_michael

ANGEL was formed in 1975 by Punky Meadows (Guitar), Frank DiMino (Vocals), Gregg Giuffria (Keyboards), Mickie Jones (Bass), and Barry Brandt (Drums). After their third album, Mickie Jones was replaced with Felix Robinson. Punky Meadows and Mickie Jones had previously recorded an album with the band BUX in the early 1970's, (Which also included an early version of "White Lightning"). This band also featured Ralph Morman who later worked with the JOE PERRY PROJECT. However the BUX album was not released until 1976, after ANGEL had started to get big. The final studio album "Sinful", was originally going to be entitled "Bad Publicity", and some copies left the factory with that title on the label of the record itself. An even smaller number made it out with the "Bad Publicity" outer record jacket. These of course are now the sought after versions of the record amongst collectors. Over the years, the band toured the world with such '70s hard rock legends as: HUMBLE PIE, FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH, and LEGS DIAMOND. Surprisingly though (considering they shared the same label:CASABLANCA), they never toured with Kiss. After ANGEL folded in 1981, Gregg Giuffria went on to form the band GIUFFRIA, which had 2 albums out in the mid 1980's. Once GIUFFRIA disbanded in 1987, Gregg formed HOUSE OF LORDS, which continued on until 1993. But...the saga continued ANGEL went back into the studio (late summer 1998) to record a new CD entitled: "IN THE BEGINNING".

12 things you may not have known about Angel...

I.ANGEL was "discovered" by Gene Simmons of KISS, at a D.C. bar in 1975. Simmons called Casablanca Records president Neil Bogart at 3 AM insisting he sign the band.

2.Gregg Giuffria's first recorded work was with DAVID AND THE GIANTS. This group also featured legendary drummer Tommy Aldridge, who later went on to find fame with BLACK OAK ARKANSAS and then OZZY OSBOURNE'S BLIZZARD OF OZZ.

3.Punky Meadow's first recording band was a D.C. based pop group called CHERRY PEOPLE.

4.Frank DiMino sang on the PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT (ex-U.F.O.) "Under The Rising Sun" CD

5.ANGEL was named Circus Magazine's "Best New Band" by their readers in 1976.

6.Punky Meadows was a finalist to replace Ace Frehley in KISS in 1982.

7.Frank Zappa's song "Punky's Whips", and the subsequent furor it's lyrics created, was one of the factors that led to Zappa leaving Warner Brothers Records.

8.Punky's real name is Edwin Lionel Meadows, Jr.

9.The movie which later became "FOXES", was originally intended just to be about ANGEL.

10.ANGEL's final U.S. tour in 1980 was the "ROCK & ROLL MARATHON", where they shared the bill with FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH, HUMBLE PIE, and MOTHER'S FINEST.

11.Felix Robinson played bass on WHITE LION's first release "Fight To Survive" in 1985.

12.Frank DiMino sang a song: "Seduce Me Tonight" on the "FLASHDANCE" soundtrack as CYCLE V.