Simon Wright’s journey toward heavy metal immortality began as a teen playing in Manchester and London bands A II Z and Tytan. At 20, Wright landed the gig with AC/DC, replacing Phil Rudd. Wright quickly learned that behind the kit for AC/DC seemed simple, but it required hours of dedication to nail properly.
After joining AC/DC for the Flick of The Switch tour, Wright lent a hand to 1985’s Fly on The Wall, 1986’s Who Made Who (1986), and 1988’s Blow Up Your Video before splitting the scene for Dio in 1989, giving way to Chris Slade. As the ’90s dawned, Wright replaced Vinny Appice for Dio’s 1990 classic Lock Up the Wolves, ushering in a new era alongside other younglings within Dio’s band, such as Rowan Robertson on guitar and Teddy Cook on bass.
Later in the ’90s, Wright worked with Europe’s John Norum and UFO before rejoining Dio for fourteen additional years and five albums until Ronnie James Dio’s death in 2010. Simon Wright’s career has been one of true heavy metal mastery, but it had to start somewhere. To that end, Wright beamed in for a chat with ClassicRockHistory.com to recount the ten albums that changed his life. Can you spot any of your favorites?
# 10 – The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent – UFO (1981)
This album has some classic UFO, and the orchestral arrangements are excellent. Also, guitarist Paul Chapman, who replaced Micheal Schenker, had some big shoes to fill, but I thought he did a great job!
# 9 Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd (1975)
After wearing out Dark Side of the Moon out, along came this album. It’s obviously different than Dark Side and not a concept album, but I love the production. David Gilmour is outstanding as always, and Nick Mason’s drumming is perfect!
# 8 – Killing Machine – Judas Priest (1978)
I think this album was called Hell Bent for Leather in the United States. I believe I saw them on this tour in Manchester, England, at Free Trade Hall, and they shook the place. I had never seen anything like it from the screaming vocals and guitars, oh and a motorbike on stage! It was a great show. The opener, “Delivering the Goods,” is a killer track with a great drum breakdown at the end by Les Binks!
# 7 – Live and Dangerous – Thin Lizzy (1976)
I guess the first heavy rock album I bought when I was 12 years old was Thin Lizzy’s Jailbreak. I would sit for hours and play along with it while trying to figure out what one of the most underrated drummers ever, Brian Downey, was doing. Then Live and Dangerous came along and captured Thin Lizzy in overdrive! There are awesome moments on this record. If they re-recorded some parts—I don’t care. As a kid, this album was life-changing!
# 6 – Wind & Wuthering – Genesis (1976)
Released in ’76, this was the first album I heard by Genesis. Back then, many bands were making live albums, and the following year, Seconds Out came, and it was superb! Like Dark Side of the Moon, I wore that album out. You’ve got amazing drumming skills from Phil Collins, and songs like “Suppers Ready” and “Cinema Show” were given a new lease on life! Not to take away from the Gabriel years, but Phil did an amazing job!
# 5 – If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It – AC/DC (1978)
I first saw AC/DC on a television program from Colchester Live, and I remember sitting with my father and us both saying, “What the fuck is this!” I would refer to this album when I play some of these songs with the band after I joined in the ’80s!
# 4 – Moving Pictures – Rush (1981)
Like 2112, this album was a turning point for Rush in how the complicated style of music they made became accepted by most rock music fans. And as we know, you’ve got the incredible drumming from Neil Peart and some brilliant songwriting from Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. I first saw them on the All the World’s a Stage tour in ’77, and it was incredible!
# 3 – Strangers in the Night – UFO (1979)
This was another album that I would try and play along to as a kid. There was a certain looseness to the rhythm section of Andy Parker, Pete Way, and Paul Raymond that I thought was cool. Michael Schenker is on fire, and Phil Mogg sounds incredible. It was such a thrill being in this band for three or so years; I’m very honored to have played with such amazing musicians!
# 2 – Mob Rules – Black Sabbath (1981)
I love this album’s production; the drums and guitars sound massive! Mob Rules was a superb follow-up to Heaven and Hell!
# 1 – Holy Diver – Dio (1983)
So, having witnessed what Ronnie James Dio achieved with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, most people I knew couldn’t wait to hear this one, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s got some awesome playing, and Ronnie was truly angry and brilliant! To me, Holy Diver is like Black Sabbath on steroids!
Simon Wright, Formerly of AC/DC, Dio & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
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