|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZOUTLAWS, TheSouthern rock band formed in Tampa FL late '60s; became one of the last in genre to make national mark on signing to new Arista label. Like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet they had a multi-guitar front line: Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones, leads, Henry Paul, rhythm; other members were Monte Yoho, drums, Frank O'Keefe, bass. They combined Eagles-style harmonies with the hard-driving guitars. Outlaws '75 was refreshingly up-tempo debut, prod. by Paul Rothchild (d 30 March '95 aged 59; prod. Doors, etc), incl. top 30 hit 'There Goes Another Love Song'. Opened for Stones, Who, etc but failed to improve on promising vinyl debut: after similar Lady In Waiting '76, Hurry Sundown '77 (O'Keefe replaced by Harvey Arnold, Paul by Freddy Salem; Paul had some success as Henry Paul Band: Grey Ghost '79, Feel The Heat '80) Bring It Back Alive '78 packaged the live act, with second drummer David Dix added, playing on alone as Yoho left. Playing To Win '78, In The Eye Of The Storm '79, Ghost Riders In The Sky '80 (title track second and last top 40 single) followed by Los Hombres Malo, by which time Thomasson was the only original member left. The sound remained the same, however; as with Status Quo in the UK, this was at once their strength and weakness. High Tides Forever '82 was a compilation; they re- formed '86 for Soldiers Of Fortune with Paul, Thomasson. |