Nazareth (band)

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Image:Nazareth.jpg Nazareth is an earthy, and versatile Scottish rock band that had several hard rock hits, as well as scoring with the Felice and Boudleaux Bryant ballad "Love Hurts" in the 1970s.

Nazareth was formed in 1968 in Dunfermline, Scotland, by vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet. The band moved to London, England in 1970, and released their self-titled debut album in 1971. After getting some attention with their second album Exercises, released in 1972, Nazareth issued Razamanaz in early 1973. This collection spawned two UK Top Ten hits, "Broken Down Angel" and "Bad Bad Boy." This was followed by Loud 'N' Proud in late 1973, which contained another hit single "This Flight Tonight". Then came another album Rampant, in 1974, that was equally successful.

Nazareth's biggest album, Hair Of The Dog, was released in 1975. The title track of that album (popularly, though incorrectly, known as "Now You're Messing with a Son of a Bitch") became became a staple of 1970s rock radio. The ballad from it "Love Hurts" was released in the UK and in the U.S., where it went platinum. In addition, the track became the band's only U.S. Top Ten hit. Its other claim to fame is that it spent a record breaking 60 weeks on the Norwegian chart.

The musical peak of Nazareth was in the mid 1970s, with the albums: Razamanaz (early 1973), Loud 'N' Proud (late 1973), Rampant (1974) and Hair Of The Dog (1975). The first three of these were produced by Deep Purple bass guitarist Roger Glover, the last being produced by Nazareth guitarist Manny Charlton. All four were hard rock in style, and of a high standard. However, the next album saw a serious change in musical direction. 1976's effort, Close Enough For Rock N Roll was disappointing for those who had appreciated the hard rock style they had become familiar with. Indeed, the band were never to repeat the musical feel of the albums between '73 and '75.

The single "Holy Roller" was sign of things to come. This was followed by a series of albums that were nevertheless placed in the Top 100 on Billboard 200 in the U.S., and did moderately well in the UK. Perhaps, if the band had come to the attention of the U.S. in 1973, those earlier albums might have soared up the U.S. charts as well.

In 1979, guitarist Zal Cleminson, ex-The Sensational Alex Harvey Band joined the group, only to leave again after recording two albums. He was replaced by keyboardist John Locke; who also subsequently left, after new guitarist Billy Rankin joined the group.

1980's "Holiday" (from Malice in Wonderland) was something of a U.S. radio hit; the group's last.

1981's live album Snaz was recorded on 23 May 1981 in Vancouver, Canada.

By the early 1980s, Nazareth had lost their fan base, and by the mid 1980s, they were without a record contract, causing the band to go into hiatus. In the 1990s, the band tried to make a commercial comeback to no avail. Still the band continued, continually releasing albums through to 2003.

The Spaghetti Incident?, an album of covers released in 1993 by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, included a rendition of "Hair Of The Dog".

In 2004, Daimler Chrysler's Dodge imprint commissioned DJ Chris Classic to release a special mash-up remix of the single "Hair Of The Dog" to promote their revamped Dodge Charger automobile.