Budgie (band)

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Budgie

| image = Budgie (band).jpg

| caption = Budgie in 1974; left to right: Pete Boot, Tony Bourge, Burke Shelley.

| image_upright = 1.2

| origin = Cardiff, Wales

| genre = {{hlist|Heavy metal|hard rock{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/budgie-mn0000623985|title=Artist-Budgie|website=AllMusic|access-date=28 September 2012}}}}

| years_active = 1967–1988, 1995–1996, 1999–2010

| label = {{hlist|MCA|A&M|RCA|NPL}}

| associated_acts = Tredegar

| website = {{URL|budgie.uk.com}}

| past_members = Burke Shelley
Steve Williams
Craig Goldy
Tony Bourge
Ray Phillips
Pete Boot
Rob Kendrick
John "Big" Thomas
Duncan Mackay
Jim Simpson
Robert "Congo" Jones
Andy Hart
Simon Lees
Huw Lloyd-Langton

}}

Budgie were a Welsh heavy metal band from Cardiff. The band formed in 1967, and recorded a demo the following year.

In 1971, their first album was blues-oriented hard rock and produced by Rodger Bain, released by MCA. Later records found Budgie gradually moving into a harder and more aggressive sound. The band, usually a classic power trio with the occasional keyboard player, released ten albums, with MCA, A&M, and RCA, between 1971 and 1982, attracting a fair number of fans and achieving modest commercial success.

Budgie were one of the earliest heavy metal bands, and according to Garry Sharpe-Young they were a seminal influence on many acts of that scene,Sharpe-Young, Garry (2007), p. 30 particularly the new wave of British heavy metal, and later acts such as Metallica.[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110106] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206055645/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110106|date=6 December 2008}} The band have been noted as "among the heaviest metal of its day".Crocker 1993, p. 106 "Still recording into the eighties, Budgie was among the heaviest metal of its day."

History

Budgie formed in 1967 in Cardiff, Wales, under the name Hills Contemporary Grass. The original line-up consisted of Burke Shelley on vocals and bass, Tony Bourge on guitar and vocals and Ray Phillips on drums.{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/budgieofficialmyspace |title=Budgie's MySpace page |publisher=Myspace.com |access-date=29 February 2012}} After performing several gigs in 1968, the band changed their name to Budgie the following year and recorded their first demo. The band had initially considered going under the name "Six Ton Budgie", but decided the shorter single word variant was preferable.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+kingdom/south+glamorgan/cardiff/budgie |title=Artists :: BUDGIE |publisher=MusicMight |access-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823170929/http://musicmight.com/artist/united+kingdom/south+glamorgan/cardiff/budgie |archive-date=23 August 2011 }} Burke Shelley has said that the band's name came from the fact that he "loved the idea of playing noisy, heavy rock, but calling ourselves after something diametrically opposed to that".{{cite web |url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/the-top-14-birds-in-rock/ |title=Classic Rock " Blog Archive " The Top 14 Birds in Rock |publisher=Classicrockmagazine.com |date=24 February 2009 |access-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217050808/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/the-top-14-birds-in-rock/ |archive-date=17 February 2012 }}

Their eponymous debut album of strong, blues-oriented hard rock was recorded at Rockfield Studios with Black Sabbath producer Rodger Bain{{cite web|last=Henderson |first=Alex |url={{AllMusic|class=album |id=r2898 |pure_url=yes}} |title=Budgie – Budgie |website=AllMusic |access-date=29 February 2012}} and released in 1971. It was followed by Squawk in 1972. The third album, Never Turn Your Back on a Friend (1973), contained "Breadfan", which was covered by Metallica in 1987. Metallica had earlier covered another Budgie song, "Crash Course in Brain Surgery". Ray Phillips left the band before the fourth album In for the Kill! was recorded.{{cite book|title=The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=Colin Larkin|publisher=Guinness Publishing |date=1992 |edition=First |isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=361}} He was replaced by Pete Boot.{{cite web|last=Prato |first=Greg |url={{AllMusic|class=artist |id=p12471 |pure_url=yes}} |title=Budgie |website=AllMusic |date=30 May 2002 |access-date=29 February 2012}}

