solo album in the mid-90s, as well as perform as a guest musician on several other projects. In 2000, Christian reunited with the original lineup of House of Lords. The reunion was short-lived, and in 2005 Christian reformed a new version of House of Lords, which he still records and tours with to this day.
Personal life
James Christian is married to singer Robin BeckRobin Beck
Robin Beck is an American singer. She topped the singles chart in the UK in 1988, and Germany in 1989 with her single "First Time", which had come to the public's attention via its use in a Coca-Cola commercial....
. The couple live in Los Angeles with their daughter Olivia (born 1998).
Jasper Wrath
- You / General Gunther (single) (1975)
- Coming Home (1977) [credited as Arden House]
- Zoldar & Clark (1977) [credited as Zoldar & Clark]
- Anthology: 1969-1976Anthology (Jasper Wrath album)Anthology: 1969-1976 is a compilation album by Connecticut-based progressive rock band Jasper Wrath. It features material from their 1971 self-titled debut album, the 1975 "You/General Gunther" single, two 1977 albums which were released using fake band names, and previously unreleased live...
(1996)
House of Lords
- House of LordsHouse of Lords (House of Lords album)House of Lords is the eponymous debut album by House of Lords, a Giuffria spin-off band, featuring keyboardist Gregg Giuffria. It was released in 1988 on Kiss bassist Gene Simmons' own label and distributed by RCA Records. The album reached position No...
(1988) - SaharaSahara (House of Lords album)Sahara is the second studio album by the American hard rock band House of Lords, released on August 21, 1990.The album was recorded without original guitarist Lanny Cordola, but with Michael Guy as the band's guitarist...
(1990) - Demons DownDemons Down-Personnel:*James Christian - lead vocals*Gregg Giuffria - keyboards, backing vocals*Dennis Chick - guitars, backing vocals*Sean McNabb - bass, backing vocals*Tommy Aldridge - drums, backing vocals-Additional musicians:...
(1992) - The Power And The MythThe Power And The MythThe 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...
(2004) - World Upside DownWorld Upside DownWorld 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...
(2006) - Live in the UKLive in the UK (House of Lords album)Live in the UK is the first live album by House of Lords, released on January 29, 2007.The album was recorded during the band's last tour with the original reunited line up in 2005, on November 26, 2005 in Nottingham, England...
(2007) - Come to My KingdomCome to My KingdomCome 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...
- (2008) - AnthologyAnthology (House of Lords album)Anthology is a compilation of rare demos and live recordings by House of Lords, released on October 14, 2008.The album was mixed and produced by the band's original drummer Ken Mary.-Track listing:# "I Wanna Be Loved" - 3:33...
(2008) - Cartesian DreamsCartesian DreamsCartesian Dreams is the seventh studio album by House of Lords, released on September 18, 2009 in Europe and October 13, 2009 in the US....
(2009) - Big Money (2011)
- Live in Rio (House of Lords DVD) Fall 2009 release
As Guest Vocals
- Pata - Pata (1993)
- Pata - Raised on Rock (1995)
- Impulsia - Expressions (2009)