|
In
1988, a Los Angeles based band called Kingdom Come achieved the nearly
impossible test of shipping gold in the U.S. for sales of over 500,000
copies BEFORE the release of their self-entitled debut album.
This was the result of their first single "Get It On" making
its way to the top of the play lists across the country before it was
even being released commercially. The band that pulled off this sensational coup was comprised of four
American musicians and a remarkable lead singer who was a native of
Hamburg, Germany. Lenny Wolf not only gave Kingdom Come its distinctive
voice, but was also its main writer and co-produced the debut album with
the renowned Bob Rock (best known for his work with Bon Jovi, Aerosmith,
Loverboy, and Metallica).
The first album went on to sell over 1.3 million copies worldwide within
one year after release, and Kingdom Come undertook a triumphant debut
tour that ultimately included the U.S., U.K., and most of Europe and
Japan. They appeared with Van Halen, the Scorpions, and Metallica on the
Monsters of Rock tour in the U.S., and with Bon Jovi and Ratt in Japan.
Going on non-stop after the tour, Kingdom Come released their second
album, In Your Face (1989), once again co-produced by Lenny Wolf, this
time around with Keith Olsen, famous for his work with the likes of
Whitesnake, Fleetwood Mac, and Cheap Trick.
However,
success had its price. After their first world tour, the original
members parted, besieged by the pressure of instant acclaim and
expectation so unique to the music business. For Lenny Wolf, however, a
new chapter in the Kingdom Come story was just beginning. The split
meant taking everything into his own hands. Though a challenge, he took
it on with his usual confidence and enthusiasm.
Returning to Hamburg, he began writing all of the material for what was
to become Kingdom Come's third album Hands of Time. Taking over full
production responsibilities for the first time, he also contributed bass
and guitar parts. Perhaps his most important role was his vocal
performance, giving the album the unmistakable voice that had been so
important in establishing Kingdom Comes’ phenomenal success.
Following the release of Hands of Time in 1991, Lenny continued to
commute between Los Angeles and Hamburg, and came in contact with WEA
Germany for the first time. He delivered an exciting batch of demos, and
the relationship culminated in a WEA worldwide signing for Kingdom Come.
The album Bad Image was recorded in Los Angeles and Hamburg, with Lenny
again taking on the lion's share of responsibilities.
After Bad Image Lenny
Wolf and band released Twilight Cruiser, Live & Unplugged,
Master Seven, Too. These albums were recorded in the best
traditions of hard rock: great riffs, touching ballads, wise lyrics. The
next recordings Independent and Perpetual are very good
albums, too; their sound became more 'industrial' and cosmic.
By
1993, Wolf had returned to Germany to regroup. With a new, mostly-German
lineup, Kingdom Come remains
active with several subsequent releases and
tours in Europe under their collective belt.
The newest album released by
Kingdom Come is Ain't Crying For The Moon, with two recent sold
out tours through
the Russian Federation and a full scale European tour, co-headlining
with DOKKEN.
The latest 14 stop tour through Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan
was voted by the readers of Russia's most popular Print-Rock Magazine
"Classic Rock" as #3 Best Tour of the Year! Kingdom Come continues to be
a viable band making and writing rock music with a good following both in
Europe and the U.S. ...
Watch for Kingdom Come in 2008 on their
upcoming U.S. Tour!
|
