Lee Kerslake
Encyclopedia
Lee Kerslake is an English
musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep
, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne
band
Kerslake joined Uriah Heep in November 1971, left the band in October 1979, and rejoined them in April 1982. In early 2007 it was announced on the Heep website that Kerslake left the band 'due to ongoing health problems'.
With Heep Kerslake also performed backing vocals both on album and on stage. On the Firefly album he was credited with the nickname
"The Bear", a reference to his beard growth and overall solid physical build.
During his time out of Uriah Heep, he was hired by Ozzy Osbourne
, with whom he recorded Blizzard of Ozz
and Diary of a Madman
, and played with bass guitarist Bob Daisley
, who later joined Uriah Heep. On the Diary of a Madman notes, Kerslake and Daisley weren't credited. The two musicians were fired in late March 1981, just after the recording session, and replaced for the tour by Tommy Aldridge
and Rudy Sarzo
. Aldridge's and Sarzo's photos were put on the album and they were credited as studio musicians, but they didn't play on the album.
In 1998, Kerslake and Daisley filed suit against Ozzy Osbourne
and his manager (and wife) Sharon Osbourne
, seeking royalties and songwriting credits for their contributions to the Blizzard of Ozz
and Diary of a Madman
albums. Osbourne subsequently erased Kerslake and Daisley's playing on both albums, replacing their performances with tracks by bassist Robert Trujillo
and drummer Mike Bordin
.
In 2003, Kerslake and Daisley's lawsuit was dismissed by the United States District Court in Los Angeles. This dismissal was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Mercury Records artists
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band 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...
, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
band
Kerslake joined Uriah Heep in November 1971, left the band in October 1979, and rejoined them in April 1982. In early 2007 it was announced on the Heep website that Kerslake left the band 'due to ongoing health problems'.
With Heep Kerslake also performed backing vocals both on album and on stage. On the Firefly album he was credited with the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
"The Bear", a reference to his beard growth and overall solid physical build.
During his time out of Uriah Heep, he was hired by Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, with whom he recorded Blizzard of Ozz
Blizzard of Ozz
Blizzard of Ozz is the first solo studio album by British singer/songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, recorded in Surrey, UK and released on September 20, 1980 in the UK and on March 27, 1981 in the U.S.. It is the comeback album of Osbourne following his firing from Black Sabbath the previous year...
and Diary of a Madman
Diary of a Madman (album)
Diary of a Madman is the second studio album by Ozzy Osbourne. It was recorded from the 9th of Feb to the 23 of March 1981 inclusively - the end of winter in the UK and recording ending just into spring equinox. It was released on November 7, 1981, and re-issued on August 22, 1995. An altered...
, and played with bass guitarist Bob Daisley
Bob Daisley
Robert John "Bob" Daisley is an Australian musician, bassist and lyricist who has performed in genres of rock, blues, R&B, hard rock and metal.-Early career:...
, who later joined Uriah Heep. On the Diary of a Madman notes, Kerslake and Daisley weren't credited. The two musicians were fired in late March 1981, just after the recording session, and replaced for the tour by Tommy Aldridge
Tommy Aldridge
Tommy Aldridge is a veteran heavy metal and hard rock drummer. Aldridge is noted for his work with numerous bands and vocalists, most notable being Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore, Whitesnake, Ted Nugent and Thin Lizzy.Self taught, Aldridge was inspired by Cream,...
and Rudy Sarzo
Rudy Sarzo
Rudy Sarzo is a Cuban American hard rock/heavy metal bassist. Sarzo has played with many well known heavy metal acts including Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Manic Eden, Dio and Blue Öyster Cult.-Early life:...
. Aldridge's and Sarzo's photos were put on the album and they were credited as studio musicians, but they didn't play on the album.
In 1998, Kerslake and Daisley filed suit against Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
and his manager (and wife) Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
, seeking royalties and songwriting credits for their contributions to the Blizzard of Ozz
Blizzard of Ozz
Blizzard of Ozz is the first solo studio album by British singer/songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, recorded in Surrey, UK and released on September 20, 1980 in the UK and on March 27, 1981 in the U.S.. It is the comeback album of Osbourne following his firing from Black Sabbath the previous year...
and Diary of a Madman
Diary of a Madman (album)
Diary of a Madman is the second studio album by Ozzy Osbourne. It was recorded from the 9th of Feb to the 23 of March 1981 inclusively - the end of winter in the UK and recording ending just into spring equinox. It was released on November 7, 1981, and re-issued on August 22, 1995. An altered...
albums. Osbourne subsequently erased Kerslake and Daisley's playing on both albums, replacing their performances with tracks by bassist Robert Trujillo
Robert Trujillo
Robert Trujillo is an American bassist who currently plays bass in Metallica. He has also played in Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, Black Label Society, and with Jerry Cantrell and Ozzy Osbourne.-Career:...
and drummer Mike Bordin
Mike Bordin
Mike Bordin is the co-founder and drummer of rock band Faith No More. He is also known for playing with Ozzy Osbourne. As a left-handed drummer, he notably plays with a right-handed kit with his ride cymbal on the left...
.
In 2003, Kerslake and Daisley's lawsuit was dismissed by the United States District Court in Los Angeles. This dismissal was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
With The Gods
- Genesis (1968)
- To Samuel A Son (1970)
- The Gods Featuring Ken Hensley (1976)
- Gods
with Uriah Heep
- Demons and WizardsDemons and Wizards (album)Demons and Wizards is the self-titled debut album of power metal / heavy metal band Demons and Wizards released in February 2000. A limited edition version of the album contains a remake of the classic Cream song "White Room." The Japanese release also features "White Room," but includes an...
