KEEL/SABBATH

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 Ron Keel’s Black Sabbath tribute show, entitled “Keel/Sabbath,” will debut at the “Smokin’ Country Saloon Bike Rally” on Saturday, May 29th.

Ron Keel was announced on MTV as the new vocalist for Black Sabbath in March 1984, replacing Ian Gillian. Although contracts were signed, the deal fell apart, and the story has become one of the most enduring tales of 80’s metal. It has been documented in several books chronicling Sabbath’s history, including “Black Sabbath: Never Say Die” by respected journalist Gary Sharpe-Young, and Keel’s tenure in the band is included on the comprehensive web site https://www.black-sabbath.com/theband/keel/. 

A recent tribute album, “Emerald Sabbath,” united members of the Black Sabbath family tree for new versions of classic songs. “Die Young” features Ron Keel on vocals, Vinny Appice on drums, Rudy Sarzo on bass, and Dave “DC” Cothern (who accompanies Keel on stage for the Sabbath tribute shows) on lead guitar. Ron also covers Ozzy (“Hole In The Sky”) and Gillian (“Trashed”) on this release. A follow-up album is in the works.

Ron Keel Band has regularly included Black Sabbath songs in their concerts such as “Heaven & Hell.” Keel says that putting together a full show of Sabbath material is the next logical step. “It’s just a chance to do something different, have fun, and play music that we all grew up on and love,” he explains. “I am very comfortable being the Metal Cowboy and fronting Ron Keel Band – but I’m looking forward to taking off the cowboy hat and flashing the horns every now and then!”

He adds that for now, the song list will consist of all pre-1984 material. “Tony Iommi gave me a handwritten song list to prepare for, and I want to stick as close to that as possible. Of course there’s a great body of work that came after that, but we’re going to feature the iconic classics from the Ozzy & Dio catalog.”

This “side project” also presents the option of booking two separate acts at the same event on different nights; Ron Keel Band will headline opening night of the “Smokin’ Country Saloon Bike Rally” on Friday, May 28th (with EMN/Every Mother’s Nightmare, Jasmine Cain & Native Sons), while Keel/Sabbath takes the stage the following day. This nine-day event features headliners from multiple genres of music such as Texas Hippie Coalition, Drowning Pool, Liliac, Tim Montana and more; tickets and info can be found at http://smokincountryconcert.com. For booking info and more, visit http://keelsabbath.com.