Alcatrazz
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums |
Alcatrazz is a rock group from the United States, established in 1983 by Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo, and Gary Shea. The band is recognized for tracks such as "Island in the Sun," "Hiroshima Mon Amour," and "God Blessed Video." They initially attracted attention by featuring guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who was relatively unknown at the time, and later replaced by Steve Vai, with whom they produced an album.
In 2020, internal disagreements resulted in the formation of two separate Alcatrazz ensembles: one led by Bonnet and another by Waldo and Shea. Throughout numerous personnel changes, Bonnet has remained the sole consistent member. Original guitarist Malmsteen (1983–1984) was succeeded by Vai and then Danny Johnson until 1987. When the band reassembled, Joe Stump joined as guitarist in the Waldo-Shea faction. In June 2021, Jeff Loomis was announced as the guitarist for Bonnet's lineup.
After disbanding in 1987, Bonnet toured between 2006 and 2014 under the name Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet, supported by various musicians. A reunion in 2017 led to a full reformation in 2020 with Waldo and Shea returning. From their inception through 2020, Alcatrazz produced four studio albums: No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll (1983), Disturbing the Peace (1985), Dangerous Games (1986), and Born Innocent (2020).
Shortly after releasing Born Innocent, the band split once more, with both factions continuing to perform under the Alcatrazz name. The group comprising Waldo, Shea, Stump, and Benquechea enlisted Doogie White as lead vocalist and launched V in October 2021. Concurrently, Bonnet revealed plans for a new album featuring Loomis on guitar with his lineup.
History
The initial formation included former Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet, Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen—recently departed from Steeler—alongside Gary Shea and Jimmy Waldo from New England, plus Clive Burr from Iron Maiden. Burr exited after one week due to the band's relocation to the U.S., replaced by Jan Uvena, who had played with Iron Butterfly and Alice Cooper. The name "Alcatrazz" was coined by Shea. The debut album’s material was mainly composed by Bonnet and Malmsteen, with contributions from Waldo.
Their first album, No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll, was released late in 1983 via Rocshire Records. MTV promoted the lead single "Island in the Sun," which bore Rainbow's stylistic influence but achieved limited radio exposure. The album remained on Billboard charts for 18 weeks, reaching No. 128. The video for "Hiroshima Mon Amour" gained notable popularity in Japan.
In 1984, Rocshire issued Live Sentence, a live recording from their Japanese tour. Despite Malmsteen’s objections regarding audio quality, it was released featuring Rainbow covers such as "Since You Been Gone," peaking at No. 133 in the U.S. Growing tensions between Malmsteen and Bonnet culminated in an onstage dispute that led to Malmsteen’s departure to form Rising Force under Polydor Records.
Steve Vai replaced Malmsteen at Waldo’s insistence despite Bonnet’s reservations. After Rocshire collapsed amid embezzlement scandals, Alcatrazz signed with Capitol Records. With Vai onboard, they toured Japan presenting new songs and producing a concert video.
The 1985 release Disturbing the Peace, produced by Eddie Kramer—renowned for work with Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix—included the single "God Blessed Video," which received limited MTV airtime. The album reached No. 145 but financial difficulties curtailed their touring schedule.
Vai departed in 1986 to join David Lee Roth's band; Danny Johnson took over guitar duties and recorded Dangerous Games (1986). This release featured covers like The Animals' "It's My Life" and "Only One Woman," a UK hit for Bonnet during the 1960s. However, it failed to achieve commercial or critical success. Early in 1987, Shea and Waldo left; Jay Davis replaced Shea while Waldo was not substituted. After recording demos, Johnson and Davis exited to join Eddie Van Halen’s Private Life project, resulting in Alcatrazz's dissolution.
Efforts to revive Alcatrazz surfaced in 1988 with Japanese guitarist Kuni Takeuchi and again in 1992 with Bob Kulick; this latter attempt evolved into Blackthorne.
