Rosetta Stone

• Damian McKee - vocals
• Ian Mitchell - guitar
• Andy LeGear - guitar (1976-)
• Terry McKee - drums
• Colin McKee - bass
• Paul 'Flash' Lerwill AKA Gregory Gray - (1978-82)
• Enda Walsh - (1982-84)
  
  
  Rosetta Stone in 1977, LR: Andy LeGear, Ian Mitchell, Terry McKee, Colin McKee, Damian McKee
  
  
  Rosetta Stone in 1978, LR: Colin McKee, Damian McKee, Paul Lerwill, Terry McKee, Andy LeGear
  
  

Bio:

Rosetta Stone began in 1973 as a schoolboy band formed by brothers Damian, Terry and Colin McKee and their friend Ian Mitchell. They went through a variety of names (including Albatross and Bang) and by 1975 were known as the Young City Stars, who were popular in local clubs. The Young City Stars supported the Bay City Rollers at the ABC Theatre in Belfast on December 22nd 1975. Ian Mitchell subsequently joined the Rollers in April 1976 and was catapulted into pop stardom for a few heady months before bowing out due to mental exhaustion before the end of the year. He then rejoined the Young City Stars in late 1976, playing guitar alongside his replacement Andy LeGear (ex Wooden Shoe). Now with the might of the Rollers management behind them, they became Rosetta Stone and signed a deal with the Private Stock label. Their debut LP came out in May 1978. A second album was released in Japan only in January 1979, after which Mitchell left the band. He was replaced by Paul Lerwill.

If Rosetta Stone's 70s output is dismissed by some as teenybopper fodder, their new wave influenced 80s output is usually more warmly received. They released six singles on three labels between 1980-82, including arguably their best recording "I Don't Like School". Three tracks from this peruod (the third A-side and both sides of the fourth single) were covers of songs taken from the 1980 solo debut LP by a pre-fame Bryan Adams, then virtually unknown at this time outside his native Canada (except perhaps to Sweeney Todd fans). They had some success in Canada as a result. Paul Lerwill left after the next single 'Goodbye Guitar Man' , a nederglam cover from 1973. He made way for Enda Walsh in 1982, who appears on the bands final single 'Straight From the Heart', another Bryan Adams tune. A 12-inch edition was also issued in Canada.

Rosetta Stone split in 1984. Ian Mitchell later fronted numerous glam/metal bands including his own Ian Mitchell Band (mid-79) but success eluded him. I also recall reading a scandalous story in the gossip column in Sounds circa 1981 about a porn magazine photo shoot involving members of the band. Paul Lerwill changed his name to Gregory Gray to completely disassociate himself with Rosetta Stone management and was later involved in Perfect Crime before launching a solo career. Enda Lewis later worked with Van Morrison.

Rosetta Stone have reformed sporadically for one-off gigs over the years.

Notes: One-sided interview/message flexi disc in lavish full-colour 10-page booklet sleeve, given away with Japanese weekly magazine Seventeen.

 



side one:
If Paradise Is Half As Nice
Penny
At The Disco
Sunshine Of Your Love
Rock 'n Roll (I'm Coming Home)

side two:
Judy, Judy, Judy
Drive On
Angelina
Steel Willie
Free As A Bird
You Really Got Me

CD bonus tracks:
Debut Message To The Fans (from flexi)
Hiding from Love
Remember

 

side one:
Door to the Party
Ain't Nothing But a House Party
Na Na Na
Who You Are
No Better Than the Rest

side two:
Try It On
Gonna Grab It
Hey Little Girl
Now's the Time
Play the Game

CD bonus tracks:
Sheila
I Don't Like It
Tall Order for a Short Guy (previously unreleased)

side one:
Hiding From Love
When You're Standing There
Goodbye Guitar Man
side two:
Remember
Too Bad (You Won't Be Back)

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