Nightwing - Something In The Air (1980/1999)

British hard rock band, originally formed in 1978 as Gordon and Friends

After the demise of UK band Strife in 1978, bass player/vocalist Gordon Rowley formed Nightwing, with Alec Johnson (guitar), Eric Percival (guitar), Kenny Newton (keyboards) and Steve Bartley (drums). They debuted in 1980 with Something In The Air, a grandiose AOR album in the style of Styx, Kansas or Journey. Percival quit shortly after its release, and the band continued as a four-piece to record Black Summer. This moved towards a more metallic style, in keeping with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, which was in full swing at the time. The band expanded once more to a five-piece with the arrival of vocalist Max Bacon for the rawer Stand Up And Be Counted. Bacon’s stay was short-lived as he moved on to Bronz, with Johnson also breaking ranks soon afterwards. Dave Evans and Glynn Porrino were swiftly recruited to fill in on vocals and guitar, but their compositional abilities failed to match those of Johnson. Consequently, My Kingdom Come represented the nadir of the band’s creative capabilities. Nightwing were clearly in their death throes and finally resigned hope after the disappointing Night Of Mystery, Alive!, Alive!