With the upcoming release of BADFINGER’s ‘lost’ final album, titled Head First, I thought it interesting with at least a few other bands who released albums by the same title. Well, BADFINGER’s Head First is not a totally ‘lost’ album, it was initially released in 2000 CD only format (1 & 2 disc versions).

So, let’s look into 3 fine albums that share the same title and an odd connection or 2 .

THE BABYS – 1978

This English AOR band, featuring singer John Waite, released their 3rd album on Chrysalis, in December. (Heep’s Fallen Angel was released on Chrysalis a few months prior). It featured the hits “Every Time I Think Of You” (co-written by and featuring ex Doors bassist Jack Conrad), and the standout driving “Head First”, which presumably the album took it’s title from. The band at the time also included guitarist Wally Stocker (who later played with Rod Stewart) and drummer Tony Brock (ex Strider). As the band had parted ways with their keyboard player prior to (or during) this recording, session players were used as well, including John Sinclair (ex Heavy Metal Kids), on a couple of tracks. Sinclair would go on to join Uriah Heep a few years later, and Jonathan Cain (pre Journey) would join The Babys before their next album.

URIAH HEEP – 1983

Released in the spring of 1983, this would be Heep’s 2nd album with their revitalized line up that recorded the successful Abominog a year before. The band featured new singer Peter Goalby, bass player Bob Daisley, and new keyboard player John Sinclair (along with founder Mick Box, and drummer Lee Kerslake)! It featured the singles “Stay On Top” and “Lonely Nights” (Bryan Adams) – both covers. It also featured the fan favorite “The Other Side Of Midnight”. The title, according to Daisley was inspired by either the Jeff Beck track “Head For Backstage Pass”, and or a line or t-shirt with a similar phrase by the Faces,

*Interesting to note that American band THE LIZARDS, released an album of covers in 2008, titled Ar-che-ol-o-gy, which featured excellent versions of The Babys’ “Head First” and Uriah Heep’s “The Wizard”.

BADFINGER – 1975, 2000, 2024

What was to be BADFINGER’S 7th album, and 3rd for Warner Bros turned into a disaster at the time, as legal issues with Warners saw the album shelved at the time, the suicide of Pete Ham, and essentially the band ending (sure, there were other versions of the band in late 70s & early 80s, but, meh….). Anyway, initially recorded as the follow up to Wish You Were Here (the band’s best IMO), this album was recorded quickly during uncertain times as legal issues saw Wish You Were Here pulled from the shelves, and Warners refusing to release this one. A few tracks appeared on a Badfinger compilation from Rhino in 1990, and the album was released in 2000 on CD. That release was based on a rough mix made at the time 74, by the engineer Phil McDonald. Badfinger’s Head First is now set to get a proper release – properly mixed and overseen by Bob Jackson – who had replaced Joey Molland prior to the recordings. Bob joined original members Pete Ham, Tommy Evans, and Mike Gibbons. The title for this Bacfinger album, came about during the 3 weeks the band had to record, according to Bob Jackson in Dan Matovina’s book ‘The Tragic Story of Badfnger‘ – “…The idea came from Tommy. He wanted the cover to be a lion roaring. The idea was the situation we were in, how we were diving in, ‘head first.” Jackson would go on to record and play with The Dodgers (1978-79) and then The Byron Band (1980-82). the latter led by original Uriah Heep Singer David Byron. Bob also features on the Cherry Red Records new release of The Byron Band ‘On The Rocks…Again‘.

And for the curious….

GERONIMO – 1982

OK, I don’t have this one, nor do i know if it’s connected, But I am extremely interested to hear it. It was issued through a small indie label in Nashville (Brylen), and there seems to be very few copies of this online (cheap) or much info about it. The track listing includes a few familiar titles, which I understand are covers – “Shoot Shoot” (UFO), “Lady Of The 80s” (Loverboy), and “Never Been Any Reason” (Head East). There is also a track titled “Head First” (wonder if this is a Babys’ cover or an original!?) Can’t find credits or anything on Youtube, so if anyone has this – please drop me some info!