Steeler (American band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Founder | Ron Keel |
| Headquarters | Nashville , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Heavy metal music |
Steeler was an American heavy metal group originating in the early 1980s, established in 1981 in Nashville, Tennessee by lead vocalist Ron Keel. The band’s only album, titled after themselves, was issued through Shrapnel Records in 1983. Shortly following this release, Ron Keel disbanded Steeler to initiate the band Keel. Steeler is particularly remembered for featuring the then up-and-coming guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who departed to create Alcatrazz and pursue a solo career.
History
The founding members of Steeler were Ron Keel (vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Dunigan (lead guitar), Bobby Eva (drums), and Tim Morrison (bass). They moved from Nashville to Los Angeles to advance their career.[1] In 1982, the band released a 7" single titled "Cold Day in Hell" and contributed the track "Cold Day in Hell" to the Metal Massacre compilation, which also featured bands such as Metallica and Ratt.
Drummer Bobby Eva was replaced by Mark Edwards; meanwhile, Tim Morrison and Michael Dunigan left the group. Their roles were filled by bassist Rik Fox, who responded to an advertisement in Music Connection,[2] and 19-year-old Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who joined in February 1983. This lineup is considered classic but quickly encountered artistic disagreements. Fox recalled initial conflicts with Malmsteen over complex song structures that were eventually resolved.[2]
Under Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, Steeler recorded their debut album at Prairie Sun Studios located in Cotati, California.[3] While Metal Forces magazine commended Malmsteen's guitar performance, it regarded the rest of the album as average but anticipated its value as a collector’s item due to his participation.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The album became one of Shrapnel's top sellers, largely driven by Malmsteen’s reputation. Shortly after its release, Malmsteen left Steeler to form Alcatrazz. His stint lasted approximately four months with nine live performances,[1] including opening slots for acts like Hughes/Thrall, Vandenberg, and Quiet Riot.[2]
Following Malmsteen’s departure, guitarist Mitch Perry took his place. Rik Fox was succeeded by Ron Murray, formerly of Ozz and Burning Rome,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name while Mark Edwards remained briefly before drummer Bobby Marks replaced him. Subsequent lineup changes introduced Kurt James on lead guitar and bassist Greg Chaisson, previously with Surgical Steel. Despite these efforts, frequent personnel changes and Malmsteen’s exit hindered the band's progress toward securing a major label contract. Consequently, Ron Keel dissolved Steeler to concentrate on his solo endeavors, eventually releasing five albums by the late 1980s.
In 2005, the British label Majestic Rock issued a compilation featuring singles, live bootlegs, and unreleased recordings under the title Metal Generation: The Steeler Anthology. This was followed by a U.S. release named American Metal: The Steeler Anthology through Deadline Music Records.[1]
Post-Steeler activities
After Steeler’s final lineup dissolved, vocalist Ron Keel and drummer Bobby Marks formed Keel alongside guitarists Bryan Jay and Marc Ferrari, plus bassist Kenny Chaisson—brother of former Steeler bassist Greg Chaisson. Following Keel’s disbandment, Ron Keel established the all-female group Fair Game and collaborated on Project One with Japanese metal band Saber Tiger in 1997. He later transitioned into country rock with IronHorse in 2000. Based in Las Vegas, Keel performed in a Brooks & Dunn tribute show at the Fitz Casino & Hotel. The band Keel reunited in 2008 for their 25th anniversary and continues occasional appearances at events such as Monsters of Rock Cruises and M3 Rock Festival. In 2014, Ron Keel published his autobiography titled Even Keel: Life On the Streets of Rock'n'Roll. By 2015 he had relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he worked as a midday host on hard rock radio station KBAD-FM. After KBAD ceased operations in 2017, he co-founded the internet rock radio station KBACK.ROCKS. His project Ron Keel Band (RKB) signed with EMP Records—owned by Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson—and released their debut album in early 2019.
