Nightwing - Something In The Air (Long Hard Road: 1980-1985) (2026)

• 5CD anthology covering 1980 to 1985.

• Nightwing were part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal.

• Features new liner notes from Classic Rock’s Rich Davenport.

Nightwing formed in 1978 in time to take full advantage of the burgeoning New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene sweeping the UK in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Formed by ex-Strife bassist Gordon Rowley, with keyboard player Kenny Newton, guitarists Eric Percival and Alec Johnson with Steve Bartley on drums, they released four studio albums and one live album between 1980 and 1985. This set kicks off with debut album ‘Something In The Air’ (CD1). With a sound that mixed boogie with elements of prog rock against a core hard rock sound, ‘Something In The Air’ features the single ‘Barrel Of Pain’ (Graham Nash), plus a cover of ‘You Keep Me Hanging On’.

Developing a cult following between tours with the band Gillan, and important appearances at the Reading Rock Festival, Nightwing released their second album ‘Black Summer’ (1982) on Gull Records (originally home to Judas Priest). The album is notable for its iconic cover art by famed fantasy artist Melvyn Grant (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest). Recorded at Amazon Studios in Liverpool and Morgan Studios in London, it was mixed at Spindletop Recorders, Los Angeles, and features eight songs written by guitarist Alec Johnson.

Gull released their third album, ‘Stand Up And Be Counted’ (CD3), in 1983. Featuring the single ‘Treading Water’, the band still featured bassist Gordon Rowley, Steve Bartley, Alec Johnson with Kenny Newton on organ and synthesiser, but now with lead vocals from Max Bacon.

Their fourth studio album ‘My Kingdom Come’ (CD4) was released in 1984, once again featuring an iconic album cover, this time illustrated by famed artist Roger Dean (Yes, Asia). The album featured a cover of Steve Hackett’s ‘Cell 151’.

Nightwing enlisted Dave Evans on vocals and Glynn Porrino on lead guitar following the departure of Max Bacon and Alec Johnson, leading them to record their first and only live album, ‘Night Of Mystery - Alive! Alive!’ (CD5) taken from concerts in Yugoslavia and West Germany.