Alcatrazz

ALCATRAZZ was formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, California by legendary rock vocalist (and Australian pop sensation) Graham Bonnet. Bonnet was a veteran of both Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group Using Rainbow and MSG as templates, Bonnet enlisted Swedish guitar sensation Yngwie Malmsteen, whose only work of note up until then had been as a member of Ron Keel's Steeler. Filling out the band's ranks were keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and bassist Gary Shea - both of 70's AOR underdog New England, and ex-Alice Cooper drummer Jan Uvena. The group's debut record, 'No Parole from Rock 'n Roll' (Polydor), yielded a hit single, "Island in the Sun". The video for the song became somewhat of a staple on MTV, and a followup video was made for "Hiroshima Mon Amour". Alcatrazz then released the 'Live Sentence' (Polydor) album, recorded during the band's inaugural Japanese tour. the band drafted in ex-Frank Zappa guitarist Steve Vai for 1985's 'Disturbing the Peace' (Capitol) redefined the band's vision. Lead single "God Blessed Video" was fresh, innovative and featured in high rotation on both MTV and USA's Night Flight. The band recorded 'Dangerous Games' (Capitol) in 1986.Bonnet went on to record with guitarist Chris Impellitteri and Bob Kulick's Blackthorne. He also returned to his solo career, releasing several solo CD's. 'The Day I Went Mad' (Victor Japan) was arguably the best of these, and featured Slash (Guns N Roses) and Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard). 1998 saw the release of 'The Best of Alcatrazz' (Dreamcatcher), which compiled tracks from all eras of the band, and was intended to be the final word. In 2003, bassist Tim Luce, who had worked with Graham Bonnet on various recordings including 'Anthem', introduced the singer to guitarist Howie Simon. At the time, Simon was working with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey) and the Swedish group Talisman. Bonnet, Simon and Luce invited powerhouse drummer Glen Sobel (Impellitteri/Beautiful Creatures) to sit in with them at a few low-key LA concerts. The group discovered they had a unique and exciting chemistry, but prior commitments kept them from venturing any further - until now. ALCATRAZZ is back! The band is currently writing a new CD, to be released in 2007, and will be returning to concert stages worldwide. The band's high-energy live show will incorporate all the Alcatrazz classics, as well as highlights from Graham Bonnet's years with Rainbow, MSG and Impellitteri. The band's return to the scene of the crime proves there really is no parole from rock 'n roll! ...................................... Todd Seely 2006