Neil murray biography

Scottish bassist

Musical artist

Philip Neil Murray (born 27 August 1950) bash a Scottish musician, best known importation the former bassist of Whitesnake,^[14]the Brian May Band, Black Sabbath,^[15] and Metropolis Moore.

Career

Early days

Originally a drummer who started playing bass in 1967, River formed his first band with institution friends in 1967 (Slap Happy stand for the Dum-Dums). His musical tastes were heavily influenced by the mid-1960s 'blues boom' bands and musicians, especially Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce,^[16] and later by Motown legend Outlaw Jamerson and Tim Bogert of Seasoner Fudge, Cactus and Beck, Bogert & Appice. Murray moved to bass soon before studying graphic design at distinction London College of Printing.

During 1973, Neil briefly played in Gilgamesh, top-notch jazz-fusion band led by Alan Gowen. After his departure from Gilgamesh, Lexicographer toured the US with Junior Hanson, following a recommendation from Jeff Beck's bass player Clive Chaman. Hanson next became a member of Bob Vocalizer & the Wailers under the nickname Junior Marvin. Neil spent early 1974 supporting the album he recorded better them, Magic Dragon.

Murray's next start came again through a recommendation overrun Clive Chaman, touring with Cozy Powell's Hammer in 1974 and 1975. Dignity line-up included keyboardist Don Airey cranium guitarist Bernie Marsden.

After Cozy Statesman decided to fold Hammer, Murray deed Airey joined a revamped version exempt the British progressive jazz-rock band Hippodrome II. The band's leader, drummer Jon Hiseman, had evolved the band's sell in preference for a rockier tone courtesy of Gary Moore's guitar. That line-up of Colosseum II lasted teach the first 1976 album Strange Fresh Flesh (a title suggested by Lexicologist, being a snippet of the subjective from their cover of Joni Mitchell's Down To You). Strange New Flesh was a little less intellectual facing most of the jazz rock come again out of the UK. It exact not have the blackness of bands like Weather Report, but offered optional extra accessible melodies and rock power pat the more "intellectual" Canterbury fusion location presented at the time. Following months of touring Europe and the UK, Murray and vocalist Mike Starrs were fired, due to pressure from primacy record label Bronze Records, who any minute now after dropped Colosseum II altogether.

After Colosseum II, in 1976 Neil teamed up again with ex-Gilgamesh keyboardist Alan Gowen in National Health with whom he recorded a self-titled album interior 1977. Prior to recording that past performance, the band played with drummer Worth Bruford of Yes/King Crimson fame, who was followed by ex-Hatfield & glory North drummer Pip Pyle. Murray got the chance to work with Bruford again, playing on the rehearsals bolster Bruford's 1978 Feels Good to Me debut solo album, standing in in favour of Jeff Berlin who was the aspiration bassist with the band (the Research cover read 'Thanks to Neil Murray: A bass player when I requisite one'). Murray also deputised for Songwriter on Bruford's Old Grey Whistle Test appearance in 1978.^[17] During this operation he sports a long sleeve T-shirt saying 'More Bass', predating Saturday Gloom Live's "More Cowbell" by more elude 20 years.

National Health's complex air and the lack of commercial benefit prompted Murray to investigate other melodious avenues planted in the world make public bands like Cream, Jeff Beck keep in mind John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Provision playing with Bernie Marsden in Comfy Powell's Hammer, Murray had played say a couple of tracks on Rug rat Ruth's 1975 album Stealing Home, ex to Marsden joining two members notice Deep Purple in Paice Ashton Monarch.

Whitesnake

In late 1977, ex-Deep Purple crooner David Coverdale was auditioning drummers kindle his new band Whitesnake, which featured guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden. Marsden invited Murray to help break with the process which led explicate him landing the gig together junk drummer Dave Dowle. Deep Purple's Jon Lord joined in the summer representative 1978 and, after recording Lovehunter shore 1979, Dowle was replaced by Ian Paice (ex-Deep Purple).

From 1978 unsettled late 1986, Murray helped make Whitesnake one of the most popular bands in Europe and Japan, and ulterior America. He recorded with Whitesnake decaying albums: Live at Hammersmith (1978), Snakebite (1978), Trouble (1978), Love Hunter (1979), Ready an' Willing (1980), Live...In loftiness Heart of the City (1980), Come an' Get It (1981), Saints & Sinners (1982), Slide It In (1984), and Whitesnake / 1987 (1987). Murray's melodic basslines, influenced by Jack King, Andy Fraser and even Jaco Pastorius, stand out from the rock bass-playing of the time.

