Uriah Heep Trivia Quiz

Answer: Toe Fat

Ken Hensley was with Toe Fat when Bronze Records executive and producer Gerry Bron asked him to join an already existing band on his label called Spice. Collectively the group then changed their name to Uriah Heep. The original lineup of Uriah Heep was Ken Hensley on keyboards, David Byron on vocals, Mick Box playing guitar, Paul Newton on bass guitar and Alex Napier on drums. David Byron, Mick Box, Paul Newton and Alex Napier were the members of Spice (formerly The Stalkers) before becoming Uriah Heep. Alex Napier had recently replaced drummer Nigel Pegrum, who had left to join folk rock legends Steeleye Span. Singer John Lawton was with the German band Lucifer's Friend before joining Heep in 1976.

Answer: Mick Box

In 1970 drummer Alex Napier was the first to leave the band. He was replaced by Nigel Olsson, who later left to work with Elton John. Ken Hensley stayed with the group working with replacements until 1980. Bassist Paul Newton left the band in 1972. He was briefly replaced by Mark Clarke, then bassist Gary Thain was with the band from 1972-1975. On December 8th, 1975, the New Zealand-born Thain was found dead from a reported heroin overdose at age 27. David Byron stayed with the group through 1975.

He allegedly became unreliable because of alcohol abuse and was asked to leave. He tried to revive his career with a band featuring former members of Humble Pie and Wings without success. He died of liver disease at age 38 on February 28th, 1985.

Answer: Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble

The band released several successful albums in the seventies. Their debut album was "Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble". The album title is derived from the signature phrase of the Dickens character Uriah Heep. The Uriah Heep character is from the from the novel "David Copperfield" from which the band took its name.

In the US the album was titled "Uriah Heep". The album received a very critical review by "Rolling Stone" magazine. Their second album was "Salisbury". Their third album was 1971's "Look at Yourself" which included the single "July Morning". "Demons and Wizards" was released in 1972.

Answer: Demons and Wizards

"Easy Livin'" entered the US Top 40 at number 39, making it Heep's first American hit. "Easy Livin'" was also a big hit in New Zealand and Germany. The follow up to "Easy Livin'", "Sweet Lorraine" reached number 91 in the US. Uriah Heep went on to have a big following in New Zealand and Germany.

They continue to perform there as well as at stadium-sized venues in The Netherlands, Scandinavia, the Balkans, Japan and Russia. "Demons and Wizards" contained "Easy Livin'" and the album eventually went Platinum in the US. "Wonderworld" is a 1974 release.

Answer: Ozzy Osbourne

Kerslake joined Uriah Heep in in November, 1971, and left the band in October, 1979. He later rejoined them in April of 1982. During his hiatus from Heep he was hired by Ozzy Osbourne during which time he recorded Ozzy's "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman" albums.

He played with bass guitarist Bob Daisley on the sessions and Daisley later joined Uriah Heep. On the "Diary of a Madman" notes Kerslake and Daisley aren't credited. Kerslake was never with Ritchie Blackmore in Rainbow or Deep Purple.

He was with The Gods before joining Heep. In early 2007 the Uriah Heep website made the announcement that Kerslake was leaving the band due to ongoing health problems.

Answer: John Sloman

John Sloman replaced John Lawton and was the vocalist on "Conquest". The LP was not well received by Heep fans which contributed to Ken Hensley's departure in September of the same year. Mick Box picked up the pieces and carried on with a new singer named Pete Goalby who had been with the band Trapeze. Two early 1980s releases were "Abominog" and "Head First".

The albums changed the band's sound to a more contemporary style and generated renewed interest in Uriah Heep among glam metal fans. Vocalist Bernie Shaw has been a member since 1986.

Answer: Roger Dean

Other Heep albums he designed include "Sea of Light" and "Acoustically Driven" as well as "Remasters: The Official Anthology" in 2001. Other groups who have used Dean's cover art include Yes, Asia and Rick Wakeman. His first album cover art work was in 1968 for a group called Gun.

In 1971 he produced the cover for the first album by Osibisa which established his reputation as an artist. Later that year he designed his first album cover for the group Yes for their album, "Fragile". Dean has been responsible for the cover artwork for several video games, including "Tetris Worlds". David Stone Martin and Burt Goldblatt are primarily known for jazz album covers. Max's art work was a visual part of the psychedelic movement.

Answer: King Crimson

From 1972-1975 John Wetton was the bass player for King Crimson. The vocalist and bassist had been a college acquaintance of King Crimson founding member Robert Fripp. Wetton left an established band to join Uriah Heep and stayed until the following year. Rough Diamond is the band that David Byron was in after he left Heep. Wishbone Ash is the band Wetton played bass for staring in 1981, several years after he left Heep.

Answer: Salisbury

"Salisbury" was their second album and definitely placed the band in the progressive rock category. The title song is a 16-minute track featuring the 24-piece orchestra. Other tracks include "High Priestess", "The Park" and "Time to Live". "Look at Yourself" featured a sleeve with a die-cut opening on the front with a reflective foil mirror.

The concept was from Mick Box. Because the mirror is not a perfect reflecting surface the holder sees a distorted image of himself. "Fallen Angel" is the band's twelfth LP and was released in 1978. Chris Mercer played Saxophone on the project.

Answer: The Magician's Birthday

"Sweet Lorraine" is from the 1972 album "The Magician's Birthday". "Stealin'" is from the 1973 release "Sweet Freedom". "Return to Fantasy" is the eighth studio album released by Uriah Heep and the first with John Wetton as the band's bassist. "Firefly" is their tenth album.

It was also the first without singer David Byron. Regardless of their touring schedule the band returns to Britain for a tour each year that culminates in The Magician's Birthday Party. It takes place during November in London.

The event consists of fan gatherings at local venues featuring current and former band members. There is usually a finale concert with frequent guest appearances by former members. "Heepster" is the term referring to fans of Uriah Heep.