Nazareth practically invented the hard-rock “power ballad” concept with their recording of a Felice and Boudleaux Bryant song originally popularized by both the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison: “Love Hurts”. Nazareth’s recording of “Love Hurts” reached number 8 on the U.S. charts and the “Hair of the Dog” album it appeared on was certified platinum worldwide. Like Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses and other groups since, the power ballad provided a way to expand a band’s audience beyond their primary base of hard-rock aficionados. Nazareth’s live reputation and hard-rock credentials were firmly established by the time of the 1973 release of their “Razamanaz” album, produced by heavy- rock icon Roger Glover of Deep Purple. Nazareth had honed their potent live act as openers for Deep Purple, but soon found themselves with their own rabid fan-base, and quickly attained headliner status on the rock-tour circuit. Their Manny Charlton penned signature tune “Hair of the Dog”, from the album of the same name is perhaps most characteristic of Nazareth’s sound. It is often incorrectly called “Son of a Bitch” because of the memorable repeated refrain of its chorus: “You’re Messin’ with a son-ofa- bitch”. Besides these recognized rock classics, Nazareth’s other chart hits included “Broken Down Angel”, “Bad Bad Boy”, “This Flight Tonight”, and “My White Bicycle”. After playing on 25 Nazareth albums, and producing 7 of them, founding guitarist Manny Charlton abruptly left the group in 1990. The 15 million-plus in record sales Nazareth achieved have shown their continued importance to today’s rock fans. Members of Guns N’ Roses hold Nazareth in such regard that Manny Charlton was brought in to produce the early sessions that resulted in G N’ R’s landmark hit album “Appetite for Destruction”. Axl Rose even requested “Love Hurts” to be played at his wedding! In addition, Nazareth songs have appeared in such notable films as “Lords of Dogtown” and “Dazed and Confused”.

Biography and Background

Nazareth was first formed in 1968 from the membership of a Scottish covers band called The Shadettes. Spanish-born guitarist Manny Charlton’s family had emigrated to Dunfermline, Scotland, and Manny found a musical home there with The Shadettes, whose membership included vocalist Dan McCafferty, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darryl Sweet. Manny prodded his bandmates to expand their talents and develop some original material, and by 1970 the group had enough confidence in their originals to make a go at the big-time, calling themselves “Nazareth”, and moving to London. While the biblical geographic reference in their name is obvious, the name was actually inspired by the line in The Band’s song “The Weight”: (“Pulled in to Nazareth – was feelin’ about half-past dead”).

Manny Charlton’s fluid, blues-based guitar stylings first came to the attention of a wide rock audience with the release of Nazareth’s self-titled debut album in 1971. Tours opening for Deep Purple, and their own headlining gigs soon secured their growing reputation for delivering bone-crunching rock with surprising melodic flourishes. Their 1973 album “Razmanaz”, featuring production by Deep Purple’s Roger Glover, established Nazareth as rock heavyweights with such tunes as the hit singles “Broken Down Angel”, “Bad Bad Boy” and the album’s title track. They followed up this success with “Loud N’ Proud” in 1973, and had another hit with a hard-rock version of a Joni Mitchell song “This Flight Tonight”. 1974’s “Rampant” was their next, well-received album. Their breakthrough album, “Hair of the Dog” followed in 1975, and brought the band their first worldwide radio mega-hits. Nazareth was now in the same league with their mentors Deep Purple, and the result was non-stop touring to sell-out audiences practically everywhere. Nazareth was to continue releasing albums and touring throughout the 1980’s with the addition of 2nd guitarist Zal Cleminson and Billy Rankin, as well as noted keyboardist John Locke. But, by 1990, after a tour of Russia, Manny Charlton had had enough, and quit Nazareth to pursue a career as a producer and solo artist. In 1999, original drummer Darryl Sweet died from a heart attack at the age of 51. The forthcoming Nazareth tour will be the first to feature founding guitarist Manny Charlton in 18 years. Nazareth’s faithful fans as well as younger fans everywhere will be eager to experience once again to taste the “hair of the dog” in all its live glory.