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Artist
Budgie
12+ albums
hard rockclassic rockrockheavy metal70s
about
1. Budgie is a hard rock band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in 1967 by bassist and vocalist Burke Shelley, with guitarist Tony Bourge and drummer Ray Phillips. The band is recognized for its contribution to the development of heavy metal music. Budgie’s early sound combined heavy riffs with high-pitched vocals, drawing comparisons to bands such as Black Sabbath and Rush. The original trio signed with MCA Records and released their debut album "Budgie" in 1971, followed by "Squawk" in 1972 and "Never Turn Your Back on a Friend" in 1973. These albums are often cited as significant works in the early heavy metal genre. The band was known for unusual song titles, including "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman", "Hot as a Docker's Armpit", "In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand", and "You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk". Ray Phillips left the band before the release of their fourth album, "In for the Kill!" (1974), and was replaced by drummer Pete Boot. Over time, Budgie experienced multiple lineup changes, with Burke Shelley remaining the sole consistent member. The band continued releasing albums during the 1970s, including "Bandolier" (1975), "If I Were Brittania I'd Wave the Rules" (1976), and "Impeckable" (1978). During the rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the early 1980s, interest in Budgie resurged. They performed at the Reading Festival in 1980 and 1982 and released "If Swallowed Do Not Induce Vomit and Power Supply" (1980), "Nightflight" (1981), an