In late 1974, Boot left and was replaced by Steve Williams for the album Bandolier. For concerts promoting this album and the follow-up, If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules, the band were augmented by second guitarist Myf Isaac. Music from the 1978 LP Impeckable featured in the 1979 film J-Men Forever (shown frequently on the USA Network's "Night Flight" T.V. in the 1980s), which is now considered a cult classic. Bourge and Isaac left in 1978 and were replaced by ex-Trapeze guitarist Robert Kendrick and ex-Hawkwind guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton.{{cite web |url=http://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-a-to-k/artists-b/budgie-2/ |title=Budgie |publisher=Nostalgia Central|year=2017}} Langton's stint was short-lived as Kendrick convinced the band to dismiss him. In late 1978, having been dropped by A&M and with no recording contract, this line-up floundered, and after 12 months Kendrick was replaced by "Big" John Thomas (b. 21 February 1952) in late 1979. This line-up recorded two albums for Kingsley Ward's 'Active' label: Power Supply (1980) and Nightflight (1981). 1982 saw them signed to RCA for Deliver Us from Evil, their final recording for a major label.

File:Burke Shelley of Budgie, 1981.jpg in 1981]]

The band continued to have success during the new wave of British heavy metal period, playing the Reading Festival in 1980 and then headlining the festival in 1982.{{cite web|url=http://www.fatreg.com/timeline.html |title=Reading Festival timeline |website=Fatreg.com |access-date=9 March 2016}} They built a particular following in Poland,{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} where they played as the first heavy metal band behind the Iron Curtain, in 1982. Also notable was their tour in support of Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz Tour.[http://home.flash.net/~ulknatme/tourdate.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227065121/http://home.flash.net/~ulknatme/tourdate.htm|date=27 February 2011}}

The band stopped gigging in 1987. Members went into studio production, occasionally guesting on other projects; Thomas most notably worked on the Phenomena CD with Glenn Hughes{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album |id=r210987 |pure_url=yes}} |title=Phonomena – Phonomena |website=AllMusic |access-date=29 February 2012}}{{cite web|author=Phillip Hackney |url=http://www.whitesnake.f9.co.uk/Galley.html |title=Whitesnake |publisher=Whitesnake.f9.co.uk |access-date=29 February 2012}} out of the Black Sabbath studios.

Although the group had little commercial success in America, they have enjoyed a strong cult following in Texas,{{cite web|last=Prato |first=Greg |url={{AllMusic|class=album |id=r643915 |pure_url=yes}} |title=Life in San Antonio – Budgie |website=AllMusic |date=2 August 2002 |access-date=29 February 2012}} and received radio airplay from Joe Anthony and Lou Roney on KMAC/KISS radio in San Antonio in the 1970s,{{cite web|last=Mendiola |first=Jim |url=http://www.sacurrent.com/special/story.asp?id=64299 |title=San Antonio Current – SPECIAL ISSUES: Louder By Design |publisher=Sacurrent.com |access-date=29 February 2012}} as well as KSHE95 in St. Louis. The band reformed using various drummers for one-off gigs in 1995 and 1996 for outdoor festivals 'La Semana Alegre' in San Antonio, Texas. In 1999, the band officially reformed in Letchworth. They toured in 2002–2006, mostly in the United Kingdom, the NYC/NJ area, Dallas, and with a few shows in Europe including the Sweden Rock Festival and a return to Poland. In 2006, Budgie undertook a 35-date UK tour and released the album You're All Living in Cuckooland on 7 November. In 2007 they played in Sweden and Poland.

On 4 July 2007, Lees announced his departure from the band to concentrate on teaching and a solo career. Following the departure of Lees, Dio lead guitarist and songwriter Craig Goldy offered his services while Ronnie James Dio was completing commitments with Heaven & Hell. In February 2008, Craig Goldy accompanied Budgie on their first tour of Australia, and continued playing with the band as 'guest guitarist' for all their shows.

Budgie's November 2010 tour of Central Europe had to be cancelled as Shelley was hospitalised on 9 November in Wejherowo, Poland, with a 6 cm aortic aneurysm. After surgery, he returned to Britain for recovery.{{cite web |last=Shelley |first=Burke |title=Latest update 20 November |url=http://www.budgie.uk.com/news.html |publisher=Budgie.uk |access-date=11 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215144009/http://www.budgie.uk.com/news.html |archive-date=15 December 2010 }} This was effectively the end of the band.

