Nazareth (band)
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Nazareth is a Scottish rock band that had several hard rock hits, as well as one pop hit, the Felice and Boudleaux Bryant composition "Love Hurts," in the '70s.
Nazareth was formed in 1968 in Dunfermline, Scotland, by vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet. The band moved to London, England in 1970, and released their self-titled debut album in 1971. After getting some attention with their second album Exercises, released in 1972, Nazareth released Razamanaz, which spawned two UK Top Ten hits, "Broken Down Angel" and "Bad Bad Boy." This was followed by two albums with the same sound, Loud 'n' Proud and Rampant, in 1974, that were less successful.
Nazareth's biggest album Hair of the Dog came in 1975. It, featuring the notable title track, which became a staple of 1970's rock radio, and their cover of the Everly Brothers' "Love Hurts," which took them into the pop charts, went platinum in the US, and was similarly big in the UK. This was followed by a series of albums that placed in the Top 100 on Billboard 200 in the US, and did as well in the UK. In 1979, guitarist Zal Cleminson joined the group, only to leave after recording two albums. He was replaced by keyboardist John Locke, who also left after guitarist Bill Rankin joined the group.
By the '80s, Nazareth had lost their fan base, and by the mid-'80s, were without a record contract, causing the band to go into hiatus. In the '90s, the band tried to make a comeback to no avail. Still the band continues, releasing albums through 2003.
Discography
- 1971 Nazareth
- 1972 BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (live)
- 1972 Exercises
- 1973 Razamanaz
- 1974 Loud 'N' Proud
- 1974 Rampant
- 1975 Hair of the Dog
- 1976 Close Enough for Rock 'n' Roll
- 1976 Hot Tracks (compilation)
- 1976 Play 'N' the Game
- 1977 Expect No Mercy
- 1978 No Mean City
- 1980 Malice in Wonderland
- 1981 The Fool Circle
- 1982 2XS
- 1983 Sound Elixir
- 1984 The Catch
- 1986 Cinema
- 1989 Snakes 'N' Ladders
- 1993 No Jive
- 1995 Snaz (live)
- 1995 Move Me
- 1998 Boogaloo
- 1998 Live at the Beeb (live)
- 2003 Alive and Kickingde:Nazareth (Band)