After Dinner Speakers: Uriah Heep, Nelson Mandella, Malcolm Gladwell

The British progressive rock band Uriah Heep, who take their unusual name from a character in the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield, were one of the more popular rock bands of the 1970s, selling millions of albums and influencing groups from Queen to Iron Maiden with their fantasy-inspired hard-hitting guitar rock. The roots of Uriah Heep extend back to the 1960s, when vocalist David Byron and guitarist Mick Box performed together in a cover band called the Stalkers. The two friends later formed the London-area group Spice, which mixed covers with original hard rock/jazz numbers. By 1969 the duo had formed a new band called Uriah Heep with ex-Gods members Ken Hensley (keyboards) and Paul Newton (bass) and local drummer Nigel Olsson. The quintet released a groove-laden eponymous album (called Very 'eavy, Very 'umble in the U.K.) in 1970, followed by 1971's Look at Yourself, recorded with drummer Ian Clarke. (Olsson left to work with Elton John.) Later that year the group showcased their prog-rock side on Salisbury, an album which featured a 16-minute orchestral piece. Lee Kerslake became the group's permanent drummer, while bassist Paul Newton was replaced by Gary Thain. With 1972's hit album Demons and Wizards Uriah Heep finally became a household name on both sides of the Atlantic, their heavy, pulsing space-rock accompanied by mystical fantasy-oriented lyrics that won over many fans. After rehashing the formula on 1972's Magician's Birthday, 1973's Sweet Freedom, and 1974's Wonderworld the group was more popular than ever, but during the late '70s the group underwent numerous lineup changes and became more of a cult prog-rock band than a mass-market hard rock act. Throughout the '80s and '90s the group pressed on, members coming and going. Though overlooked in the U.S. and Britain, the group remained enormously popular in Eastern Europe and South America. Fronted by original guitarist Mick Box, Uriah Heep continues performing and recording to this day.