EPITAPH - Epitaph 1st 1971 -

EPITAPH \ EPITAPH 1st 1971.
A few words.
Epitaph were founded in Dortmund in 1969, consisting of Cliff Jackson (vocals, guitar), Bernd Kolbe (bass, mellotron, vocals) and Jim McGillivray (drums).
Epitaph are a German-British band who play British styled hardrock with nice double lead guitars. Although being no typical Krautrock band, they were and still are a desired live act. Comprised of 2 Germans and 2 Brits, Epitaph's sound is similar to the traditional British progressive heavy rock genre along the lines of Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Led Zepplin. However, one can not overlook the effect which King Crimson had on Epitaph. Non-Crimson fans should note that the Crimzoids had a track titled 'Epitaph' on their 1969 debut LP; oddly enough, there is a track on Epitaph's debut which could easily be mistaken for this track! Coincidence?
Their second album in 1972 was "STOP LOOK and LISTEN" and OUTSIDE THE LAW in 1974 with their new company called BILLINGSGATE who unfortunately soon went bankrupt and all their money was lost.
Epitaph had laid out on an extensive (and expensive) USA promotional tour (with ex-Karthago member Norbert Lehmann on drums) in October 1974 - on their return they had to sell their gear to survive! Their new album was part of the bankrupt estate of Billingsgate, and Epitaph were forced to disband in 1975. The band secretly reformed later the same year, but didn't record any further albums until 1979 who cam back with "RETURN TO REALITY" and "SEE YOU IN ALASKA"with new line up and sound.
In 1981 the new Epitaph disbanded. Surprisingly enough, the original Epitaph (Jackson, Walz, Kolbe, and Lehmann) soon attempted a short re-union with "Danger Man" (1982).

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