James Christian

Christian started performing in clubs at the young age of 16. His first serious band was called HOOKA. This band was well-known around the New Haven area for their excellent covers of Led Zeppelin songs. In the early '70s, after Christian had spent a few years with HOOKA, he spent some time in the top 40 band called MAGIC with local drummer JACK BERKY. We was then approached by drummer Jeff Cannata. Cannata was in another local band called Jasper Wrath, who had released their self-titled debut through MGM Records in 1971. Originally a quartet, Jasper Wrath now wanted to add a frontman to their band. Christian joined the progressive rock band on lead vocals and guitar. With them, he recorded the regional #1 hit song "You". Jasper Wrath was easily the most popular band in the Connecticut area at the time, but unfortunately they disbanded in 1976 due to creative differences.

Christian stuck with Jasper Wrath bandmates Phil Stone (bass, flute, and vocals) and Jeff Batter (keyboards and vocals) to start a new band. Following the addition of drummer Richie Catalano and keyboardist Jerry Green in 1977, this new group became known as Eyes. The band released the album We're In It Together in 1978, and they quickly became the most popular live act in Connecticut. Due to its popularity, Eyes continued to play Jasper Wrath's hit song "You" every night as fans requested it. In the early '80s, Phil Stone left the group and Christian switched from guitar to bass. Mike Solak was brought in to fulfil the guitar duties.

In the mid-'80s, James Christian was called to do some session work in Los Angeles. He originally intended it to be a one shot deal, but after doing some work and making contacts for a few weeks, Christian became addicted to the Los Angeles music scene. Christian later left Eyes after accepting an offer to become the lead singer of the group L.A. Rocks. Eyes broke up completely after Christian had left the band.

After being in L.A. Rocks for a year, the bass player suddenly left. Chuck Wright, formerly of Quiet Riot, was brought in as a replacement, and he and Christian soon became friends. Wright introduced Christian to keyboardist Gregg Giuffria, who informed him that he was trying to get a supergroup together. This supergroup ended up becoming House of Lords. The band recorded and released three albums between 1987 and 1992, before eventually going separate ways in 1993.

Christian recorded and released a solo album in the mid-90s, as well as perform as a guest musician on several other projects. In 2000, Christian reunited with the original lineup of House of Lords. The reunion was short-lived, and in 2005 Christian reformed a new version of House of Lords, which he still records and tours with to this day.

Source: Wikipedia

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