In 1988, a Los Angeles based band called Kingdom
Come achieved the nearly impossible test of shipping
gold in the U.S. for sales of over 500,000 copies
BEFORE the release of their self-entitled debut
album. This was the result of their first single "Get It
On" making its way to the top of the playlists across
the country before it was even being released
commercially.
The band who pulled off this sensational coup was
comprised of four American musicians and a
remarkable lead singer who was a native of
Hamburg, Germany. Lenny Wolf not only gave
Kingdom Come its distinctive voice, but was also its
main writer and co-produced the debut album with
the renowned Bob Rock (best known for his work
with Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Loverboy, and Metallica).
The first album went on to sell over 1.3 million copies
worldwide within one year after release, and
Kingdom Come undertook a triumphant debut tour
that ultimately included the U.S., U.K., and most of
Europe and Japan. They appeared with Van Halen,
the Scorpions, and Metallica on the Monsters of
Rock tour in the U.S., and with Bon Jovi and Ratt in
Japan.
Going on non-stop after the tour, Kingdom Come
released their second album, In Your Face (1989),
once again co-produced by Lenny Wolf, this time
around with Keith Olsen, famous for his work with the
likes of Whitesnake, Fleetwood Mac, and Cheap
Trick. However, success had its price. After their first
world tour, the original members parted, besieged by
the pressure of instant acclaim and expectation so
unique to the music business. For Lenny Wolf,
however, a new chapter in the Kingdom Come story
was just beginning. The split meant taking everything
into his own hands. Though a challenge, he took it
on with his usual confidence and enthusiasm.
Returning to Hamburg, he began writing all of the
material for what was to become Kingdom Come's
third album Hands of Time. Taking over full
production responsibilities for the first time, he also
contributed bass and guitar parts. Perhaps his most
important role was his vocal performance, giving the
album the unmistakable voice that had been so
important in establishing Kingdom Come's
phenomenal success.
Following the release of Hands of Time in 1991,
Lenny continued to commute between Los Angeles
and Hamburg, and came in contact with WEA
Germany for the first time. He delivered an exciting
batch of demos, and the relationship culminated in a
WEA worldwide signing for Kingdom Come. The
album Bad Image was recorded in Los Angeles and
Hamburg, with Lenny again taking on the lion's share
of responsibilities.
After a long and frustrating period of business
hassles, and the tragic death of Nigel Thomas, their
manager, the band began work on their next album
Twilight Cruiser. It represents another bold step for
Kingdom Come as the band continues to cross the
frontiers of rock, defying categorization. This is a
powerful and passionate musical statement of
intensely personal and yet universal emotions. This
is music you cannot read about - you have to listen to
it. Twilight Cruiser has been released in Europe and
Japan, and will be released in the U.S. and Canada
in January of '97.
The controversy that began when Kingdom Come
was born will undoubtedly continue with a new label,
new album, and new management. One thing is
certain, however. Kingdom Come is back and here to
stay !
