Jerusalem (British band)
Encyclopedia
Jerusalem was an early 1970s British heavy rock
band.
The five-member band released one self-titled album
worldwide in 1972 on Deram Records
(UK catalogue number: SLD 6), produced by Ian Gillan
of Deep Purple
. Jerusalem’s only other release was a 45 rpm 7 inch single
, the non-album "Kamikaze Moth" backed with "Frustration" from the LP.
They gigged throughout Europe and shared the same stage as bands such as Black Sabbath
, Deep Purple
, Uriah Heep
and Status Quo. They also played at some of the major festivals in Europe.
Although Jerusalem signed with Deram, Nick Mobbs head of the EMI
Harvest label also wanted them; he later became head of A&R for EMI
and was the first person to sign the Sex Pistols
. Founders of the band Paul Dean and Ray Sparrow eventually split the band, and formed a three piece with Bob Cooke called Pussy
, who released a single on Deram called "Feline Woman". In recent years, Jerusalem's only album has been re-issued by Universal
as a Japanese CD (2005), and has also become available through many rock music websites.
In 2007, Dean revealed that the original 2" multi-track masters of the album will be re-mastered, re-mixed and re-released in January 2009. The album and single will be available on CD and vinyl, published by Rockadrome Records, and will include extra materials like bonus tracks, blog, history, etc.
Ian Gillan's thoughts about the band and working with the album (as printed on the back side of the album's sleeve):
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.
The five-member band released one self-titled album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
worldwide in 1972 on Deram Records
Deram Records
Deram Records was a subsidiary record label established in 1966 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. At this time U.K. Decca was a completely different company than the Decca label in the United States, which was then owned by MCA Inc. Deram recordings were also distributed in the U.S. through...
(UK catalogue number: SLD 6), produced by Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
of Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. Jerusalem’s only other release was a 45 rpm 7 inch single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, the non-album "Kamikaze Moth" backed with "Frustration" from the LP.
They gigged throughout Europe and shared the same stage as bands such as Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
and Status Quo. They also played at some of the major festivals in Europe.
Although Jerusalem signed with Deram, Nick Mobbs head of the EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Harvest label also wanted them; he later became head of A&R for EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
and was the first person to sign the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
. Founders of the band Paul Dean and Ray Sparrow eventually split the band, and formed a three piece with Bob Cooke called Pussy
Pussy
Pussy is an English word meaning:* Cat* The human female genitalia, for the slang term related to genital anatomy.* Pejoratively, cowardice or weakness as an insult in general- Etymology :The origins of the word are unknown...
, who released a single on Deram called "Feline Woman". In recent years, Jerusalem's only album has been re-issued by Universal
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
as a Japanese CD (2005), and has also become available through many rock music websites.
In 2007, Dean revealed that the original 2" multi-track masters of the album will be re-mastered, re-mixed and re-released in January 2009. The album and single will be available on CD and vinyl, published by Rockadrome Records, and will include extra materials like bonus tracks, blog, history, etc.
Ian Gillan's thoughts about the band and working with the album (as printed on the back side of the album's sleeve):
This is the first album by Jerusalem, a band which excites me very much; they are rough, raw and doomy with their own strong identity. As they are young and a bit green, they don't follow many rules, so their material is almost crude - but still immensely powerful in content.
I believe that, whenever possible, the work of writers and players in their formative stages should be recorded; before inhibition and self-consciousness set in, before fire and aggression die down, and while they are still absorbing influences and doing things which others might consider 'uncool'. Most important though, before they might develop that self-imposed rigidity which afflicts so many. I hope none of these things happen to Jerusalem, we'll have to wait and see, this album is just in case.
I hope you like it as much as I do.
Members
- Lynden Williams: Vocals
- Bob Cooke: Guitar
- Bill Hinde: Guitar
- Paul Dean: Bass
- Ray Sparrow: Drums