Classic Metal Alcatrazz

Magic · Apr 6, 2018

Albums: (with links to album info)

Former Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group vocalist Graham Bonnet formed the band in 1983 in Los Angeles. He was accompanied at first by Shrapnel Records owner Mike Varney’s Swedish protégé Yngwie J. Malmsteen, after his departure from Ron Keel’s Steeler. Both teamed up with New England’s bassist Gary Shea and keyboard player Jimmy Waldo, along with Alice Coopers drummer Jan Uvena. This line-up recorded the debut No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll during 1983, scoring success in Europe and Japan in particular. The following album was recorded live at the Nakano Sun Plaza on January 28th, 1984 and was entitled Live Sentence.

Malmsteen parted ways with the band in bitter circumstances in 1984 to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by former Frank Zappa guitarist Steve Vai, who took guitar duties on the band's second album Disturbing the Peace, which was released through Capitol Records after Rocshire Records collapsed.

Vai left in 1986 to join David Lee Roth. The band found a replacement in another former Alice Cooper member, Danny Johnson. With a new guitar player lined-up, the group recorded its third and final studio album to this day, entitled Dangerous Games.

(From Encyclopaedia Metallum)

Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live