The official Facebook page of Uriah Heep on Facebook announced that the band’s former singer, John Lawton passed away…
“It is with deep regret that we share the devastating and tragic news of the sudden and totally unexpected passing of John Lawton on 29. June 2021.
Contrary to reports, there was no illness involved, which makes his passing incomprehensible.
He went peacefully with his wife at his side.
John will be greatly missed.
A private funeral service to celebrate John’s life will be held following his wishes, with only family and close friends attending.
We would appreciate that the family’s privacy is respected during this difficult time”.
For the record, Lawton moved to Germany in the late ‘60s, after concerts with his then-band, Stonewall, which were attended by Lucifer’s Friend and offered him the position of the singer. They recorded a total of 10 albums from 1969 to 2019 with several breaks in between.
He also sang with Les Humphries Singers, with whom he even competed on behalf of Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976, occupying the 15th place with the song “Sing Sang Song”.
In the same year he became a member of Uriah Heep, replacing David Byron, with whom he recorded “Firefly”, “Innocent Victim”, “Fallen Angel” and “Live in Europe ‘79”.
In the 1990s he formed Gunhill, with which he released three albums, and in 2000 he reunited with Ken Hensley and recorded half live – half studio “The Return” as Hensley Lawton Band. Also in the same year, they appeared together at the 4th Uriah Heep Annual Convention with their band and in 2001 they played for the first time in over 20 years with Heep, in a show that was recorded and recorded and released as “The Magician’s Birthday” on CD / DVD.
