Firstly, we would like to wish all of our visitors, Gun Hill followers, those who have attended the group's concerts and simply fans of Gun Hill, John, Uriah Heep, Lucifer's Friend, etc., happy and successful New Year!

(John contunues...)

Looking back, Gun Hill have played some great gigs in 98' and the tours of Germany in Sept/Oct apart from all the hassles, were really great. We made a lot of new friends and a special thanks has to go to all the Heepsters who came to see us and made it all possible. A special thanks has to go to Erich Padberg and his band CENTURY who played a really stomping gig in Winterberg/Niedersfeld and to Jurgen Hovelman and the STAY ON TOP band who did us proud in Marburg.

(Vladimir again...)

Despite some rumours, GunHill has not disbanded. There are several candidates for the guitarist and drummer positions, you'd be really surprised to know some of the candidates' names... But of course we'll keep it all under wraps until the final decision is reached. :-) No doubt, next year we'll get to hear a new Gun Hill album (here's hoping!), and there are also plans for the first (ever!) American tour! Meanwhile, Stay On Top (German Heep fanclub) have come up with some really neat Gun Hill T-shirts! All info you need for ordering them is here. Also on Stay On Top page, check out live pictures of the band from latest German tour. Big thanks to fanclub and to Rodrigo Werneck the webmaster of Ken Hensley website.

Another big event which we're reporting here belatedly, is a live report from "historic" British Heepvention, which took place on the 12th December, 1998... I will not elaborate any further, just visit this page and you'll know yourselves just how it all happened and who was in attendance... :-) Point your browsers to Dave White's page (follow links), the photos are located on Alex's page here.

There are two pieces of news from the Gunhill front to report at this time.

The first one is that guitarist Dave Ross is not staying with the band after the German tour. To say it shortly, because of personal differences & opinions about longterm commitments...

Another is that drummer Chris Jones has left the band. He had another project going (which I know nothing about it...) and refused to play live dates with Gunhill in December.

:-(

Just to put something uplifting on the page - as a counter-balance to this overall sad news update... The first print of Gunhill's debut CD, "Nightheat", is now completely sold out. There was a re-print (same "indie" pressing), and there are just 200 copies left for sale. (But please note, this will be the absolute last lot...) And there are (really few) copies of "One Other The Eight" tape for sale. The tapes are L6 plus L1 pkg. & postage for Europe, and L2 pkg. & postage everywhere else.

As we reported, Dave Ross became new guitarist of Gunhill. He already played some UK and German dates.

Here are some impressions:

Peter Bethge ("Stay on top"): "Dave Ross, the new Guitar-Player give band a new dimension, it's a nice Guy, full concentrating, played the whole set after rehearsing only 4 times before going on this tour."

Pete Wharton: "I think he had enough to concentrate on after only 4 days to learn it. He did seem like a nice guy, a bit surprised by how many people wanted to talk to him in the pub I think."

There will be more info about him, right now here are some pictures:

The Les Humphries confusion...

Iris Lawton reports: 

"I also had a message from a friend in Frankfiurt, who had heard the message about Les' "death" on the radio.

I immediately switched on to the German TV channels (via satelite)and watched how the news developed.

Yesterday marked the end of a German TV detective series, which Les had written the music for, back in 1970.

A Bavarian radio station had tried to contact Les for days, due to this occassion, but only got the answerphone and left a message for Les to give them a call.

Yesterday morning Les' "twin brother Brian" phoned the station , saying that Les had died 3 Weeks ago in a car crash on Majorca. One of Les' ex-wives heard about this ,rung the papers, stating: "nevermind a twin, he hasn't even got a brother" !!!! Which is true, only a sister.

Press arriving at his doorstep, here in Alton,Hampshire,yesterday, were greeted by a rather confused man, stating he was Les.

Just went on to the German papers on the net, and they are having a field day about this "farce"."

Thanks to Iris Lawton and to Rolf Hoegemann for the info.

I wish for such news to appear wrong much more often then they are, typically. Vlad.

"Eureka!" - said John as he wrote us this news update:

"This is just a short mail to let you know we have found a player. His name is Dave Ross and he is an excellent Guitarist and sings a bit too. I will give you a bit more on his background as soon as the dust settles."

Wait for next news update soon!

Vladimir, 13 October 98.

1. The band just returned from September's German tour, and the first news we got to know was about Brian Bennet's leaving. It's really a pity because he always was (and is) excellent and unique guitarist who's style suited the band perfectly, but... It has nothing to do with so-called "musical differences", or whatever we're hearing usually as explanation of such events - just a difficulties in Brian's personal life. I think, we'll put more about this soon. And this leads to next part of the news...

2. Gunhill is looking for a guitarist. If you're located in Britain and think you can fit this place, or you know someone of this kind, email John at gunlaw@cwcom.net.

