Rough Diamond

This highly touted UK supergroup was formed to considerable fanfare in 1976. Dave Clempson (ex-Bakerloo; Colosseum; Humble Pie; guitar), Damon Butcher (keyboards; ex-Steve Marriot’s All Stars), Willie Bath (bass) and Geoff Britton (ex-Wings; drums) joined former Uriah Heep singer David Byron, but their launch was undermined by a court case brought by another group claiming the same name. The delay undermined the quintet’s confidence and the ensuing album proved disappointing. Its appearance during the punk explosion exacerbated problems and although the band looked to the USA for solace, friction between Byron and his colleagues proved insurmountable. The singer embarked on a solo career in October 1977 while the remaining members added Garry Bell and adopted a new name, Champion, releasing an album on Epic Records in 1978.