CHAPTER 9 - Eric
Singer Pre-KISS
"Tony Iommi
Solo Album Demos" Notes:
On the heels of the aborted
project with lead singer David Donato, in January
1985 Tony Iommi started working on pre-production
demos for a solo album while Sabbath essentially went on hiatus. Recruited to
assist him getting demo ideas down on tape were Eric Singer and Gordon Copley
from his then girlfriend Lita Ford's backing band.
Since his band had no vocalist various singers were considered, most notably
Jeff Fenholt, who has suggested that he worked with
Tony for several months cowriting material that was
eventually used on the album that became "Seventh Star." Eric has
suggested that the collaboration lasted about a month, but it is pretty clear
that several months of work were done at Cherokee Studios in
While the source of the Fenholt/Iommi recordings
are unclear, with some considering them to be Jeff's audition recordings
on Iommi/Copley/Singer bed tracks, or try-outs. It
needs to be made clear that Jeff Fenholt is nearly
universally regarded as never having been a member of Black Sabbath, even if
Jeff didn't know that Tony wasn't planning on using the Black Sabbath moniker
for the album. Still, he got further than future White Tiger and previous
Sabbath vocalist David Donato (the Iommi/Butler/Ward/Donato line-up did do a session with
legendary Bob Ezrin).
09.01. Star Of
Musically, "Star Of India" later became "Seventh Star." Most
of the demos feature lyrics/contributions by Fenholt
that were later discarded. This was Jeff’s title.
09.02. Take My Heart (Version #1]
"Take My Heart"
became "No Stranger To Love."
09.03. Eye Of The Storm (Version #1]
"Eye Of The Storm" became "Turn To Stone."
09.04. Love On The Line (Version 1)
This song became
"Heart Like A Wheel." The circulating
version of this track is very un-developed, and feels such. Some vocal melodies
are there, but it is obvious that a lot of work needed to be done on the piece.
09.05. Chance On Love (Version 1)
This song became
"Danger Zone."
09.06. Jam 1
A super short 30 second bit
that is more a Iommi guitar
free-form piece.
09.07. The Thrill Is Gone (with Lita Ford)
Featuring the first Tony Iommi solo band/Black Sabbath lineup that included Eric
Singer, this
09.08. Jam 3
Running
09.09. Jam 2
A
jazzy Iommi guitar free-form piece that segues from
“Jam 1.” Fenholt comes in with a
bit of vocal melody.
09.10. Unknown Instrumental 1
09.11. Unknown Instrumental 2
It is the general consensus
that 09.10 and 11 are without Iommi and are likely
simply Lita, Singer, and Copley jamming.
09.12. Star Of
This second version of the
song runs over six minutes (much longer than version 1). While it is more
developed lyrically, and the music essentially complete, it is very much
apparent that this is a work in progress and that the arrangement and vocal
delivery are being developed.
09.13. Take My Heart (Version 2)
09.14. Eye Of The Storm (Version 2)
09.15. Love On The Line
09.16. Star Of
The three versions of
"Star Of India" demonstrate the refining
process as the song shrinks from
“Seventh Star” Demo Sessions:
Recorded
at Cherokee Studios in
09.17. Seventh Star (Instrumental 1)
09.18. Danger Zone (Instrumental)
09.19. Turn To Stone (Instrumental)
09.20. No Stranger To Love (Instrumental)
09.21. Seventh Star (Instrumental 2)
09.22. In For The Kill (Instrumental)
This demo includes only the
bass and drum tracks.
09.23. Heart Like A Wheel (Instrumental)
09.24. Angry Heart (Instrumental)
09.25. In Memory (Instrumental)
“Seventh Star” Album Notes:
Produced and engineered by
Jeff Glixman; Recorded at Cheshire Sound Studios,
Atlanta, Georgia; Mastered at Artisan Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California;
Eric Singer’s first professional recording credit would be on what started out
as a Tony Iommi solo project. Along with Dave Spitz,
Glenn Hughes, and Geoff Nichols work started in the summer of 1985. Several
dates into the tour in support of the album Glenn would be replaced by Ray
Gillen on lead vocals. Eric had been working on Lita
Ford demos which her then boyfriend Tony heard resulting in his recruitment.
09.26. In For The Kill
09.27. No Stranger To Love
The
only track on the album to feature Gordon Copley on bass.
Both he and Eric Singer were co-opted by Lita Ford’s
fiancée Iommi to work on demos on his solo project.
When Lita headed back out on the road Gordon rejoined
her, but Eric stayed with Iommi. A depressive video
was released for this song which featured Bing Crosby’s grand-daughter Denise,
later of Star Trek TNG fame, which briefly shows Eric.
09.28. Turn To Stone
09.29. Sphinx (The Guardian)
09.30. Seventh Star
09.31. Danger Zone
“Danger Zone” was also
released as a single in the
09.32. Heart Like A Wheel
09.33. Angry Heart
09.34. In Memory....
09.35. No Stranger To Love (Remix)
Remixed 1986 single version
issued in some markets. Backed with album version of “Angry
Heart.” The music from this version was used on the video of the song.