3. As some of you already know, gig at Tam Tam, 9 Sept., was cancelled due to a virus infection that John had got, unfortunately. They had started the show, but but John's voice was totally gone, and after the third number John announced that they would be stopping the gig, because it would be unfair to the people, who had paid a lot of money, not to get the best possible performance out of the band. The gig will be repeated on Wed. 28. October instead. Also few dates were added/updated, look at tour list page.

4. This is not related to John or Gunhill, but some english band called Uriah Heap (anybody still remembers them? :-)))) ), has released new studio album, 14th September. The album is called "Sonic Origami" and reviews are very favourable - we're glad Heep is still making great music! More on www.uriah-heep.com!

5. John & Iris Lawton's email address has changed - it's now <gunlaw@cwcom.net>. Old email will be operational for at least several months.

Vladimir, 21 September 98.

P.S. As you can see it's been a while since I updated this one. I'm sorry, I had a bit of problems accessing this page, hope it's all over now.

1. News of the months is of course a release of last Lucifer's album that wasn't released yet on CD - "Mind Exploding", 76. It was released on Repertoire, which gives us a hope it wouldn't be as expensive as japaneze reissues of next 3 albums. :)

You can order it, _for example_, from Alta Mira mailorder..., or from Terrible Ted's import music (note that I'm not responsible for those addresses, it's just recommendations from those who used them before).

Believe it or not, but John himself still has this album only on tape. One of best Lucifer's Friend albums in my opinion, nice mixture of Banquet-era jazz-rock with more straightforward melodic stuff like in next two albums.

2. Everyone know it now, so why to keep in secret? Probably rarest John Lawton song in a world, "River of Dreams", was recorded and sung by John exclusively as a gift to "Head Heepster on the Web", Dave White, who had his birthday at 25th July. You can read more about this at following address. Don't ask me how to get it because I don't have it myself and probably never will. :)

Vladimir, 3 August 98.

3. If any of russian Heepsters are reading this, I'm currently thinking of starting russian Heep fanclub. I will make fanzine, similar to UHAS-one, first issue will be for free, next - we will see then. :) I hope to get some responces via internet and I'm very curious for you opinions and for support. Postbox address will be added soon.

1. John Lawton's 52th birthday was 11th July, no doubdt we expressed our birthday greetings in emails, same did many of Heepsters on the Web. I'm very sorry that I was occupied with other things and didn't write in news section _before_ the birthday. If you like to write your greetings, there is always a guestbook for such things, just leave your message there.

2. Another interview with John Lawton in newest issue of UHAS magazine, he talks about Gunhill plans, Swiss/German tours, new Heep songs in setlist, etc, etc. Look here or write to uhas@compuserve.com about joining.

3. Not sure how is it appropriate for this section, but I attended Uriah Heep concert, Moscow, 8th July, and even talked, just a few words, with Mick, Lee and Bernie. I said (to Mick) a hello from John Lawton, by which he surely was impresssed (I wish so!).

4. Hope we will get more news soon. And maybe more John Lawton pages on the web - we will see! :)

1. New tour dates announced - for this summer and autumn German tours, in particular.

2. "Chris the drummer, has finally got married on June 6th, to a gorgeous girl called Judy, who comes from Taiwan. They are honeymooning in some hot climate at the moment...." -said John. We all happy for Chris! And wish him to spend good holidays.

3. Rehearsals, for the forthcoming autumn gigs, will start in July.. and there is talk about recording a new Cd by the end of this year, which is supposed to be of original songs ..... John and Brian have been working on composing new material already.

4. The band managed to keep brilliant guitarist Brian Bennett in - thanks Brian, for this smart decision. We need your playing in Gunhill. Meanwhile, new issue of "From Time To Time" - Uriah Heep (and rock music in general) fanzine, included interesting interview with Brian Bennett, where he spoke about his pre-Gunhill career. Some interesting names were mentioned, like Brian Connolly, Jimi Hendrix, Wishbone Ash, Martin Barre... All I need now is to get permission from Kevin to use it for the page. :)

5. First print of "Nightheat" album will be sold out soon. Then it will be re-mastered and re-printed on Rob Corich's Red Steel label, with several songs from "One Other The Eight" demo as a bonustracks, and of course with better packaging!

6. Heep "Live In Europe-79" remastered edition will not appear until this fall...

Vlad, 21 June 98.

1. As I wrote before, there is excellent interview with John Lawton in "From Time To Time" Fanzine, 1/98. "From Time To Time" is published by heepster Kevin Julie, and this interview is full of some interesting and unusual stuff! Great work, Kevin.

Anyone who want to order this issue (or subscribe to magazine) should contact Kevin Julie at his email address - <lunytune@vaxxine.com>. Single issue will be 3$.

2. Remember about Clive Rogers and his band Cobra? There is good website about them at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/cliverogers/

3. John Lawton and Gun Hill have been rehearsing doing new versions of HEEP songs, and, as John said, they are starting to sound good!

