Silverhead
The first real band to be fronted by actor/singer Michael Des Barres, Silverhead formed in 1971 with Steve Forest (guitar), Rod Davies (guitar), Nigel Harrison (bass) and Pete Thompson (drums). They were signed to Deep Purple's record label in 1982 by Tony Edwards and their debut album soon followed. Although quite mild on record their stage presence and raucous glam rock style won them a lewd reputation. This did little to help and Forest quit. Adopting a heavier approach they enlisted Robbie Blunt as Forest's replacement and recorded an album, 16 & SAVAGED, and toured, mainly in America. By 1974 they had found an audience in Japan and in New York where glam had its home with the New York Dolls. It was during this time that Des Barres met up with ‘super groupie’ Pamela Miller. Not long after the band split. While Des Barres married Miller, Harrison joined Ray Manzarek form the Doors for his solo outings before they both formed Nite City (Harrison later found fame with Blondie), Blunt joined the reformed Chicken Shack but would later be remembered for playing guitar on Robert Plant's hit single, Big Log. Des Barres went on to Detectiveand a solo career. A little insight in to Silverhead circa 1974 can be discovered in Pamela Des Barres’ book, I'M WITH THE BAND.