Bandit (band)


Bandit were an English rock band, formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1979. They are not to be confused with the same Bandit from the U.S. who released their only album in 1975 on ABC Records, nor any other act with the same name since.

Background

Bandit released two albums with different line-ups. Bandit's debut Bandit was released in late 1976 on Arista Records. This album featured Jim Diamond on lead vocals, Danny McIntosh on guitar, future AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams, James Litherland, and drummer Graham Broad, now of Roger Waters' band. A single entitled "Ohio" was also released. The punk rock music scene of the time caused a lack of attention and the band later parted ways. Diamond went on to join Ph.D., and gained a UK Top 10 hit with "I Won't Let You Down". He later went solo and scored two more chart-toppers.
The second album, Partners in Crime, was produced by Matthew Fisher of Procol Harum and released by Ariola Records in 1978. "One Way Love", a single from the album reached No. 76 on the American Billboard chart. The only member of the original line-up to feature on the second album was McIntosh. The other band members for the second album were Gerry Trew on lead vocals, drummer Theodore Thunder, and bassist Tony Lester. Both albums are long out of print. McIntosh is now the guitarist for, and husband of, the singer-songwriter Kate Bush.
A third album was recorded and featured guitarist Mick Grabham of Procol Harum but was never released and finally the band broke up. A 5-song EP from the unreleased album was released in 2016 entitled . The band's final tour was with John Miles in 1979 with the lineup Trew, Lester, Grabham and Thunder.