4. More info about new keyboardist (John tells):

"His name is Roger Stoetzlar, he lives on the Swiss/German border. We met him about 2 years ago at U.H. convention at which Gun Hill played. He is a member of Stay on Top U.H.fan club in Germany and he offered to organise a gig in Switzerland for us and that we could stay with him in his house, which is quite large and has a recording studio in the cellar. It's a great studio. His knowledge of Heep songs is very good and when we noticed he had 3 Hammond Organs, I think that said it all. We have a full rehearsal with him this weekend, so I will tell you how it went."

Vladimir, 20 March 98.

Latest news update from John! (Slightly re-formatted and edited by me... -Vlad.)

Gigs schedule:

     New/finalized dates for German/Swiss gigs, March/April (see tour dates section). Even a few for September! Further dates for England - May and July.

More about setlist:

     Gun Hill’s new set now includes some of the old favorite Heep songs from John’s time with them, incl. "Free Me", "Firefly", "Sympathy", "Keep on Riding", "Crime of Passion", "One more Night" and so on…. Also featured is Lucifer’s Friend’s "Ride the Sky". Most of these new numbers will only be played on their European dates though, because of the high demand over there.

New addition to the band !!!

     The band has been rehearsing their new set during the last couple of months, and will have a keyboarder with them for their Swiss/German gigs, to enhance the "Heep" numbers!! He is Roger Stoeltzer, who lives on the Swiss/German border, has been a friend of the band for quite a while and runs his own high tec, computerized studio "CAM". He owns three Hammond’s "B3" and knows all the "Heep" stuff "better than we do!!!" If all goes well he might feature on further European dates.

About new material...

     Unfortunately the writing of own material had to be put on the back burner for a while……

Cheers to Brian!

     Brian Bennett has become increasingly popular lately, receiving lots of e-mails, praising his excellent guitar playing. He feels very honoured, and I have to agree!!

Besides Gunhill there is..

     In January John went to Munich to re-record the Les Humphries Singers ‘70s hit "Mama Loo" with German top producer Robert Papst. At this time Robert is in discussion with two record companies about a possible release date during spring. (More by Tuesday 10 March). John recorded four different versions of the song, incl. hip hop, rapp, pop and rock, which will come out combined on CD.

CD distribution and release on Red Steel !

     Rob Corich of "Red Steel" will distribute Gun Hill’s CD "Nightheat" as from April. John had a meeting with him at the end of Feb. and there is also the possibility of Rob recording a Gun Hill "Live" gig in the near future.

     Please continue to order CD’s via UHAS and via Gun Hill by e-mail !!

Thanks to:

     Alan Hartley and Dave Owen of UHAS for all their support.

     Bernd Pleis and his "team" of Stay on Top, for their continued interest in Gun Hill.

     Thanks to everybody who left a message in my guestbook and to those who e-mailed with questions, comments and kind words. ( I’ am still trying to reply to everybody !)

And finally, we're wery glad to hear...

     Again a very special thanks to Alex Gitlin and Vladimir Milovidov for their hard work on the John Lawton/ Gun Hill website: http://www.aha.ru/~uheep/lawton. (Over 2000 visitors !!!!!)

P.S. Looking for advice...

…..anybody out there from Holland???…who knows of some good clubs for us to play at????

Vladimir, 9 March 98.

1. Gunhill "Nighheat" album is now distributed by Terrapin Mailorder with plans of new release of it on Rob Corich's "Red Steel" label in mind. For ordering info, refer to http://www.uriah-heep.com/heeprob.htm, or email at "TerrapinMO@aol.com".

2. There are plans of making some live recordings on Gunhill's upcoming tour!

3. "Good Time Warrior" was released, yeah! By now, it's orderable from "CD Europe", but price is a bit too high...

Vladimir, 7 March 98.

1. New German/Swiss tour is coming! Look at tourdates page.

Here are recent additions to Gun Hill setlist that I think every Heep fan would like:

Keep On Riding, One More Night, Been Hurt, Free Me, Lady in Black, Crime Of Passion, Sympathy and hopefully Ride The Sky.

2. There were "rumours" about LF "Good Time Warrior" being released on CD in Japan on same label as next two (actually, there was advert in japaneze Burrn magazine about all 3 albums).

3. "Mama Loo project" (with german producer Robert Papst) is "one signature away" (I'm quoting John here) from a recording deal! More details later...

Vladimir, 22 February 98. (sorry it took so long...)

The JAPANESE reissues of Lucifers Friend's "Sneak Me In" and "Mean Machine" have finally come out.

"Sneak Me In" was released in 1980 and features Mike Starrs (earlier with Colosseum II); "Mean Machine" - 1981 - John Lawton on vocals.

Both are great albums to have IMHO. The sound is crystal clear, much better than vinyl, and

If you're interested, call Buccaneer Records, while supplies last: (410)931-9380 (Maryland, USA)

Alex, 12 January 98.

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(c) 1997