On 3 March 2016, former guitarist John Thomas died at the age of 63 after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia. The news of his death was confirmed by drummer Steve Williams on Facebook: "My friend and fellow BUDGIE band member John Thomas sadly passed away last night. My thoughts are with the loved ones he left behind."{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-budgie-guitarist-john-thomas-dies/ |title=Former Budgie Guitarist John Thomas Dies |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=4 March 2016 |access-date=9 March 2016}}

In February 2018, former drummer Pete Boot died at the age of 67. For many years he had been coping with Parkinson's disease.

In April 2018, founder member and original drummer Ray Phillips released his autobiography.{{Cite web|url=https://budgieinpeckingorder.weebly.com/ray-phillips-book.html|title=Budgie books|website=Budgie books|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03}}

After more than a decade of health issues, including an aortic aneurysm and Stickler syndrome, Shelley died on 10 January 2022, at the age of 71.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/budgies-burke-shelley-dies-at-71/|title=BUDGIE's BURKE SHELLEY Dies At 71|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=10 January 2022 |access-date=January 10, 2022}}

Musical style and legacy

Budgie are best known as a hard rock and heavy metal{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r2900|label="Budgie: Bandolier" |first=Eduardo |last=Rivadavia |access-date=27 November 2011}} band who incorporated elements of progressive rock and humour into their musical style. With 1975's Bandolier, they began to also incorporate funk.

Budgie's music was described in the All-Music Guide as a cross between Rush and Black Sabbath. Burke Shelley's vocals have been compared to Geddy Lee due to his similar approach of high-pitched banshee wails (coincidentally, Shelley and Lee are also the bass players in their respective power-trio bands). Although Budgie remained quite obscure during their early career, many future stars of hard rock/metal have cited them as an important influence and covered their songs, including Iron Maiden,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/iron-maiden-mn0000098465/related |title=Iron Maiden – Similar Artists, Megadeth,Influenced By, Followers |website=AllMusic |access-date=15 February 2013}} Metallica,{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/metallica-mn0000446509/related |title=Metallica – Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers |website=AllMusic |access-date=15 February 2013}} Megadeth,{{cite web|author=Kory Grow |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/uncategorized/exclusive-excerpt-from-dave-mustaines-autobiography-meeting-lars-ulric.html |title=Exclusive Excerpt From Dave Mustaine's Autobiography: Meeting Lars Ulrich – Hard Rock & Heavy Metal News |Golden Gods Awards |website=Revolvermag.com |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=9 March 2016}} Van Halen,{{cite web|last=Prato |first=Greg |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-for-the-kill%21-mw0000202013 |title=In for the Kill! – Budgie : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |access-date=15 February 2013}} Melvins,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/melvins-mn0000349157/related |title=Melvins – Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers |website=AllMusic |access-date=15 February 2013}} Queens of the Stone Age, Alice in Chains,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/alice-in-chains-mn0000007920/related |title=Alice in Chains – Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers |website=AllMusic |access-date=15 February 2013}} and Soundgarden.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/soundgarden-mn0000001098/related |title=Soundgarden – Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers |website=AllMusic |access-date=15 February 2013}}

Metallica released a cover of "Breadfan" in September 1988 as a B-side to their "Harvester of Sorrow" single. It was later included on their 1998 album Garage Inc., and was also used as an encore during their 1988–1989 tour supporting their ...And Justice for All album. A live video version is present on the Live Shit: Binge & Purge boxed set, taken from their Seattle concerts on 29 and 30 August 1989 where it was performed in the second encore. It was also played with frequency during the Madly in Anger with the World Tour and World Magnetic Tour. A short clip of "Breadfan" is played at the beginning of the "Whiskey in the Jar" music video. They also covered "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" on the Garage Days Re-Revisited EP, which later appeared on the aforementioned Garage, Inc. album.

Members

Final lineup

Burke Shelley – lead vocals, bass {{small|(1967–1988, 1995–1996, 1999–2010; died 2022)}}
Steve Williams – drums, percussion, backing vocals {{small|(1974–1986, 1999–2010)}}
Craig Goldy – guitar {{small|(2008–2010)}}

Discography

=Studio albums=

class="wikitable"
Year !Album !UK !AUS{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=49}}
1971 \|Budgie \| – \| 36
1972 \|Squawk \| – \| –
1973 \|Never Turn Your Back on a Friend \| – \| –
1974 \|In for the Kill! \|29 \| –
1975 \|Bandolier \|36 \| 75
1976 \|If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules \| – \| 98
1978 \|Impeckable \| – \| –
1980 \|Power Supply \| – \| –
1981 \|Nightflight \|68 \| –
1982 \|Deliver Us from Evil \|62 \| –
2006 \|You're All Living in Cuckooland \| – \| –

class="wikitable"

