Budgie (band)

Budgie is a hard rock and roll band from Cardiff, Wales. Formed in 1968, their original line up consisted of Burke Shelley (bass, vocals), Tony Bourge (guitar), and Ray Philips (drums).

Related Topics:
Rock and roll - Cardiff - Wales - 1968 - Bass - Guitar - Drums

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Current line up is Simon Lees (guitar) , Burke Shelley (Bass, vocals) , Steve Williams (drums)

Related Topics:
Guitar - Bass, vocals - Drums

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Their self-titled debut album with Black Sabbath producer Roger Bain being released in 1971 followed by Squawk in 1972. The album that followed ensured their place in rock and roll history, Never Turn Your Back On a Friend (1973), spawning the rock anthem "Breadfan" — later covered by thrash metal merchants Metallica — and the track "Parents". (Metallica would also cover another Budgie song, "Crash Course In Brain Surgery", from the next album "In For The Kill").

Related Topics:
1971 - Squawk - 1972 - Never Turn Your Back On a Friend - Thrash metal - Metallica - In For The Kill

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By 1975 Bourge and Shelley were joined by drummer Steve Williams for the album Bandolier, before a misguided attempt to 'break the States'. Returning to Britain somewhat humbled, Bourge gave way to John Thomas and the band successfully rode the 'new wave of British heavy metal' till 1982, even headlining the Reading Festival. A slow decline lasted till 1988, when the band slipped away.

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Enjoying much popularity in South Texas, somewhat thanks to legendary Dj Joe "the godfather" Anthony on KMAC/ KISS radio, the band reformed in 1995 and 1996 for 'La Semana' in San Antonio,Texas, and is now back to touring, mostly in England, and in Europe also, where they have a following, especially in Poland (having played as the first 'heavy metal ' band in the Soviet era - 1982). Also notable was their tour support of Ozzy Osbourne in 1984. The reunion was the subject of much faux hype by Mark Radcliffe and Lard on their Radio 1 show, but the pair then "forgot" to do their special Budgie day.

Related Topics:
1995 - 1996 - Ozzy Osbourne - Mark Radcliffe - Lard - Radio 1

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