“Westwood One In Concert” Radio
Show Notes:
Tracks 09.36-42 from a
broadcast LP with partial Eric Singer era Black Sabbath show recorded at the
Convention Center Arena in
09.36. Mob Rules
09.37. Danger Zone
09.38. War Pigs
09.39. Heart Like A Wheel
09.40. Symptom Of The Universe/Sweet Leaf
09.41. Black Sabbath
09.42. Neon Knights
“BBC In
Concert #?” Album Notes:
Tracks 09.43-51 are not an
album proper, per se, but a BBC transcription services radio show album which
featured part of a Black Sabbath show performed at
09.43. Mob Rules
09.44. Danger Zone
09.45. War Pigs
09.46. Seventh Star
09.47. Die Young
09.48. Black Sabbath
09.49. NIB
09.50. Neon Knights
09.51. Paranoid
“BBC In Concert #414” Album
Notes:
Tracks 09.52-09.59; Not an
album proper, per se, but a BBC transcription services radio show album which
featured an early date of the Gary Moore “Wild Frontiers” tour on which Eric
Singer was the band’s drummer (ironically, Bob Daisley
was bassist for the band). It was recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon,
09.52. Over The Hills And Far Away
09.53. Thunder Rising
09.54. Shapes Of Things
09.55. Wild Frontier
09.56. So Far Away
09.57. Empty Rooms
09.58. Out In The Fields
09.59. All Messed Up
09.60. The Loner
Not included on the BBC
transcription disc, but a
“Wild Frontiers” Live Video
Notes:
Tracks 09.61-09.69 recorded
live on
09.61. Thunder Rising
09.62. Wild Frontier
09.63. Military Man
Tracks 09.61-09.63
originally part of the “Live At Isstadion
Stockholm” video, but released on Gary Moore singles in 1989.
09.64. Over The Hills And Far Away
09.65. Empty Rooms
09.66. All Messed Up
Released on 7,” 12” and
CD-singles for “Take A Little Time” and on the “Out In The
Fields” limited edition double-CD.
09.67. Out In The Fields
Released on the “After The War” 12” and the “Out In The Fields” limited edition
double-CD.
09.68. Rockin’ Every Night
Released on the “Ready For Love” 12” singles and the “Out In The Fields” limited
edition double-CD.
09.69. The Loner
Released on the “Out In The Fields” limited edition double-CD.
“The Eternal Idol” Demo Session
Notes:
Following the conclusion of
the “Seventh Star” tour demo work started in July/August 1986 for the follow-up
album. Initially the pre-production work was done by the touring lineup.
However, Dave Spitz was soon replaced by Bob Daisley,
though demos of the album’s material with Dave do exist. By September recording
of the album had commenced and the majority of the backing-tracks had been
completed by mid-October, and Bob soon departed. The “demos” from the second
sessions (tracks 09.75-82) are essentially nearly completed studio tracks of
the material which would later be released at “The Eternal Idol,” without Ray’s
vocals.
09.70. The Boogie Song
09.71. Gypsy Warning (a.k.a. “Black Moon”)
09.72. One In The Box
09.73. Speedballs (a.k.a. “Lost Forever”)
09.74. The Axeman (a.k.a. “Ancient Warrior”)
Tracks 09.70-74 are demos
from Air Studios during the Monserrat pre-production
sessions, recorded July/August 1986 with Dave Spitz on bass.
09.75. The Shining
Musically, this song
started out life as “No Way Out,” demoed by Black Sabbath in 1984 with David Donato on lead vocals. By 1987 little, but noticeable
elements, of the original remained.
09.76. Ancient Warrior
09.77. Hard Life To Love
09.78. Glory Ride
09.79. Born to Lose
09.80. Nightmare
09.81. Lost Forever
09.82. Eternal Idol
Tracks 09.75-82 date from
around early October 1986 from sessions also at Air Studios in
09.83. Glory Ride
09.84. Lost Forever
09.85. The Eternal Idol
09.86. The Shining
09.87. Hard Life To Love
09.88. Ancient Warrior
09.89. Born to Lose
Tracks 09.83-89 are demos
that include Tony’s guitar solos. Both 09.83 & 09.86 have longer ending
sections than the previous demos.
“The Eternal Idol” Album Notes:
Produced by Jeff Glixman, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, and Chris Tsangerides; Recorded at Air Studios,
09.90. The Shining
Issued as a single in
support of the album in most markets, some of which included 09.99 & 100 as
B-sides. A video was shot for this song featuring Terry Chimes (ex-Clash) on
drums.
09.91. Ancient Warrior
09.92. Hard Life To Love
09.93. Glory Ride
09.94. Born to Lose
09.95. Nightmare
The only officially
released Sabbath studio recording to feature Ray Gillen on vocals. Well, not
actually vocals, the laughing on the track is him.
09.96. Scarlet Pimpernel
Since this track doesn’t
exist on any of the demo recordings from 1986 it is possible that Eric Singer
didn’t drum on it.
