Legendary Rock Group Angel will appear at the 2016 Vegas Rocks! Hair Metal Awards in Las Vegas on May 15th.
The group will receive the Glam Rock Legends Award in honor of their contributions and influence in music. Accepting the award will be Punky Meadows, Frank DiMino, Gregg Giuffria, Barry Brandt, and Felix Robinson. This will be the first time all band members have been onstage together since 1980.
From Frank DiMino, “It’s going to be lots of fun and we’re all looking forward to seeing one another! It’s been way too long.” Kalish Management confirmed the members are not performing at the event.
The show will be held at the Eastside Cannery Hotel & Casino. Also appearing are Twisted Sister, Scorpions, Quiet Riot, Doro Pesch, Kip Winger, and more. For more info visit vegasrocks.com.
Angel biography:
The band was formed in 1975 by guitarist Punky Meadows and bassist Mickie Jones in Washington, D.C. After becoming the house band at Bogeys the group built a strong following and eventually managers and record companies started to come around. Gordon Fletcher, a writer and reviewer for Rolling Stone and Creem Magazine would frequent the club and took notice of the band. Fletcher invited Gene Simmons from KISS to see them perform. Simmons was not only impressed, he was “blown away”.
That summer, Angel signed a management contract and relocated to Los Angeles. Their manager financed the recording of their first album with producers Big Jim Sullivan and Derek Lawrence. Casablanca Records signed them to a multi-album deal upon the recommendation of KISS without hearing a single note or seeing the band live. On October 23rd, 1975 their debut album was released and Angel was voted best new band by the reader’s poll of Circus Magazine. During that same year, they were awarded a gold record for the best and most promising new band in Japan. Their legendary live performances included an elaborate stage show incorporating magic tricks by magician Doug Henning, pyrotechnics, smoke, an incredible light show, a larger than life talking angel named Gabriel, members mysteriously appearing and disappearing onstage, and angelic all-white costumes. Many critics labeled them a glam band due to their flamboyant image. The progressive rock style from the first two albums would eventually evolve into mainstream hard rock on the 3rd and 4th albums. Later, due to record company pressure, the band adapted a more commercial rock sound with strong melodies and pop sensibilities as evidenced on their 5th album.
The group released a total of eight albums: Angel which includes their signature song The Tower, Helluva Band, On Earth As It Is In Heaven, White Hot Sinful, Live Without A Net, An Anthology and In The Beginning. Their television appearances included American Bandstand, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, and The Midnight Special.
The White Hot album included a version of The Rascal’s Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore which became the band’s highest charting single reaching #44 on Billboard. Angel toured non-stop for years with such names as Rush, Aerosmith, Styx, Ted Nugent, Blackmore’s Rainbow, Bob Seger, ZZ Top, Blue Oyster Cult, Judas Priest, Peter Frampton, and many others. The group traveled to Japan for a highly successful tour which included two nights headlining the legendary Budokan. Upon arriving at Narita Airport they were greeted by hundreds of screaming fans.
In the film Foxes starring Jody Foster, Angel appeared as themselves and their songs 20th Century Foxes and Virginia were included on the film’s soundtrack. Wild and Hot from the Sinful album was used in the KISS film, Detroit Rock City. Finally, in 1980 the band decided to call it a day. Years later a revamped version of the group was formed featuring DiMino and Brandt along with several new members. This resulted in a new album and live shows in Europe and the USA.
Since the band’s heyday each member has moved on to various music projects and business ventures. Frank DiMino became a well-respected vocal coach and in-demand session singer receiving a platinum album for his vocal contribution in the blockbuster film Flashdance. In 2015 he released his solo album Old Habits Die Hard under the moniker Dimino. Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria formed the AOR bands Giuffria and House of Lords resulting in several hit singles and international success. Bassist Felix Robinson toured with 707 and played on White Lion’s album Fight To Survive. Drummer Barry Brandt played on many LA sessions with different artists. Guitarist Punky Meadows whom Frank Zappa immortalized in the song Punky’s Whips will release his debut solo album in May, 2016. Tragically, founding member and original bassist Mickie Jones passed away from cancer in 2009.
One Response
This is cool-will they also play?
Eddie-listening to Billy Squier, Part 1 podcast. Loved hearing about Piper, but the 2-for-1 CD is out of print and going for over $400 clams on Amazon. Please get Rock Candy to re-issue it!