In 1998, Renaissance Records issued The Best of Alcatrazz. The song "God Blessed Video" appeared on the fictional V-Rock station within the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Bonnet reassembled Alcatrazz as Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet, recruiting guitarist Howie Simon, drummer Glen Sobel, and bassist Tim Luce. They toured Japan in 2007 alongside Joe Lynn Turner and headlined Bulgaria’s BerkRock festival (2008), also performing several West Coast U.S. dates including support slots for Y&T. Performances were intermittent until 2014.
In March 2017, original members Bonnet, Waldo, and Shea reunited for three concerts in Japan with Conrado Pesinato on guitar and Mark Benquechea on drums. These shows were recorded for the live album/DVD Parole Denied – Tokyo 2017, released December 2018. By February 2019, Bonnet announced a new lineup featuring Waldo, Benquechea, guitarist Joe Stump, and bassist Beth-Ami Heavenstone—the first female member—with plans for an album including guest appearances by Chris Impellitteri, Bob Kulick, Dario Mollo, and Steve Vai. Heavenstone was replaced by returning Gary Shea in January 2020. Their first studio record in over three decades, Born Innocent, was released on July 31, 2020.
On December 4, 2020, Alcatrazz parted ways with Bonnet amid management disputes and brought in vocalist Doogie White. Bonnet stated he would continue recording under the Alcatrazz name with a new lineup scheduled for spring 2021. He attributed the split primarily to disagreements over tour management but affirmed his intention to retain use of the band’s name.
The White-fronted Alcatrazz released singles "Turn of the Wheel" (June 2021) and "Sword of Deliverance" (July 2021), announcing their fifth studio album V set for October 15, 2021. Both singles were accompanied by music videos. Meanwhile, Jeff Loomis joined Bonnet’s separate group as guitarist.
On March 13, 2024, Doogie White left to focus on his solo career; he was succeeded by Giles Lavery of Warlord.
On May 12, 2025, Alcatrazz signed with BraveWords Records with intentions to release a new album during 2026.
Present members
- Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals (1983–1987, 2017, 2019–present)
- Gary Shea – bass guitar, backing vocals (1983–1987, 2017, 2020–present)
- Joe Stump – guitar (2019–present)
- Giles Lavery – lead vocals (2024–present)
- Mark Benquechea – drums (2017, 2019–2021, 2025–present)
Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz
- Graham Bonnet – lead vocals (2006–2014, 2021–present; also in Alcatrazz 1983–1987, 2017, 2019–2020)
- Jeff Loomis – guitar (2021–present)
- Van Williams – drums (2024–present)
Past members
- Clive Burr – drums and percussion (1983; deceased 2013)
- Yngwie Malmsteen – guitar (1983–1984)
- Jan Uvena – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1983–1987)
- Steve Vai – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1986)
- Danny Johnson – guitar, backing vocals (1986–1987)
- Jay Davis – bass (1987)
- Conrado Pesinato – guitar (2017)
- Beth-Ami Heavenstone – bass (2019–2020)
- Doogie White – lead vocals (2020–2024)
- Larry Paterson – drums (2021–2025)
Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet
- Howie Simon – guitar, backing vocals (2006–2014)
- Tim Luce – bass guitar, backing vocals (2006–2014)
- Glen Sobel – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2006–2009)
- Dave Dzialak – drums and percussion (2009–2010)
- Jeff Bowders – drums and percussion (2010–2011)
- Bobby Rock – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2011–2014)
Band configurations
| Era | Personnel | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 |
|
none |
| 1983–1984 |
|
|
| 1984–1985 |
|
|
| 1985–1987 |
|
|
| 1987–2006 (Hiatus) | ||
| 2006–2009
(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet) |
|