Year

!Album

!UK

!AUS{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=49}}

1971

|Budgie

| –

| 36

1972

|Squawk

| –

1973

|Never Turn Your Back on a Friend

| –

1974

|In for the Kill!

|29

| –

1975

|Bandolier

|36

| 75

1976

|If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules

| –

| 98

1978

|Impeckable

| –

1980

|Power Supply

| –

1981

|Nightflight

|68

| –

1982

|Deliver Us from Evil

|62

| –

2006

|You're All Living in Cuckooland

| –

=Live albums=

class="wikitable"
Year !Album
1997 \|We Came, We Saw... (live compilation of 1980–1982 material)
1998 \|Heavier Than Air – Rarest Eggs (live compilation of 1972–1981 material)
2002 \|Life in San Antonio
2004 \|The BBC Recordings (live compilation of 1972–1982 material)
2005 \|Radio Sessions 1974 & 1978 (double album)
2022 \|Live Flight (includes live recordings from a tour in 2009)

class="wikitable"

Year

!Album

1997

|We Came, We Saw...
(live compilation of 1980–1982 material)

1998

|Heavier Than Air – Rarest Eggs
(live compilation of 1972–1981 material)

2002

|Life in San Antonio

2004

|The BBC Recordings
(live compilation of 1972–1982 material)

2005

|Radio Sessions 1974 & 1978
(double album)

2022

|Live Flight
(includes live recordings from a tour in 2009)

=Compilation albums=

class="wikitable"
Year !Album
1975 \|Best of Budgie
1981 \|Best of Budgie
1996 \|An Ecstasy of Fumbling – The Definitive Anthology
1997 \|Best of Budgie
2004 \|The Last Stage

class="wikitable"

Year

!Album

1975

|Best of Budgie

1981

|Best of Budgie

1996

|An Ecstasy of Fumbling – The Definitive Anthology

1997

|Best of Budgie

2004

|The Last Stage

=EPs=

If Swallowed, Do Not Induce Vomiting (1980, Active BUDGE 1)

=Singles (UK-exclusive unless stated otherwise)=

"Crash Course in Brain Surgery" / "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" (1971, MCA MK 5072)
"Whiskey River" / "Guts" (1972, MCA MK 5085)
"Whiskey River" / "Stranded" (1972, MCA 2185) – US-exclusive release
"Zoom Club (Edit)" / "Wondering What Everyone Knows" (1974, MCA 133)
"I Ain't No Mountain" / "Honey" (1975, MCA 175)
"Smile Boy Smile" / "All at Sea" (1978, A&M AMS 7342)
"Crime Against the World" / "Hellbender" (1980, Active BUDGE 2)
"Keeping a Rendezvous" / "Apparatus" (1981, RCA BUDGE 3) – UK No. 71
"I Turned to Stone (Part 1)" / "I Turned to Stone (Part 2)" (1981, RCA BUDGE 4)
"I Turned to Stone" / "She Used Me Up" (1981, Tonpress S-445) – Polish release
"Bored with Russia" / "Don't Cry" (1982, RCA 271)

Notes

References

The New Musical Express Book of Rock, 1975, Star Books, {{ISBN|0-352-30074-4}}
{{Cite book |last=Sharpe-Young |first=Garry |title=Metal: The Definitive Guide | publisher=Jawbone Press| year=2007| location=London| isbn=978-1-906002-01-5 }}
{{Cite book |last=Crocker |first=Chris |title=Metallica: The Frayed Ends of Metal |publisher=St. Martin's Press |year=1993 |location=New York |isbn=0-312-08635-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/metallicafrayede00croc }}

External links

[http://www.budgie.uk.com/ Official website]
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/budgie/ Budgie biography from BBC Wales]
{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p12471}}
{{Discogs artist|Budgie}}

Category:1967 establishments in Wales

Category:2010 disestablishments in Wales

Category:Welsh heavy metal musical groups

Category:Welsh hard rock musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1967

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1988

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1995

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1996

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1999

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2010

Category:Welsh musical trios

Category:Rock music groups from Cardiff

Category:Kapp Records artists

Category:MCA Records artists

Rock