Terry Slesser

Terry Slesser
GenresBlues rock, hard rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years activeearly 1970s–

Terry Slesser (also known as Terry Wilson-Slesser) is a blues rock singer from South Shields, England. He is chiefly known for his role as vocalist in ex-Free guitarist Paul Kossoff's band Back Street Crawler, renamed Crawler after Kossoff's death in 1976.

History

In the early 1970s, Slesser joined Beckett, replacing original singer Rob Turner, who had been killed in a car accident.[1] Beckett released one self-titled album in 1974, produced by Roger Chapman of Family.[2]

Slesser then joined Back Street Crawler and its successor, Crawler, until this disbanded in 1978.[3] Following the demise of Crawler, Slesser joined the band Geordie in 1980, after its lead singer, Brian Johnson, joined AC/DC, subsequent to the death of Bon Scott.[4]

In 1981 after the departure of Paul Di'Anno, Slesser unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead vocal in Iron Maiden (as mentioned by Steve Harris on the Iron Maiden The Early Days DVD,[citation needed]

In 1983, Slesser joined the band Charlie as lead vocalist. Slesser was featured on the band's US hit single "It's Inevitable", and the related album.[5]

In 1984, Slesser toured Europe, Japan as an offstage backing vocalist with the Michael Schenker Group.[6]

Slesser continues to tour as a solo act and in various band formations. For two years, he was the lead singer of Freeway, a British Free tribute band.[7] With Freeway guitarist John Buckton, Slesser also formed Kossoff...The Band Plays On, a Paul Kossoff tribute band.[8]

References

  1. ^ Rockasteria, Review of Beckett, 5 August 2011. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  2. ^ Joynson, Vernon (1996). The Tapestry of Delights: The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R & B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963–1976 (Second ed.). Glasgow: Borderline Productions. p. 52. ISBN 1899855009.
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal. London: Guinness Publishing. p. 76. ISBN 0851125816.
  4. ^ The Geordie boy band who proved their mettle. The Journal, 8 December 2005; updated 27 June 2013. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  5. ^ Wohsala, Steve (18 August 1983). "In The Groove". Messenger-Press. Vol. 80, no. 33#3528. Allentown, NJ. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Interview Gary Barden, Metallian Metal Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  7. ^ Freeway, The Ultimate Free Tribute Band, About Freeway. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  8. ^ Kossoff...The Band Plays On, About. Retrieved 2017-04-30.