My introduction to German band Kingdom Come came through a compilation album I got in 1989. While they did gain some notice in the UK, what I didn’t know was that they actually had made some considerable headway in the US. This debut album of theirs made it to number 12 in the rock charts. Listening to the album, I can fully understand why.
There is no question that Kingdom Come was heavy influenced by Led Zeppelin. It is crystal clear on songs such as “17” and “Loving You” and it can be heard on many of other tracks as well. Even if the Led Zep influence isn’t immediately clear in the riffs, what is clear is the fact that lead singer, Lenny Wolf, sounds like a clone of Robert Plant. On the track, “Pushin’ Hard,” he even does that little stutter that Plant used to do on some Zeppelin tunes. In fact, if you were not to have read what I’ve just written and listen to the song first time, you would think that Robert was singing on it.
What I’m not going to do is compare the other individual members of Kingdom Come to those of Led Zeppelin. Lead guitarist, Danny Stag, is not Jimmy Page and this is not a negative dig at Danny. He can shred and he proves it on such songs as the bluesy ballad “What Love Can Be,” though again, the Zeppelin influence can be heard here as well. He really jams out on the already mentioned “17” and I have to give credit where due to the rhythm section on this one. Johnny B. Frank should have been given more notoriety as a bass player.
Onto the single, the song which appeared on the compilation album, which I will cover in the 1989 tour, “Get It On.” Again, the LZ influence can be heard, Lenny’s vocals make it nigh impossible not to think otherwise. But there is some great riffing by Danny and rhythm guitarist Rick Steiner who also plays keyboards. Everything about the song leads me to understand why this was picked for the single, it ticks all the boxes. However, me being me, it’s not the best song on the album. That award goes to the preceding track, “The Shuffle.” This one is a solid straight ahead rock track, which ticks all the boxes for me.
One track which doesn’t sound so much like LZ is “Now Ever After.” True, Lenny still sounds like Robert but the vibe from this song is more Whitesnake than anything else. It’s more a typical 80s rock tune, though it’s done well. The bassline is further proof that Johnny should have been given more notice as a bass player. This leads me to my a nit pick about the album. I think it would have made a better closer than “Shout It Out.” For me, the lyrics and the spirit behind them as well as how the song fades out just says closer to me. However, if this track wasn’t on the album, then “Shout It Out would be the right song for the job.
Track Listing:
Livin’ Out of Touch
Pushin’ Hard
What Love Can Be
17
The Shuffle
Get It On
Now Forever After
HIdeaway
Loving You
Shout It Out
Kingdom Come
Lenny Wolf- lead vocals
Danny Stag- lead guitar
Rick Steier- rhythm guitar, keyboards
Johnny B. Frank- bass
James Kotak- drums
Now that I have listened to the album in earnest and read a little of the history behind it, I am surprised that after such a good debut album, Kingdom Come didn’t go onto great glories. This debut shows that they could have been more of a household name, at least in the metal community.
Next post: Dokken- Beast From the East
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
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