Former Uriah Heep vocalist John Lawton dead at 74

Former Uriah Heep vocalist John Lawton has died at the age of 74.

“It is with deep regret that we share the devastating and tragic news of the sudden and totally unexpected passing of John Lawton on 29. June 2021,” shared the band in tribute on social media. “Contrary to reports, there was no illness involved, which makes his passing incomprehensible. He went peacefully with his wife at his side. John will be greatly missed.

“A private funeral service to celebrate John’s life will be held following his wishes, with only family and close friends attending. We would appreciate that the family’s privacy is respected during this difficult time.”

Born in the UK in the mid-1940s, Lawton played in several groups through the years before teaming up with members of a German band called The German Bonds to form Lucifer’s Friend in Hamburg in 1970; the group issued a number of albums in the 1970s while Lawton simultaneously performed as a member of the German pop group the Les Humphries Singers.

The rocker joined Uriah Heep in 1976, and went on to appear on three of the band's studio albums, including "Firefly" (1977), "Innocent Victim" (1977) and 1978’s "Fallen Angel."

Lawton returned to Lucifer’s Friend for a brief stint in the early 1980s before rejoining the lineup in 2014.

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Former Uriah Heep member Ken Hensley dead at 75
Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne drummer Lee Kerslake dead at 73

Former Uriah Heep member Ken Hensley dead at 75

Former Uriah Heep vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ken Hensley died on November 4 at the age of 75.

The rocker’s brother, Trevor Hensley, broke the new via social media on Thursday.

“I am writing this with a heavy heart to let you know that my brother Ken Hensley passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening,” wrote Trevor. “His beautiful wife Monica was at his side and comforted Ken in his last few minutes with us.

“We are all devastated by this tragic and incredibly unexpected loss and ask that you please give us some space and time to come to terms with it. Ken will be cremated in a private ceremony in Spain so please don’t ask for information about a funeral.

“Ken has gone but he will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts. Stay safe out there.”

After playing with a number of bands in the 1960s, Hensley joined Spice in 1969; shortly thereafter, the group changed their name to Uriah Heep and went on to release their debut album, “...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble”, in 1970.

Hensley is credited with expanding the progressive sound of the UK outfit; he would go on to be the principal songwriter in the band, and delivered their biggest hit, “Easy Livin’” from 1972’s “Demons And Wizards”, while the group’s albums regularly charted in their homeland through most of the 1970s.

After the rocker left Uriah Heep in 1980, he continued to issue solo records while going on to work with Blackfoot, John Lawton and John Wetton, and appear on records by W.A.S.P., Cinderella and Bruce Cameron, among others, before forming his own band, Ken Hensley & Live Fire.

Uriah Heep founder Mick Box paid tribute to his former bandmate, saying: "I am in deep shock at the news Ken Hensley has passed away, and my sincere condolences go to his family and wife Monica. Ken wrote some amazing songs in his tenure with the band, and they will remain a musical legacy that will be in people’s hearts forever. RIP Ken."

Hensley’s former Uriah Heep bandmate, drummer Lee Kerslake, passed away in September of this year.

Hensley had recently finished work on a new project, “My Book Of Answers”, which is due for release in February 2021.

Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne drummer Lee Kerslake dead at 73

Former Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne drummer Lee Kerslake has died at the age of 73 following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.

The news was confirmed by former Uriah Heep member Ken Hensley.

"It's with the heaviest of hearts that I share with you that Lee Kerslake, my friend of 55 years and the best drummer I ever played with, lost his battle with cancer at 03:30 this morning,” shared Hensley on social media. “He died peacefully, praise The Lord, but he will be terribly missed. I know many of you were praying for him not to suffer and I thank you for that and, now that Lee is at peace, our thoughts and prayers should turn to his wife Sue who will need all the support she can get at this time."

Kerslake joined Uriah Heep in 1971, first appearing on their 1972 album, “Demons And Wizards”, and eight more records before exiting the lineup in 1978.

The rocker teamed up with Ozzy Osbourne and his new solo band for 1980’s “Blizzard Of Ozz” and 1981’s “Diary Of A Madman” releases, after which he rejoined Uriah Heep for another lengthy run that include seven more studio records before his departure in 2007 due to ill health.

Kerslake, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, fought a lengthy and expensive legal battle with Osbourne over songwriting credits and royalty issues from his work on the two albums; both he and bassist Bob Daisley’s names were removed from “Diary Of A Madman” following their 1981 firing prior to its release and falsely credited to new members Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge.

As the courtroom battle neared its end, Sharon Osbourne hired Ozzy’s rhythm section of bassist Robert Trujillo (now with Metallica) and drummer Mike Bordin to re-record Kerslake and Daisley’s parts on the album for a 2002 reissue as the pair were close to winning the case, which they eventually did.

Fan outcry over the move led to stickers on the 2002 reissue advising consumers of the change, which was ultimately sorted out in time for a 30th anniversary reissue in 2011 that saw the duo’s work re-instated with both returned to the credits.

Kerslake contacted the Osbourne’s in 2018 about his health status and to see if they would send him platinum album certifications for his work on the records more than three decades after the fact, which they finally did last year.

“It’s been 39 years since I’ve seen Lee,” posted Ozzy, “but he lives forever on the records he played on for me, Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman. Lee Kerslake RIP.”

Osbourne just released an expanded digital edition of “Blizzard Of Ozz” on September 18 to mark the record’s 40th anniversary.


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