Keel (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Keel


Img_capt = Keel band logo.
Img_size = 250
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Los Angeles
Genre = Glam metal, Heavy metal
Years_active = 1983–1989
1998
Label = Shrapnel, Gold Mountain, Gold Castle MCA
Associated_acts = Black Sabbath, Steeler, Badlands, Pantera
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =

Keel was a Glam metal, heavy metal band founded in 1983 in Los Angeles. They were formed by former Steeler vocalist Ron Keel, after an unsuccessful audition for Black Sabbath. The original members were : Ron Keel, vocals; former ICON guitarist
David Michael Phillips; Marc Ferrari lead & rhythm guitars; Bobby Marks drums; and Kenny Chaisson, bass guitar. Within months Phillips left to join King Kobra, replaced by Bryan Jay. This was the lineup for their 1984 debut album " Lay Down the Law". After its release Bobby Marks left and was replaced by Steve Riley. Riley left early in the recording of their second album to join W.A.S.P., and was in turn replaced by Dwain Miller, forming a lineup which would remain stable for almost 4 years. Their second album, which caught the eye of Kiss's Gene Simmons (though the first featuring this lineup) was "The Right To Rock", released on March 26, 1985. Their Gene Simmons-produced 3rd album "The Final Frontier" was released on April 30, 1986. It included the single "Because the Night", a song that was co-written by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen and had been a hit for Smith in 1978.

In 1986 Keel won the best band of the year award in the 2nd annual Metal Edge magazine reader's poll, beating such noted bands as Iron Maiden & Judas Priest.

In 1987, the song "Rock & Roll Outlaw" appeared on the soundtrack of the movie "Dudes". Their 4th album, "Keel," was released on June 21, 1987, recorded with famed producer Michael Wagener. An unreleased track from the album, Ferrari's "Proud To Be Loud", would eventually wind up on Pantera's "Power Metal" album, which Ferrari produced early in 1988.

Ferrari & Jay both left in 1988, after touring in support of the "Keel" album. They were replaced by Scott Warren & Tony Palamucci.

Their 5th album, "Larger Than Live", was released in 1989 with 6 new studio recordings, including a cover of the 1980 Humble Pie song "Fool For A Pretty Face". Also on the album were 6 live tracks recorded in March 1989.

In the 1990s Marc Ferrari would write a gear column for Metal Edge magazine entitled "Power Sources", and went on to form Cold Sweat, who would release the album "Break Out" in 1990. After the demise of that group, Ferrari appeared in both "Wayne's World" movies (as the guitarist for Tia Carrere's band "Crucial Taunt") and formed the band Medicine Wheel, which released 3 CDs. In addition, he released 2 solo CDs and started a music publishing company called MasterSource (www.mastersource.com), employing Ron Keel to write material for the library.

In 1998 Keel's 6th album "Keel VI: Back In Action" was released. It mainly consisted of unreleased material from their previous albums, including the aforementioned "Proud To Be Loud".

Their song "Speed Demon" (from "The Right to Rock") is briefly heard on the 2002 movie Men in Black II, and appears on Mike Varney's "U.S. Metal Vol.IV" compilation.

Ron Keel is currently involved in country music and records with the band Iron Horse.

Marc Ferrari recently wrote a book called "Rock Star 101".

Discography

*1984 - "Lay Down the Law"
*1985 - "The Right To Rock"
*1986 - "The Final Frontier"
*1987 - "Keel"
*1989 - "Larger Than Live"
*1998 - """The Right To Rock" and "The Final Frontier" albums were produced by KISS' bassist Gene Simmons.

External links

* [http://ronniekeel.tripod.com/index.htm Ron Keel homepage]
* [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/ronkeel.html Historical Interview with Ron Keel]
* [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/marc_ferrari.html Historical Interview with Marc Ferrari]