Rock Hard Forever: Badlands

Badlands was a bluesy hard rock band with some big names from the 80's metal scene, but whom made little impact with the general public. Constant infighting would destroy the band, and the death of vocalist Ray Gillen would seal their fate.

Badlands was formed by one time Black Sabbath voice Ray Gillen, and former Ozzy Osbourne axe-slinger Jake E. Lee. The two would quickly add unknown Greg Chaisson (bass) and drummer Eric Singer (ex of Lita Ford and Black Sabbath). The band released Badlands in June, 1989 to good reviews. The band released videos for the songs "Dreams In The Dark" and the Zeppelin-like "Winter’s Call", and both enjoying decent airplay on MTV. This boosted the album to its peak on Billboard’s album charts at no. 57. The self-titled debut would sell reasonably well backed by singles such as "Dreams In The Dark" and "Winter's Call." Singer would be gone by the time the second album came around, with Jeff Martin (Racer X) taking over on the drum stool. Voodoo Highway was a commercial disappointment, and farewell U.K. tour dates had Lee and Gillen at each other's throats, with Lee even threatening to bring in a female vocalist! It wasn't much longer that the band packed it in for good.

Eric Singer soon quit to join KISS following the death of drummer Eric Carr. Badlands picked up Jeff Martin, former vocalist for Surgical Steel and Racer X to take over on drums, and the band released Voodoo Highway in 1991. However, Badlands was slowly breaking apart at the seams. During the recording process, Lee accused Gillen of conspiring with their label to push the band in a more commercial direction. This subsequently led to Gillen being fired. However, since a tour of the UK had already been booked, the vocalist was temporarily re-admitted for its completion.

Eric Singer would go to become the most famous of the Badlands alumni, touring and recording with both Alice Cooper and Kiss. Jake E. Lee continues to release solo albums without much fanfare, never coming close to reaching the lofty heights he achieved as a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band. Ray Gillen went on to join Sun Red Sun, but would pass away from AIDS on December 3, 1993 before recording for the debut album was finished. A posthumous album of rarities and b-sides was released as Dusk in 1999.

Majestic vocals mixed with soulful and emotional six-string histrionics made Badlands a band to remember, unfortunately few people did.

Former members

Ray Gillen
Jake E. Lee

Greg Chaisson

Eric Singer

Jeff Martin

John West

Dicography

Badlands 1989 (#57)

One Night in Boston 1990

Voodoo Highway 1991 (#140)

Dusk 1998