White Lion

White Lion was a hard rock/heavy metal music band of the 1980s and early 1990s. The band was formed in New York City in 1984 by Denmark-born vocalist Mike Tramp. After moving from Denmark, Mike met guitarist Vito Bratta, forming a band. Later, the band grew to include drummer Nicki Capozzi and bassist Felix Robinson. The band was signed by a small label called Grand Slam records in January 1985. While recording the song The Road to Valhalla, both Capozzi and Robinson left the band. Nicki Capozzi was replaced by Dan Spitz, and Felix Robinson was replaced by James Lomenzo. Within a month of joining, Dan Spitz left to become guitarist for Anthrax and was replaced by former Anthrax drummer Greg D'Angelo.

The band then finished their debut album, Fight to Survive, which was released on November 9, 1985. A few months later, Grand Slam records went bankrupt.

In 1986, White Lion, with a fictitious "female" member, had a brief part in the Tom Hanks/Shelley Long movie The Money Pit. Early in 1987, the band was signed by Atlantic Records. By then, their debut album was out of print and extremely hard to find.

On June 21, 1987, their second album, Pride, was released (the same day as Keel's Keel album, and Helix's Wild in The Streets) The first single from Pride was 'Wait/Don't Give Up, released on June 1, 1987. However, it took seven months before the song became a hit.

The Pride tour started in July 1987 as White Lion opened for Ace Frehley's 80s band Frehley's Comet. In September 1987, White Lion became the opening band for KISS (who had just started their Crazy Nights tour).

White Lion spent the rest of 1987 on tour with KISS. In January 1988 started opening for AC/DC on their Blow Up Your Video tour.

While opening for AC/DC, the Pride album and Wait single finally charted. Wait hit #8 on the singles chart, while Pride stalled at #11 on the album chart.

In August 1988, the album's second single "Tell Me" stopped at #58. Around the time this single was released, White Lion played at the Ritz club in New York City. Like Guns N' Roses, White Lion's show at the Ritz was filmed and later aired on MTV.

White Lion concluded the Pride tour by opening for Stryper from September 1988 to February 1989 during Stryper's In God We Trust tour. The "Pride" album's third single, When The Children Cry, made it to #3, making Pride one of about 18 hard rock albums to ever have multiple top 10 hits.

In August 1989, White Lion released their third album, "Big Game," a disappointing follow-up to "Pride" that featured the singles "Little Fighter," "Cry For Freedom," and a rambunctious cover of Golden Earring's "Radar Love." As soon as the album went gold it slowly declined on the charts.

After 2 years of writing and recording, the new album, "Mane Attraction," was released. The album failed to chart as well as the last two. It barely recieved any airplay due to the recent grunge explosion. Greg D'Angelo and James Lomenzo soon left the band, but White Lion carried on with Tommy T-Bone Caradonna on bass and Jimmy De Grasso on drums. White Lion soon broke up there last show was in Boston at the channel in September 1991.

After White Lion, Mike Tramp went on to form Freaks of Nature, which released three albums and later broke up, after which he pursued a solo career. Vito Bratta stayed with Antlantic Records to help produce a album for CPR and later tried to form a music group but failed and he has been out of the music buisness ever since.

James Lomenzo and Greg D'Angelo joined Zakk Wylde's band, Lynyrd Skynhead, which became the band Pride & Glory when Greg D'Angelo was replaced by Brian Tichy. Pride & Glory released on album, then James Lomenzo left the band. He then recorded and toured with David Lee Roth and now tours with Zakk Wylde's band Black Label Society. Greg D'Angelo is now the new drummer for the band Anti Product.

Towards the end of 2003, Mike Tramp said that White Lion was planning to reunite. This statement was quickly denied by the other members.

White Lion should not be confused with the band White Tiger.