URIAH HEEP - "Wise Man"

Uriah Heep

"Wise Man"

Single 

Album: Firefly

Released: 7 December 1976

Writers: Ken Hensley, Jack Williams

Label: Bronze

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"Wise Man" is a song by British hard rock/progressive rock band Uriah Heep. The song was written by Ken Hensley and Jack Williams for their album Firefly, which was released on December 7, 1976, a day before their tour kicked off supporting Kiss in Macon, Georgia. 

Uriah Heep's single "Wise Man", 1976 
(Photo courtesy of Bronze)

Uriah Heep "wise Man" (Top of  the Pops 1977)

The song is also the first single from the album and the first single with the band's new vocalist John Lawton. "Wise Man" was recorded at Roundhouse Recording Studios in London during October and November 1976, and was written in the key of A major.

On April 15th, BBC's "Top Of The Pops" TV show presented Uriah Heep performing "Wise Man" playback. In the UK, Firefly brought Uriah Heep rare appearance in th Brirish charts.  With the "Wise Man" single in the Top Forty, they even appeared on Top of the Pops, which considering the disapeareance of the 1971 Old grey Whistle Test footage now remains the only existing oh Heep in the BBC archive.

Uriah Heep "Wise Man" (album Firefly,1976

Uriah Heep 1976- 1979 
(l- r: Mick Box, Lee Kerslake, John Lawton, Trevor Bolder, Ken Hensley)

On the book Uriah Heep - Uncensored On the Record by Dave Lin, recording producers of Bronze, Gerry Bron, says: "For me, 'Wise Man' was one of the best recordings we'd ever made" 

Line-up / Musicians:

Mick Box – guitar

Ken Hensley – keyboards

Lee Kerslake – drums

Trevor Bolder – bass guitar

John Lawton – lead vocals 

Links / Reviews: 
Wikipedia: Wise Man (song)  
Book: Uriah Heep - Uncensored On the Record
Uriah Heep Official Website: Uriah Heep Discography - Songs