09.97. Lost Forever
09.98. Eternal Idol
09.99. Black Moon (B-side)
Originally titled
"Gypsy Warning," Geoff Nichols plays bass on the recording. It was
first demoed during the pre-production demo sessions. This song was later
re-recorded for the “Headless Cross” (1989) album.
09.100. Some Kind Of Woman (B-side)
This song was first demoed
during the pre-production demo sessions and is the only officially released
Sabbath studio recording to feature Dave Spitz on bass. Both 09.99 & 100
were released as B-sides on European “The Shining” singles.
“The Drive” Album Notes:
Executive Producer: Bob
Cahill; Produced by Biff Vincent and Rick Chavez; Recorded and mixed at Front
Page Recorders, Studio A & B, Costa Mesa, California in January and
February 1988; The band would feature David Taylor on vocals, Rich Chavez and
Mercy Valdez on guitars, and Michael Guerrero on bass. Eric was hired to play
the drums on all tracks while the band searched for their own permanent drummer
while recording the album. He is credited prominently on the linear notes with
an endorsement for Eric’s Pearl Drums and Zildjian
Cymbals. He’s also thanked in the “Thanks” list. 09.110 is additional bonus
track included on the CD.
09.101. (New Reign) The
09.102. Kamikaze
09.103. Stormtrooper
09.105. Snake Eyes
09.106. Eternal Mercenary
09.107. The Entity
09.108. Sinister Minister
09.109. Forever And A Day
09.110. I Need The Nights
“Sonic
Produced by The Cult, which
by June 1988 comprised of Ian Astbury, Billy Duffy,
and James Stewart; 1st engineer John Carter; 2nd engineers Edgar Garcia, Pete Magdaieno and Ken Palakovitch;
Tracks 09.83-09.103 released on the limited edition box set “Rare Cult - The
Demo Sessions” (2002). Tracks 09.83-09.96 recorded
09.83. Medicine Train
09.84. Fire
09.85.
09.86. Wake Up Time For Freedom
09.87. American Horse
09.88. Bite On The Bullet (Down So Long)
09.89. Sun King
09.90. Fred Divinyls
09.91. Automatic Blues
09.92. Citadel
09.93. Yes Man
09.94. The River
09.95. Zodiac
09.96. The
09.97.
09.98. Edie
09.99. Bleeding Hearts Revival
09.100. Lay Down Your Gun
09.101. My Love
09.102. Iron Star
09.103. Star Child
“
Various demo versions of
what would later be used on various
09.104. Reckless Child
This demo is actually
"Dancin' On The
Edge" with different lyrics.
09.105. Devil's Stomp
09.106. Hard Driver
09.107. Jade's Song
09.108. Lord Knows
09.109. Rumblin'
Train
09.110. Seasons
09.111. Shake Down
09.112. The Last Time
09.113. Let It Bleed
09.114. Shake Down
(Version 2)
09.115. The Last Time
09.116. Get Ready (Rough)
09.117. Lord Knows
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Lord Knows
10. Reckless Child
11. Hard Driver
12. The Last Time
13. Rumblin'
Train
14. Devil’s Stomp
15. Seasons
16. As Time Goes By
17.
“
Produced by Paul O’Neil and
09.104. High Wire
09.105. Dreams In The Dark
Would
be issued as single from the album backed with “Hard Driver.”
The video for the song would be a top-10 video on MTV requests for over a
month.
09.106. Jade’s Song
09.107. Winter’s Call
Issued
as a single from the album.
09.108. Dancing On The Edge
09.109. Streets Cry Freedom
09.110. Hard Driver
09.111. Rumblin’ Train
09.112. Devil’s Stomp
09.113. Seasons
09.114. Ball & Chain
09.115. Winter’s Call (Edit)
The edit version of the
song released as a single cut nearly a minute from the track. Promo CD’s also
included the full album version of the song. The edit would be used on the
video made for the song. Both videos would be included on the “Dag the Giblets”
VHS release.
“Ward One” Album Notes:
Produced by Peter Kelsey;
Recorded at The Village Recorder, Take One, Front Page, and Studio on Wheels;
Eric Singer guests on drums on two tracks on the former Black Sabbath drummer’s
solo album. Apart from Eric other guests include Ozzy,
Lanny Cordola, Zakk Wylde, Gordon Copley, Bob Daisley, Jack Bruce, and others!
09.116. (Mobile) Shooting Gallery
09.117. Pink Clouds On An
09.118. God Gave Rock ‘N Roll To You II
Eric’s first official
session recording with KISS. Refer to KISS – “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey”
Original Soundtrack section for full details.
09.119. Eighteen
Produced by Thom Panumzio; Recorded live at Irvine
Meadows Amphitheatre,
“Live At Electric Lady Studios”
Album Notes:
Produced
by Thom Panumzio.
This album was included in a special Japanese packaging of
09.120. Sick Things
09.121. Only Women Bleed / Wind Up Toy
09.122. No More Mr. Nice Guy / Billion Dollar Babies
09.123. Poison
09.124. Hey Stoopid
09.126. Love’s A Loaded Gun
Tracks also recorded live at Electric Lady Studios, but released as
B-sides on the “Burning Our Bed” CD-single.