Nazareth

Starting out as fresh-faced, mop-topped Beatles-wannabes in the early 1960s, Nazareth grew into a grizzly, long-haired hard rock institution, responsible for some of the heaviest and most ferocious riffs ever heard in Scotland. Originally formed in Dunfermline as The Shadettes by front man Dan McCafferty and guitarist Manny Charlton, they changed direction in 1968 and became Nazareth after hearing the loud force of bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. After the release of their first two albums – Nazareth (1971) and Exercises (1972) - their big breakthrough came when third album Razamanaz (1973) reached Number 11 in the UK charts and produced the Top 10 singles “Broken Down Angel” and “Bad, Bad, Boy.” Nazareth continued their ascent with acclaimed records Loud 'n' Proud (1973) and Rampant (1974) before finally breaking the US market with their album Hair Of The Dog (1975) and the hit single “Love Hurts.” The band’s reputation continued to grow through the years with the release of other acclaimed albums such as Close Enough for Rock ‘n’ Roll (1976), Expect No Mercy (1977), and Malice In Wonderland (1980). When new wave and punk came along, Nazareth’s commercial hold on the charts began to slip, although they continued to be a popular live draw. Guitarist Manny Charlton left the band in 1990 and was replaced by Billy Rankin, who was later replaced by Jimmy Morrison. Original Nazareth drummer Darrel Sweet died on April 30, 1999, and was succeeded by bassist Pete Agnew’s son Lee. Nazareth’s 2008 ‘comeback’ album The Newz was their first album in 10 years and paved way for Big Dogz (2011) and Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone (2014) before singer and front man Dan McCafferty had to leave the band because of health issues. With new vocalist Carl Sentence, the renewed quartet recorded the albums Tattooed on My Brain (2018) and Surviving the Law (2022). Original guitarist Manny Charlton died on July 5, 2022, at the age of 80. His death was followed four months later by the passing of co-founder and original lead singer Dan McCafferty on November 8, 2022, at the age of 76.