Monday 21 July 2008

Steeler (USA)


Steeler was an early 1980s American heavy metal band from Nashville. Band members included Ron Keel on vocals and guitar, Michael Dunigan on lead guitar, Bobby Eva on drums and Tim Morrison on bass. After having relocated to Los Angeles they signed a record deal with Shrapnel Records. Label boss Mike Varney brought Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen into the band. They released a 45rpm vinyl single called 'Cold Day in Hell' and the B-side had the song 'Take Her Down'.

Eva left the band after a short while and was replaced by drummer Mark Edwards. This new line-up did not last long and released no albums or singles.

Soon, Dunigan and Morrison left Steeler and were replaced by Rik Fox on bass and an 18 year old Swedish guitarist, Yngwie Malmsteen. The new line-up released the band's first album, Steeler, it saw moderate commercial success and is now a sought after album for many fans of Malmsteen and Keel.

The final line-up of Steeler saw the departure of Malmsteen, Fox and Edwards who were all replaced by Kurt James on lead guitar, Greg Chaisson on bass and Bobby Marks on drums. This line-up also released no albums or singles. Due to constant change in band members, Steeler never got the major record label it required and Keel decided to split up the band and start a new project.

During Steeler's short time in the world of Heavy Metal, the band became quite popular in LA and even performed to some sold out venues.

Long after the split of the band, Keel felt it was appropriate to produce a compilation album with songs from the single, album, live show bootlegs and unreleased tracks. This album was released in 2005 and was titled 'Metal Generation: The Steeler Anthology.'

Ron Keel later formed his own project, Keel, with moderate commercial success later in the 1980s.

Yngwie Malmsteen was also lead guitarist for the band Alcatrazz, including Graham Bonnett (all vocals), Gary Shea (bass), Jan Uvena (drums) and Jimmy Waldo (keyboards). They released one album under this lineup ("No Parole From Rock N' Roll") and a live release, "Live Sentence". Later, Malmsteen began his solo project, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, which went on to produce numerous albums with a considerably increased commercial success.

Band Members

Ron Keel
Yngwie Malmsteen
Michael Dunigan
Bobby Eva
Tim Morrison
Mark Edwards
Rik Fox
Kurt James
Greg Chaisson
Bobby Marks

Discography

Cold Day in Hell (single)
Steeler released on Shrapnel Records 1983
Metal Generation: The Steeler Anthology released Majestic Rock Records on 2005

Listen to Steeler Music!



Watch Steeler Video!

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