David or Dave Byron is best known as the lead singer and front man for Uriah Heep during their most commercially successful and productive period in the early 70s. He sang on ten Uriah Heep albums over a period of 6 years from their first Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble to High And Mighty via the classic Demons And Wizards and The Magician's Birthday. Byron gained a reputation with his operatic vocals and harmonies as one of the best rock vocalists and frontmen in the world but he also developed a habit for hard drinking which eventually led to him being sacked from Uriah Heep at the end of a Spanish tour in July 1976.
Byron then embarked on a solo career and his second solo album Baby Faced Killer was released in 1978. It was much poppier and more musically ambitious than the hard rock that had earned him his fame. Highlights include "Only You Can Do It," a song that balances spacey guitar riffs with a harmony-drenched pop melody, and "African Breeze" which blends a catchy melody with layered tribal rhythms and chanting.
After a stint with the short-lived Byron Band, Byron released one more solo album That Was Only Yesterday in 1984. He died of alcohol related complications at his home in Berkshire on 28 February 1985 at the age of 38.
Tracks
Baby Faced Killer, Rich Man's Lady, Sleepless Nights, African Breeze, Everybody's Star, Heaven Or Hell, Only You Can Do It, Don't Let Me Down, Acetylene Jean, I Remember