Law was an American rock band, originating from Ohio, that was active throughout the 1970s. The band is particularly notable for its support by Roger Daltrey of The Who, as well as for its later inclusion of Roy Kenner, formerly of The James Gang, as lead vocalist.
History:
Law started out as a trio in Youngstown, Ohio and were formed in February 1971 by Steve Lawrence, Steve Acker and Mickey Williamson. The name came from their initials from each of their surnames. They were originally a three piece power trio and their music was similar to that of ZZ Top. They were known as a "boogie band "performing blues-based hard driving rock. Within a year of their creation they were opening for national acts such as Bob Seger, Edgar Winter's White Trash and Alice Cooper. In an outdoor show in Lake Milton with an audience of 5,000, as well as opening the program which featured various stars they also later performed as Chuck Berry's backup band. They would also open shows for The Who in the seventies and later Jethro Tull and Earth Wind & Fire and Boston etc.
One of the founding members Mickey Williamson had left the band in 1973 because of family commitments. Ronnie Lee Cunningham who the other two members had become friendly with was now available due to the breakup of his band Brainchild and he accepted their offer to replace Mickey Williamson. A bass player from Macon, Georgia, John McIvor was added as well.
By the mid seventies the group was a 4-piece funk and rock band consisting of Ronnie Lee Cunningham on lead vocals and keyboards, John McIver on bass, Steve Lawrence on bass Tom Poole on drums and Steve Acker on guitar. Tom Poole had replaced their first drummer, Steve Lawrence. Steve Lawrence would rejoin the band at a later stage.
They had signed with GRC Records and recorded their first album in 1975 at GRC Records studio. The album the album also featured Memphis Horns, Joe Lala on perussion and Albhy Galuten on Synthesizer. The album wasn't a success but Wake Up written by Ronnie Lee Cunningham caught the attention of Roger Daltrey. Daltrey and his manager Bill Curbishly signed Law to their production company. They put Law on tour with the Who and also signed them to MCA Records.
Just before the spring of 1976, drummer Steve Lawrence would rejoin the band as Tom Poole's replacement. They also decided to add a second singer to their line up. On the suggestion of their producers, Ron and Howard Albert who had come up with a couple of singers who didn't get the job. The next consideration was Roy Kenner from the James Gang. Steve Acker flew to Toronto to interview him. Acker then invited him to join the band. Kenner accepted his offer and then moved to Ohio. This increased the group's line up to five.
The group broke up after the release of their second MCA album, Hold On to It. Possibly due to the multicultural nature of the group's music the band's albums they had trouble slotting into the radio format. With a lack of airplay, record sales were disappointing. Steve Acker had left the band in December 1977 and Law broke up.
2009:
In July 2009, Steve Acker's website reported that LAW had reformed. Original members Steve Acker and Steve Lawrence along with Pennsylvania bassist and singer Bob Pizzoferato and an at the time unnamed keyboardist had reformed the group. They recorded a song called GO BUCKS! for the Ohio State University. The production involved Rob Parissi who is the former lead singer of Wild Cherry and writer of the hit Play That Funky Music (White Boy).
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