White Spirit (band)

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For other uses, see White spirit (disambiguation).

White Spirit was a heavy metal band that included Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers. Their drummer, also from Hartlepool, was called Graeme Crallan who was also commonly known as 'Crash'. Crash died in the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead on 27th July 2008 after a fall in York Way London.^[1]

One of their songs, "High Upon High",^[2] is included on the Metal for Muthas compilation.

White Spirit, formed in 1975, were part of the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal).^[3]

The band, originally from Hartlepool, released their first 7" single "Backs to the Grind" on the independent heavy metal label Neat in 1980. The B-side for this single was "Cheetah".^[4]

White Spirit then moved to the MCA label on which they released their first and only album. The album was simply titled White Spirit and featured cover artwork by Michael Spaldin who later worked on stage set design for Gillan.

Bass player Phil Brady played with the Teesside metal band Therapy from 1990-1991, helping them reach the semi-finals of the Battle Of The Bands competition at Rio's in Bradford in 1990.

The band's eponymous album was reissued in 2005 with an entire second disc's worth of bonus material, including rarities, demos, alternate versions and takes, and B-sides. Most notable amongst these additional tracks is one entitled "Watch Out", recorded after vocalist Bruce Ruff left the band. Instead, future Bad Company singer Brian Howe wrote and sang the vocals.^[5]

All releases of the band's only album are now out of print. The aforementioned 2CD reissue now sells for over $100 on Amazon.com through independent sellers.^[6]