King Kobra

Last updated

King Kobra
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Heavy metal, glam metal
Years active
  • 1983–1989
  • 2000–2001
  • 2010–present
Labels Capitol, New Renaissance, Frontiers
Members Carmine Appice
Johnny Rod
Paul Shortino
Carlos Cavazo
Rowan Robertson
Past members Marcie Free
Mick Sweda
Johnny Edwards
David Michael-Philips
Jeff Northrup
Larry Hart
Kelly Keeling
Steve Fister

King Kobra is an American heavy metal band founded by drummer Carmine Appice after his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne from 1983 to 1984. [1]

Contents

History

For their first two albums, the band consisted of four relatively unknown musicians: vocalist Marcie Free, guitarist David Michael-Philips, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist Johnny Rod. [1] After two albums on Capitol Records Ready to Strike (November 9, 1985) and Thrill of a Lifetime (1986)—and the independent release King Kobra III in 1988, Appice decided to dissolve the band and join guitarist John Sykes for his Blue Murder project in 1989. [2] [3]

A new King Kobra emerged in 2010 with Carmine Appice on drums, Paul Shortino taking over vocal duties, Mick Sweda on guitar, David Henzerling (a.k.a. David Michael-Philips) on guitar, and Johnny Rod on bass. This lineup released the self-titled album King Kobra in 2011 on Frontiers Records and another album in 2013, titled King Kobra II . [4]

The band went on hiatus following the release of their 2013 album, largely due to the other commitments of the individual band members, They played live gigs again in 2016 without Mick Sweda.

On July 18, 2023, the band announced their new album, We Are Warriors, will be released on August 11. The title track was also released as a single. The line up features new guitarists Carlos Cavazo and Rowan Robertson, formerly of Quiet Riot and Dio respectively. [5]

Band members

Current members

Former members

Timeline

King Kobra

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Soundtrack appearances

Notes

Related Research Articles

<i>King Kobra III</i> 1988 studio album by King Kobra

King Kobra III, released in 1988 on New Renaissance Records, was the first and last album by the Edwards, Michael-Phillips, Northrup, Hart and Appice line-up of King Kobra. After the demise of the original line-up, remaining members Carmine Appice and David Michael-Phillips teamed up with Johnny Edwards, Jeff Northrup and Larry Hart, all 3 members of the Sacramento, CA band Northrup at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Murder (band)</span> English rock band

Blue Murder were an English rock band led by guitarist-vocalist John Sykes. The group was formed in 1987 following Sykes's dismissal from Whitesnake. The initial line-up was rounded out by bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice. In its nascent stage, vocalist Ray Gillen and drummer Cozy Powell were attached to the project. In 1989, Blue Murder released their self-titled debut album, which cracked the Billboard 200 chart and spawned a minor hit with "Jelly Roll". By the early 1990s, however, Blue Murder's music had fallen out of fashion with the popularity of grunge. Franklin and Appice left the band, while Sykes put together a new line-up and released Nothin' But Trouble in 1993. After a live album the following year, Blue Murder were dropped by their record label and broke-up. Since then there have been numerous attempts to reunite the band to no avail.

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<i>Ready to Strike</i> 1985 studio album by King Kobra

Ready to Strike is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band King Kobra, released in 1985 by Capitol Records.

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Thrill of a Lifetime is the second album by the American hard rock band King Kobra, released in 1986 by Capitol Records. The album features "Iron Eagle ", the theme song of the 1986 film Iron Eagle. The music video of the song features Louis Gossett Jr. as Charles "Chappy" Sinclair from the film as the band members going through vigorous boot camp training.

Marcie Michelle Free is an American rock singer, best known as the lead singer of King Kobra, Signal and Unruly Child.

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<i>King Kobra II</i> 2013 studio album by King Kobra

King Kobra II is a 2013 album by the hard rock band King Kobra. It was the second release by the band King Kobra since its reformation by founding member Carmine Appice.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 189. ISBN   0-85112-656-1.
  2. "King Kobra (4)". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  3. "King Kobra III". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  4. "King Kobra - II". Metal-temple.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  5. "Carmine Appice's KING KOBRA Return With QUIET RIOT And DIO Members; "We Are Warriors" Single And Video Out Now". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles . July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.