Britny Fox

Britny Fox is an American glam metal band from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, initially active from 1985 to 1992 then subsequently reforming from 2000 to 2009 and then again reforming in 2015. They are best known for their music video for "Girlschool" and their minor hit "Long Way to Love" (U.S. No. 100).

History

Britny Fox formed in 1986 in Philadelphia. The band was originally fronted by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist "Dizzy" Dean Davidson. The band also featured Billy Childs on bass, former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith on lead guitar and former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra on drums. The idea for the band's name was inspired by Davidson, who named the band in honor of a Welsh ancestor. They were described on a compilation as "trashy Victorian glam". ^[1]

Thanks to their connections to Cinderella, the band was able to secure a major recording contract. However, just as things were beginning to look bright for the band, they soon dimmed. Tony Destra was killed in a car accident. Facing a tour, the band recruited drummer, Adam West temporarily until landing what turned out to be long term drummer, John DiTeodoro (Johnny Dee), who had been the drummer for the band Waysted.^[2]

The band released a demo in 1986 titled In America, which drummer Tony Destra played on, and a demo in 1987 titled Rock Is Gonna Fight, which drummer Adam West played on. The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1988, was one of the most successful premieres of the 1988–89 season, selling more than one million copies and bringing more than 625,000 fans to their 130+ shows opening for Poison and Warrant. They also won Metal Edge Magazine's 1988 Reader's Choice Award for Best New Band. After the release of the band's second album in 1989, Boys in Heat, Davidson departed, and formed the band Blackeyed Susan. He was replaced by Las Vegas native Tommy Paris aka Don Jillson formerly of the band Jillson.^[3] Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett guested on the band's third album, Bite Down Hard, which was released in 1991. However, the popularity of glam metal was on a decline around the time of the album's release due to the rising popularity of the alternative rock/grunge movement. Britny Fox disbanded in 1992 for various reasons.

Michael Kelly Smith was previously in an early version of fellow Philadelphia band Cinderella until his dismissal, and later Tony Destra also played with them.

Britny Fox reunited in 2000 with the same line-up before their disbandment, and released a fourth studio album, Springhead Motorshark, in 2003. The band toured the US and Europe in 2007 and 2008. Guitarist Tommy Krash and former White Lion drummer Greg D'Angelo was supposed to join at that time, but he broke his foot during rehearsal and was replaced by Henry Now.

As of 2007, Britny Fox reformed under original bassist Billy Childs. The other former members of this line-up were lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jamie Fletcher, lead guitarist Greg Polcari, and drummer Henry Now.

Bassist Billy Childs had a minor but billed role in the horror film Incest Death Squad (2009).^[4] Childs is currently playing bass in the North American Led Zeppelin tribute band Get The Led Out, "The American Led Zeppelin".^[5]

In 2010, "Dizzy" Dean Davidson unsuccessfully attempted to reunite the surviving members of the original line-up.

On April 25, 2015, it was announced that the band has again reunited and includes bassist Billy Childs, drummer Johnny Dee, long-time singer/rhythm guitarist Tommy Paris and new lead guitarist Chris Sanders as their line-up and that they are recording a new album.^[6]

Lineups

Members

• Billy Childs bass, backing vocals (1985–1992; 2000–2008; 2015–present)
• Tommy Paris lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (1990–1992; 2000–2007; 2015–present)
• Johnny Dee drums, percussion, backing vocals (1987–1992; 2000–2006; 2015–present)
• Chris Sanders lead guitar (2015–present)

Past Members

Vocals/rhythm guitar

• Dean Davidson (1985–1990; 2010)
• Jamie Fletcher (2007-2008)

Lead guitar

• Michael Kelly Smith (1985–1992; 2000–2006)
• Tommy Krash (2006–2007)
• Keith Plants (2007)
• Greg Polcari (2008)

Drums

• Tony Destra (1985–1987)
• Adam West (1987)
• Greg D'Angelo (2006–2007)
• Henry Now (2007–2008)

Discography

Studio albums

Video albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Demos

• Rock Is Gonna Fight (1987)
• The Bite Down Hard Demo Sessions (2003)

Bootlegs

• Gudbuy T'Dean (2001)

Other appearances

References

External links

• Official site
• Official page