(1972) - The Magician's BirthdayThe Magician's BirthdayThe Magician's Birthday is the fifth album released by British rock band Uriah Heep. The story line is "based loosely on a short story" written by Ken Hensley in June and July 1972....
(1972) - Uriah Heep LiveUriah Heep LiveUriah Heep Live is a 1973 double live album by British rock group Uriah Heep. In addition to a live version of the band's hit "Easy Livin'", the record includes classic live cuts such as "Sweet Lorraine", "Sunrise" and an extended live version of "July Morning"...
(1973) - often referred to as "Live '73" by Heepsters - Sweet FreedomSweet FreedomSweet Freedom is the sixth studio album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.The original vinyl release was as a gatefold-sleeve, reproducing the lyrics within. There was also a central page with a photograph of each band member...
(1973) - WonderworldWonderworld (album)Released in 1974, Wonderworld is the seventh album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.The original vinyl release was a single sleeve, with the lyrics reproduced on the inner-liner.The album was the last to feature bass player Gary Thain...
(1974) - Return to FantasyReturn to FantasyReturn to Fantasy is the eighth studio album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.The experienced John Wetton was the band's new bassist.The original vinyl release was as a gatefold-sleeve, with the lyrics reproduced on the inner-liner....
(1975) - High and MightyHigh and Mighty (album)High and Mighty is the ninth studio album released by British progressive rock band Uriah Heep."High and Mighty" was the last Uriah Heep album to feature vocalist and founding member David Byron, who was subsequently fired due to his troubles with alcohol.The album was not terribly well-received,...
(1976) - Firefly (1977)
- Innocent VictimInnocent VictimReleased in 1977, Innocent Victim is the eleventh album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.Although it did not chart in the US or UK, Innocent Victim was highly successful in Germany and New Zealand....
(1977) - Fallen Angel (1978)
- AbominogAbominogAbominog was the 14th album for British rock group Uriah Heep. It was the first album without keyboardist Ken Hensley. The album was critically acclaimed and fairly commercially successful album due, in part, to the band retooling and updating their sound to a contemporary heavy metal style. It...
(1982) - Head FirstHead First (Uriah Heep album)Head First was the 15th studio album from British rock band Uriah Heep. It was released in 1983, on Gerry Bron's UK label Bronze Records.The album was recorded by the line-up responsible for the previous year's Abominog, but this time with a greater proportion of the songs written by the band members...
(1983) - Equator (1985)
- Live at Shepperton '74Live at Shepperton '74Live at Shepperton '74 was the second live album by British rock band Uriah Heep. It was originally released in 1986.- Original version :Side A# "Easy Livin'" – 2:57# "So Tired" - 3:58...
(1986) – recorded 1974 - Live in Europe 1979 (1986) – recorded 1979
- Live in Moscow (1988)
- Raging SilenceRaging SilenceRaging Silence is the 17th album by British progressive rock group Uriah Heep. It marked the studio debut of Canadian vocalist Bernie Shaw.It was the first Uriah Heep studio album to have a contemporary release on CD....
(1989) - Different World (1991)
- Sea of LightSea of Light (album)Sea Of Light was the 19th album for British progressive rock group Uriah Heep. It is well regarded by fans and the songs have remained part of the band's live set to this day....
(1995) - Spellbinder Live (1996)
- King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents In Concert (1997) – recorded 1974
- Sonic OrigamiSonic OrigamiSonic Origami is the 20th studio album by Uriah Heep and was released in September 1998.The limited edition version of the CD contains one additional track....
(1998) - Future Echoes Of The Past (2000)
- Acoustically DrivenAcoustically DrivenAcoustically Driven is the 8th live album released by British rock band Uriah Heep in 2001. The album was recorded live with an orchestra and choir...
(2001) - Electrically Driven (2001)
- The Magician's Birthday Party (2002)
- Live in the USALive in the USALive in the USA is a live album recorded October 2002 and released in 2003 by rock band Mostly Autumn.-Track listing:#"Nowhere to Hide" – 5:14#"The Spirit of Autumn Past" – 6:54...
(2003) - Magic Night (2004)
- Between Two Worlds (2005)
- Still 'Eavy Still Proud
With David Byron
- Take No PrisonersTake No Prisoners (David Byron album)Take No Prisoners is the debut solo album of British rock singer David Byron. It was released whilst he was still vocalist for Uriah Heep and features Heep bandmates Mick Box and Lee Kerslake.-Track listing:...
(1975) - Man Of Yesterdays: The Anthology
With Ozzy Osbourne
- Blizzard of OzzBlizzard of OzzBlizzard of Ozz is the first solo studio album by British singer/songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, recorded in Surrey, UK and released on September 20, 1980 in the UK and on March 27, 1981 in the U.S.. It is the comeback album of Osbourne following his firing from Black Sabbath the previous year...
(1980) (On 2011 Reissue) - Diary of a MadmanDiary of a Madman (album)Diary of a Madman is the second studio album by Ozzy Osbourne. It was recorded from the 9th of Feb to the 23 of March 1981 inclusively - the end of winter in the UK and recording ending just into spring equinox. It was released on November 7, 1981, and re-issued on August 22, 1995. An altered...
(1981) (On 2011 Reissue) - Tribute (1987) (on two tracks)
- The Ozzman ComethThe Ozzman ComethThe Ozzman Cometh is a compilation album by Ozzy Osbourne released in 1997. It is his second greatest hits collection and its initial, limited edition 2 CD pressing contained five previously unreleased songs...
(1997) (not on the current pressing)
External links
Mercury Records artists