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Britny Fox

 
Artist: Britny Fox
Britny Fox

Group Members:

Tommy Paris, Billy Childs, Johnny Dee, Michael Kelly Smith, Dean Davidson

Similar Artists:

Influenced By:

Performed Songs By:

Dean Davidson
See Britny Fox Lyrics
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "The Best of Britny Fox," "Britny Fox," "Boys in Heat"

Biography

Britny Fox were a typical glam-rock bar band transplanted to L.A. from their home base of Philadelphia. After making the move in 1985, they soon met Michael Kelly Smith (guitar) from up-and-coming band Cinderella, and before long the guitarist had defected from his former band to join the Philly boys' ranks. Naming themselves Britny Fox after one of singer Dizzy Dean Davison's Welsh ancestors, the band copped Cinderella's theatrical look and recorded their first demo, In America, with other members including Billy Childs on bass and Johnny Dee on drums. To show that there were no hard feelings, Cinderella helped the band get a record contract with Columbia, who released their self-titled debut to great acclaim and near-platinum sales. Lead single "Long Way to Love" made heavy rotation on MTV, but the equally rocking follow-up, "Girlschool," failed to ignite even in the specialized format of the video station's Headbanger's Ball. Nevertheless, Britny Fox won Metal Edge magazine's Best New Band award in 1988.

For their second album, the group tried to incorporate a rootsier vibe into their sound, bringing in new producer Neil Kernon in search of the diversification that would free them from Cinderella's looming shadow. The approach failed to win them many new fans, and with sales lagging, Dizzy Dean left to pursue other interests. Just when it seemed the band had spent its fifteen minutes, Britny Fox came cruising back with Dizzy Dean soundalike Tommy Paris. Unfortunately, the songwriting had failed to progress one iota, and with the declining public taste for Hollywood glam, the band folded before their new album had time to hit the cutout bins. ~ Jeremy Ulrey, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Britny Fox
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Britny Fox
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres Glam metal
Hard rock
Heavy metal
Years active 1985–1992
2001–present
Labels Columbia,East/West America,Spitfire Records
Associated acts Cinderella, Blackeyed Susan, Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Tangier
Website Official site
Members
Jamie Fletcher
Greg Polcari
Billy Childs
Henry Now
Former members
Michael Kelly Smith
Johnny Dee
Tommy Paris
Dean Davidson
Tony Destra
Adam West
Tommy Krash

Britny Fox is an American glam metal band from the Philadelphia area, initially active from 1985 to 1992 then subsequently reforming in 2001.[citation needed] They are best known for their music video for "Girlschool" (U.S. #81) and their hit "Long Way to Love" (U.S. #100).

Contents

History

Britny Fox formed in 1985 in Philadelphia. The band was originally fronted by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist "Dizzy" Dean Davidson.

The band released a demo titled In America in 1986, which drummer Tony Destra reportedly played on. The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1988, was one of the most successful premieres of the 1988-89 season, selling more than one million copies and bringing more than 625,000 fans to their 130+ shows. They also won Metal Edge Magazine's 1988 Reader's Choice Award for Best New Band. After the release of the band's second album in 1989, Boys in Heat, Davidson departed, and formed the band Blackeyed Susan. He was replaced by Las Vegas native Tommy Paris. Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett guested on the band's third album, Bite Down Hard, which was released in 1991. However, the popularity of glam metal was on a decline around the time of the album's release due to the rising popularity of the grunge movement. Britny Fox disbanded in 1992.

Michael Kelly Smith was previously in an early version of fellow Philadelphia glam metal band Cinderella until his dismissal, and later Tony Destra also played with them.

Drummer Adam West, formerly of Tangier, played for Britny Fox briefly between the time of Tony Destra and Johnny Dee.

Britny Fox reunited in 2001[citation needed] with the same line up before their disbandment, and released a fourth studio album, Springhead Motorshark, in 2003. The band has had summer US and European tours in 2007 and 2008. Guitarist Tommy Krash and former White Lion drummer Greg D'Angelo was supposed to join at that time, but he broke his foot during rehearsal and was replaced with Henry Now.

As of 2007, Britny Fox reformed under original bassist Billy Childs. The other current members are lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jamie Fletcher, lead guitarist Greg Polcari, and drummer Henry Now, with a new studio release scheduled for 2009.

Bassist Billy Childs has signed on to appear in the upcoming horror film "Incest Death Squad" scheduled for release in late 2009.

Line ups

(1985–1987)
(1987)
  • Dean Davidson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Michael Kelly Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
  • Adam West – drums, percussion
(1987–1989)
  • Dean Davidson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Michael Kelly Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Childs – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Johnny Dee – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1990–2006)
  • Tommy Paris – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Michael Kelly Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
  • Johnny Dee – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(2007)
  • Tommy Paris – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Tommy Krash 2007 summer tour – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Polcari – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
  • Henry Now – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(2008–present)
  • Jamie Fletcher – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Greg Polcari – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Childs – bass, backing vocals
  • Henry Now  – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album US RIAA Certification
1988 Britny Fox 39 Gold
1989 Boys in Heat 79 -
1991 Bite Down Hard - -
2003 Springhead Motorshark - -

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Year Single Chart positions
US Hot 100 US Main Rock UK
1988 "Long Way to Love" 100 33 -
1989 "Girlschool" 81 - -
"Save the Weak" - - -
1990 Dream On" - 34 -
1991 "Louder" - - -

Demos

  • In America (1986)
  • The Bite Down Hard Demo Sessions (2003)

Bootlegs

  • Gudbuy T'Dean (2001)

Other appearances

References

External links


 
 

 

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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