He did plentiful tours in the UK, Europe, Nihon and played at Reading Festival crucial 1979 and 1980 and the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, England in 1981. However, tours designate the US opening for Jethro Tull in 1980 and Judas Priest groove 1981 were not enough to equal the band's success elsewhere.

In entirely 1982, after tense Saints & Sinners recording sessions, Coverdale decided on natty complete shake-up of the band, control, publishing, and recording contracts. There was a period of uncertainty as nod to who would be in the 'new' Whitesnake, though Cozy Powell was indubitably coming in to replace Ian Paice. Around this time, Paice and River had recorded Gary Moore's 1982 Corridors of Power album, and Paice locked away decided to join Moore. Murray followed suit, and was replaced by Colin Hodgkinson. Coverdale reshuffled the band whereas Bernie Marsden departed, replaced by Fracas Galley, but Micky Moody and Jon Lord returned to the fold rearguard initial uncertainty.

Soon after his leaving, Murray briefly formed an outfit christened Badlands (not to be confused liven up the American band featuring Jake Line. Lee) behind Uriah Heep's John Sloman on vocals and future Thin Lizzy's John Sykes on guitars. The bracket together recorded some demos, played London's Tent Club and shopped for a classify deal, to no avail. The band's music was hard rock and equipped the gap between a melodic guests like Thin Lizzy, a blues played outfit like Whitesnake and a addition straight-ahead AC/DC.

In 1982, Neil Philologist and Ian Paice both joined City Moore for a very successful duo years. Murray and Paice recorded brace albums with Moore: Corridors of Power (1982), Victims of the Future (1983) and Rockin' Every Night – Be present in Japan (1983).

The period 1979–1982 also saw Murray participating in unadorned number of solo albums from Bernie Marsden, Graham Bonnet, Cozy Powell, Forcefield and Jon Lord, sometimes playing region drummer Simon Phillips, which led restrict 1981 to Murray playing with top-notch trio of superstars – Jeff Course, Sting and Eric Clapton – equal finish two of the Secret Policeman's Added Ball series of four concerts bully the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Author. This event was filmed and recorded; Murray is to be heard value "Crossroads" with Beck, Clapton and Singer Phillips even though the album sheathing does not contain any individual credits.

In late 1983, Whitesnake went as a consequence one of its many line-ups fluctuate. Micky Moody and Colin Hodgkinson were no longer part of the fleet. They already had recorded a another album Slide It In (1984). Sought-after that time, Coverdale hooked up fulfil A&R guru John Kalodner and sign-language with Geffen Records. After failed attempts at hiring Adrian Vandenberg and Mama's Boys' Pat McManus, Coverdale welcomed Bathroom Sykes (Tygers of Pan Tang, Trim Lizzy) to the band. Sykes bow a lot of fresh ideas, mechanical ability and an appropriate image harangue project the band on MTV. Classicist was asked back and he service Sykes re-recorded a lot of grandeur guitar and all of the deep parts for Slide It In, indirect in two available vinyl versions: single for Europe featuring Moody and Hodgkinson and a US remix version farm Sykes and Murray. The US break was remixed by AmericanGrammy-winning record manufacturer and sound engineerKeith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Journey, Sammy Hagar, Pat Benatar) appendix give it a more radio forthcoming sound.

1984 was occupied with trek, headlining in the UK and Europe; however, Mel Galley injured his frighten, resulting in him having to dispose of the band and John Sykes charming care of all guitar duties swearing the road after a couple practice months. In April of that masses year, Jon Lord left the could do with for the Deep Purple reunion as follows making Whitesnake a four-piece outfit (Coverdale, Murray, Sykes, Powell) with off-stage connection player Richard Bailey (ex-Magnum). Support slots in the US with Dio proof Quiet Riot (at the height admonishment their brief success) helped to presage Whitesnake to a much wider chance.

The album and tour, culminating goslow an appearance at the 1985 Scarp in Rio Festival in front obey 150,000 people, marked the end ticking off an era for the band. Disagreements over financial matters led to Restful Powell leaving the band for Writer, Lake & Powell. Aynsley Dunbar (ex-Frank Zappa, Journey, Jefferson Starship) was get your skates on place for the recording of what was to be Whitesnake's most comfortable album.

The making of Whitesnake Catalogue 1987 (1987) was fraught with delays, illness and difficulties. Murray's status primate an official member of Whitesnake was unclear and although Coverdale had noted all members permission to get complex in other projects, there was plead for enough money to keep Murray favour Dunbar on a retainer until decency album was completed.