Drummer Mark Edwards collaborated with former Tytan singer Kal Swan and ex-Mansfield members Doug Aldrich and Jerry Best within the band Lion. He recorded with 3rd Stage Alert under Yngwie Malmsteen’s production and issued a solo EP entitled Code of Honor. In 1986 Edwards was invited to join Riot’s reformation for their Thundersteel album but opted to remain with Lion whose debut Dangerous Attraction arrived in 1987. A severe motocross accident in 1989 ended his drumming career. Edwards (born Mark Schwarz) returned to Texas to recuperate and later became CEO and Executive Chairman of Wilhelmina International, Inc., a modeling agency.
Bassist Rik Fox, dismissed by Ron Keel and Mark Edwards, formed SIN and released a shaped picture disc single "On the Run" / "Captured in Time" in 1984. After being removed from SIN—which evolved into Jag Wire—Fox revived SIN with vocalist Frank Starr but the group disbanded before producing an album. He subsequently joined Burn and Surgical Steel, created Thunderball, participated in various projects before eventually stepping away from music after the 1990s. Fox reunited with Ron Keel at Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go in 2013 performing Steeler material.
Ron Murray replaced Rik Fox on bass for Steeler and joined forces with Mark Edwards in 3rd Stage Alert; they released a five-track EP produced by Malmsteen. Murray also appeared in Chey Acuña's 1985 music video for "Hologram."
Yngwie Malmsteen joined Alcatrazz, recording No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll and Live Sentence before embarking on a successful solo career with Rising Force starting in 1984. He received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1986 for his debut album.
Malmsteen’s successor on guitar, Mitch Perry, performed with Billy Sheehan's Talas, Heaven, and McAuley Schenker Group—recording albums and touring with all three—and contributed keyboard parts on Aerosmith's 1986 live compilation Classics Live!. Perry toured with Cher during her Heart of Stone tour; formed Badd Boyz alongside Paul Shortino; joined Edgar Winter's band in 1994; later toured with Lita Ford, Sweet, and Ratt; played with Led Zeppelin tribute act The Moby Dicks; and has been involved as a race car driving instructor.
Final Steeler guitarist Kurt James was part of early M.A.R.S., contributed to Black Sheep's 1985 release Trouble in the Streets, recorded Dr. Mastermind's album in 1986, and played with various L.A.-based metal groups including Steel and Snagglepuss. In the early 2000s he joined former Anthrax vocalist Neil Turbin's DeathRiders project and briefly played with Mandy Lion's World War III. James toured Europe alongside Graham Bonnet in 2018 and featured on the Meanwhile, Back In The Garage CD/DVD.
Bassist Greg Chaisson performed with several Los Angeles bands such as Legs Diamond, Hellion, and Terriff—which included future Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Joe Holmes. After an unsuccessful audition for Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1985 where he met Jake E. Lee, Chaisson joined Badlands several years later—contributing to three studio albums. Following Badlands’ breakup he briefly played with Sircle of Silence before releasing his solo record It's About Time in 1994. Chaisson continued recording with acts like Blindside Blues Band, Die Happy, Red Sea, Pat Travers, and Darrell Mansfield among others. In 2014 he briefly reunited with Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel but departed less than a year later due to a cancer diagnosis. Currently he performs with Kings of Dust and manages Bizarre Guitar & Drum located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Members
- Ron Keel – vocals (lead), rhythm guitar (1981–1984)
- Mike Dunegan – lead guitar (1981–1983)
- Tim Morrison – bass guitar (1981–1983)
- Bobby Eva – drums (1981–1982)
- Mark Edwards – drums (1981–1982)
- Yngwie Malmsteen – lead guitar (1983)
- Rik Fox – bass guitar (1983)
- Mitch Perry – lead guitar (1983)
- Ron Murray – bass guitar (1983)
- Curt James – lead guitar (1983–1984)
- Greg Chaisson – bass guitar (1983–1984)
- Bobby Marks – drums (1983–1984)
Discography
Albums
- Steeler (Shrapnel Records, 1983)
Compilations
- Metal Massacre (Metal Blade Records, 1982)
- Metal Generation: The Steeler Anthology (Majestic Rock, 2005)
- American Metal: The Steeler Anthology (Deadline, 2006)
Singles
- "Cold Day in Hell" b/w "Take Her Down" (Ravage, 1982)