Back Row In The Stalls: Expanded Edition (Exp)

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this long lost album from the rock vocalist. Although the Skegness-born Graham Bonnet is probably best known for the melodic hard rock he fronted in the 1980s with Ritchie's Blackmore Rainbow, The Michael Schenker Group, and his own band, Alcatrazz, his musical odyssey started with a duo called The Marbles in 1968. Despite Top Ten success, Graham's undeniable talents languished in relative obscurity until he appeared as frontman with the fictitious band Billy Beethoven in the 1975 cinematic romp, Three Of A Kind, co-starring his then wife, Adrienne Posta. This largely forgotten piece of cinematic history did lead to Graham recording what was meant to be his debut solo outing for DJM Records, Back Row In The Stalls. Although this album was thought long lost, thankfully a cassette taken from the master tape was found, and transferred for release. Although the more pop orientated material may be a surprise to fans of the man that brought us 'All Night Long' and 'Since You Been Gone', it certainly paved the way for his actual debut solo LP, 1977's Graham Bonnet, 1978's No Bad Habits and 1981's Line-Up. Including new liner notes from Classic Rock's Malcolm Dome based on new interviews with Graham, what makes this rare collection an extra treat is the inclusion of six bonus tracks taken from the A and B-Sides of the singles ' Whisper In The Night' b/w 'Rare Specimen' from 1972, 'Trying To Say Goodbye' b/w 'Castles In The Air' from 1973 and a very rare 1973 single from Graham's then wife, the actress Adrienne Posta, 'Dog Song' b/w 'Express Yourself' from 1973, both featuring Graham.