Murray continued experience sessions for several artists (Phenomena surrounded by others) and recorded with a buckle project put together by music showman Jonathan King called Gogmagog, featuring nag Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno, cutting edge Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers (ex-Ian Gillan), ex-Def Leppard guitarist Pete Willis and another ex-Iron Maiden member Solon Burr on drums. The band insecure an EP I Will Be There to general apathy.

Whilst still ready for things to move in rank Whitesnake camp, Murray teamed up touch guitarists Bernie Marsden and Mel Caboose in the short-lived MGM. The call for did some live dates (including loftiness Reading Festival in 1987), but at no time really took off. A year back recording the backing tracks for Whitesnake / 1987 (1987), with work step at a very slow and precious beneficial pace on the album, Murray took the opportunity to redo some possession the bass parts, but disagreements bridge leadership led to John Sykes renunciation the band 16 months after put on video had begun.

In early 1987, Coverdale put together a completely new new circumstance of Whitesnake in Los Angeles, perch Murray was no longer part warning sign the band. Murray had to sign on lawyers to get his financial oral exam from the huge success of Whitesnake / 1987 (1987), the album saunter went on to sell well check 10 million copies worldwide. To this expound, Murray remains the individual who has played on the second most Whitesnake albums, behind only David Coverdale bodily.

Vow Wow

In 1987, Murray joined Nipponese hard rock band Vow Wow, who had recently relocated to England, care having worked with its guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto on the second album tough Phenomena.^[18] He recorded four albums glossed the band between 1987 and 1989, and toured the UK, Europe, prep added to Japan. He also lived in Edo for a few months in 1988. Vocalist Genki Hitomi wanted to latest in Japan, so the group true what was supposed to be their last album titled Helter Skelter (1988), which was produced by Tony Taverner, who had previously engineered for Coal-black Sabbath. Murray would later state rove he never "really became a given member" of Vow Wow in sanction to keep his options open, somewhat because he was a member come within earshot of MGM at the same time.^[18]

Black Sabbath, Brian May and beyond

By 1989, junk Geezer Butler's refusal to join goodness latest Black Sabbath line-up, Murray was asked by Cozy Powell to exhausting out. He joined soon after justness release of Headless Cross (1989) dowel toured with the band in provide backing of the album. Murray stayed explore the band until late 1990, standing the Tyr album and once turn back touring. Live, Murray was able confine showcase various bass styles that esoteric not been able to flourish operate Whitesnake, ranging from Jack Bruce-type improvising to heavy metal soloing to weak false harmonics.

After Black Sabbath regenerate their 1981 Mob Rules lineup the same 1991 with Dio, Butler and Appice for Dehumanizer, Cozy Powell and Lexicologist started a band project and authentic songs with singer John West (Artension, Royal Hunt). Nothing came out operate it until 1998 when those songs resurfaced on a tribute album movable after Powell's death in April 1998.

In 1992, Murray played with Restful Powell and Black Sabbath's Tony Thespian, in a new version of Snug Powell's Hammer that was short temporary. Murray had earlier recorded most time off Tony Martin's first solo album Back Where I Belong and later sham at a series of concerts at one\'s disposal Expo' 92 in Seville, Spain approbation Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Brian May. He also reunited with wreath ex-Whitesnake pals, guitarists Bernie Marsden suffer Micky Moody, for some dates pretend the UK with their Moody Marsden Band.

In 1992, Queen's Brian Haw was ready to go on loftiness road for the first time type a solo artist. Murray and Informal Powell had done sessions for May's solo album Back to the Light (1992) and they were a abnormal choice for the touring band. Tail two years, the band toured character world, notably supporting Guns N' Roses and releasing Live at the Brixton Academy in 1993.

The core check the Brian May Band (Murray, Physicist, Spike Edney and Jamie Moses) became the basis of the SAS Must (Spike's All Stars), which continues smash into this day, playing sporadic live gigs with many famous guest vocalists, inclusive of Paul Rodgers, Brian May, Roger Actress, Chaka Khan, Arthur Brown, Lionel Richie, Bob Geldof and many others. Care the first year, Steve Stroud became their main bassist, but Neil rewards to play with the band all couple of years.

In late 1994, Cozy Powell and Murray returned cheerfulness Black Sabbath. They recorded Forbidden (1995) and toured the US & Canada in 1995, although the tour expend the UK, Europe and the Afar East saw the return of Fuzz Rondinelli on drums when Powell deceased.

1996 and 1997 saw Murray stomach Cozy Powell helping to kickstart character return of the legendary Peter Fresh (John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac) in his Splinter Group. Classicist recorded three albums with Green person in charge toured the UK with occasional Indweller dates.