none |
| 2009–2010
(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet) |
| |
| 2010–2011
(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet) |
| |
| 2011–2014
(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet) |
| |
| 2014–2016 (Hiatus) | ||
| 2017
(one-off performance) |
with
|
|
| 2017–2019 (Hiatus) | ||
| 2019–2020 |
|
none |
| 2020 |
* Jimmy Waldo – keyboards and synthesizers including keytar and piano with backing vocal support * Gary Shea – bass guitarist and backup vocalist * Mark Benquechea - drummer |
* Born Innocent (2020) |
| 2020–2021
(Waldo-Shea's Alcatrazz) |
* Doogie White - lead vocalist * Joe Stump - guitarist * Jimmy Waldo - keyboardist/synthesizer/keytar/pianist with supporting vocal duties * Gary Shea - bassist and backup vocalist * Mark Benquechea - drummer |
* V (2021) |
| 2021–present
(Waldo-Shea's Alcatrazz) |
* Doogie White - lead singer * Joe Stump - guitarist * Jimmy Waldo - keyboards/synthesizers/keytar/piano with background singing * Gary Shea - bass player and supporting vocalist * Larry Paterson - drummer |
* Take No Prisoners (2023) |
| 2021–present
(Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz) |
* Graham Bonnet - lead singer * Jeff Loomis - guitarist |
none |
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Record Label | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll | Rocshire | Duration on Chart: 18 weeks, Highest Position: No. 128 |
| 1985 | Disturbing the Peace | Capitol | Duration on Chart: 16 weeks, Peak Position: No. 145 |
| 1986 | Dangerous Games | Capitol | |
| 2020 | Born Innocent | Silver Lining Music | |
| 2021 | V | Silver Lining Music | |
| 2023 | Take No Prisoners | Silver Lining Music |
Live albums
| Year | Album Title | Label | Chart Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Live Sentence | Rocshire | Chart Duration: 10 weeks, Peak Rank: No. 133 |
| 2010 | Live '83 | Deadline Music | |
| 2010 | No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll Tour Live in Japan 1984.1.28 Audio Tracks | Ward Records | |
| 2010 | Disturbing the Peace Tour Live in Japan 1984.10.10 Audio Tracks | ||
| 2018 | Live in Japan 1984 – Complete Edition | Ear Music | |
| 2018 | 'Parole Denied – Tokyo 2017' | Frontiers Records |
Compilation albums
| Year | Compilation Title | Label Name | Chart Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 'The Best of Alcatrazz' | Renaissance Records | |
| 2016 | 'The Ultimate Fortress Rock Set' (box set) | Store For Music | |
| 2017 | 'Breaking the Heart of the City: The Best of Alcatrazz' (3CD Box Set) | Cherry Red Records | |
| 2018 | 'The Official Bootleg Boxset 1983–1986: Live, Demo, Rehearsals' (6CD Box Set) |
Singles
rowspan=2 |2021| Year | Single Title | Record Label | Associated Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "Island in the Sun" | Rocshire | 'No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll' | ||
| 1985 | "Will You Be Home Tonight" | "God Blessed Video" | "Capitol Records" | 'Disturbing the Peace' | "Disturbing the Peace" |
| "Dangerous Games" | "It's My Life"
rowspan=2 |1986 rowspan=2 |Capitol Records rowspan=2 | Dangerous Games (album) | ||||
| "Turn of the Wheel" | "Sword of Deliverance"
rowspan=2 |Silver Lining Music rowspan=2 |V |
Video releases
- Metallic Live (VHS) (1984)
- No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll Tour – Live in Japan 1984.1.28 (DVD Reissue) (2010)
- Power Live (VHS) (1985)
- Disturbing the Peace Tour – Live in Japan 1984.10.10 (DVD Reissue) (2010)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups established in 1983
- Musical groups disestablished in 1987
- Musical groups reestablished in 2007
- Musical groups disestablished in 2014
- Musical groups reestablished in 2019
- Musical groups from Los Angeles
- Hard rock musical groups from California
- Heavy metal musical groups from California