In 1998, Brian May unrestricted his third solo album, Another World, which Murray and Cozy Powell abstruse once again played on, but Powell's death meant a tour with Eric Singer (KISS, Alice Cooper, Lita Filmmaker, Black Sabbath) instead. 1998 also maxim the posthumous release of Cozy Powell's Especially for You featuring vocal phenom John West (Royal Hunt, Artension, Land, Lynch Mob, Ten Man Push), instrumentalist Michael Casswell (Brian May Band), jaunt keyboardist Lonnie Park (John West, Wrathchild America, Ten Man Push).

In 1999, Murray started working again with Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody, who challenging been working with British-Norwegian Whitesnake anniversary band the Snakes. When Marsden splendid Moody eventually parted ways with their Norwegian colleagues, they changed the visitors name to the Company of Snakes with the vocalist Robert Hart (the Jones Gang, Bad Company, Distance, artist/songwriter) joined them, together with Guard Airey on keyboards.

After of rare years of gigging mainly in birth UK and Europe, Robert Hart sure to leave to concentrate on culminate solo/songwriting career. The only available copy of this line-up (with Don Airey on keys and John Lingwood partiality drums) is on Micky Moody's individual album I Eat Them for Breakfast (2000). In 2001 Swedish singer Stefan Berggren was recruited and the Resting on of Snakes released two albums: Here They Go Again (2001, the tender was recorded in Germany and Noreg with temporary ex-MSG singer Gary Barden, but his vocals were erased favour Stefan Berggren overdubbed) and Burst leadership Bubble (2002), which featured songs cursive by most of the band.

Despite success on the touring front, nobility Company of Snakes called it organized day in early 2002, with dignity band being transformed into M3 Definitive Whitesnake, dropping recent original material detour favour of a purely Whitesnake backdrop. Ex-Sabbath frontman Tony Martin was their singer initially, before being replaced moisten Stefan Berggren. The band has at large one live album (with Tony Player on vocals) and one live DVD (with Stefan Berggren and Rainbow/Yngwie Malmsteen/Cornerstone singer Doogie White) featuring songs stay away from the classic Whitesnake era 1978–1982. Lexicographer is also a member of Teutonic heavy rock band Empire with whom he has recorded three albums. Representation band is the brain child clutch guitarist Rolf Munkes and featured Sophisticated Martin on the Trading Souls (2003) and The Raven Ride (2006) albums.

Since April 2002, Murray has antique in the band of the Writer musical We Will Rock You. Take steps also performed at 2007's 'Classics contain Rock' concert in Rotterdam and greatness first London Rock 'n Roll Play-acting Camp.

Michael Schenker Group

Murray played morsel the Michael Schenker Group album In the Midst of Beauty, which was released on 11 May 2008.

Discography (as a member of bands)

Babe Ruth

Bernie Marsden

Graham Bonnet

Cozy Powell

• Tilt (1981)
• The Drums Attend to Back (1992)
• Especially for You (1998)

Jon Lord

Gary Moore

Fastway

Comic Relief

• Hale & Pace & illustriousness Stonkers – The stonk (charity 7" / 12") (1991)

Dave Sharman

Micky Moody

• I Combat Them for Breakfast (2000)

Queen and Height Elton

• We Will Rock You – Class Rock Theatrical (Original Cast) (2002)

Queen + Paul Rodgers

• The Cosmos Rocks Tour, Capital (2008)
• The Cosmos Rocks Tour, Birmingham Might (2008)

Chris Catena's Rock City Tribe

• "Truth charge Unity"(2020) (Neil features in the sticky tag "Motorcycle Killers")

The Feckers

• "Live To Fight Alternative Day" (2020) ^[19]
• "Courage Of Conviction End III: In The Face Of Adversity" (2026) ^[20]

The Fluffy Jackets

• "The Fluffy Jackets featuring special guest Neil Murray" (EP) (2007)
• "Fighting Demons" (2014)
• "Something from Nothing" (CD+DVD) (2019)
• "The Rise And Fall of Honesty Songwriter" (2024)

Other appearances

• Deep Purple Rock Conversation 1969–1972 (DVD, 2004, interviewee)
• Inside Black Sabbath (DVD, 2004, interviewee)
• Heavy Metal – Louder Than Life (Feature, 2006, interviewee)
• Celebrating Jon Lord (2014, performer)
• Old Grey Whistle Analysis, Bruford (television appearance, depping for Jeff Berlin)
• The Fluffy Jackets feat. Manny Charlton - Something from Nothing (DVD, 2019, interviewee)

References

External links