Alcatrazz is an American rock band formed in 1983 by Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo, and Gary Shea. They are best known for their songs "Island in the Sun", "Hiroshima Mon Amour", and "God Blessed Video". They are also notable for featuring a previously unknown Yngwie Malmsteen as their lead guitarist for a year, who was then replaced by Steve Vai, with whom they recorded one album.

Following an internal disagreement and split in 2020, there are currently two separate and distinct Alcatrazz lineups, one featuring Bonnet, and another featuring Waldo and Shea.

The band went through a number of lineup changes, with Bonnet being the only member to be in every incarnation of Alcatrazz. Yngwie Malmsteen was the original guitarist of Alcatrazz from 1983 to 1984, and was subsequently replaced by Steve Vai, and then by Danny Johnson in the original incarnation of the band up until 1987. Joe Stump became the Alcatrazz guitarist when the band reformed, and remains the guitarist in the Waldo-Shea lineup of Alcatrazz. In June 2021, Jeff Loomis was announced as the guitarist in the Bonnet lineup of Alcatrazz.

After breaking up in 1987, Bonnet toured from 2006 to 2014 as Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet with various lineups, before a one-off reunion show in 2017 led to Bonnet and Waldo reforming the band once more in 2020, with Shea rejoining shortly after. From their inception in 1983 until 2020, Alcatrazz released four studio albums: No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll (1983), Disturbing the Peace (1985), Dangerous Games (1986), and Born Innocent (2020). Several months after the release of Born Innocent, Bonnet and the other four members of Alcatrazz – Waldo, Shea, Stump, and drummer Mark Benquechea – announced a split from one another, with both camps intending to continue to record music under the name Alcatrazz. The Waldo-Shea-Stump-Benquechea camp announced that Doogie White was now their lead singer, and released the studio album V in October 2021. Meanwhile, Bonnet announced that he was moving forward once again with his own version of Alcatrazz. In June 2021, Jeff Loomis was announced as the guitarist for the Bonnet lineup of Alcatrazz, with a new studio album in the works.

History

The band's initial lineup consisted of former Rainbow singer frontman Graham Bonnet, young Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who had recently left the American metal band Steeler, Gary Shea and Jimmy Waldo from New England and Clive Burr of Iron Maiden fame. Burr was reportedly only in the band for a week, and left upon discovering the band was going to be based in the United States, as opposed to his native England. Burr was soon replaced by former Iron Butterfly drummer Jan Uvena, who had just left Alice Cooper's backing band. Shea dubbed the group "Alcatrazz". For the first album, the bulk of the material was written by Bonnet and Malmsteen, with Waldo contributing to several tracks.

The band's debut album, No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll was released in late 1983 on Rocshire Records. Being discontent with the sonic qualities of the recording, Malmsteen tried to prevent the release of the album but failed. Some Rainbow covers were included, including "Since You Been Gone". The album peaked at No. 133 in the US. A live video concert was also produced. During this period, internal turmoil began surfacing within the band, between Malmsteen and Bonnet. According to Malmsteen, Bonnet had become fed up with the attention drawn to his guitar playing from fans over Bonnet's vocals. According to Malmsteen, their professional relationship ended with the two having an altercation on stage after Bonnet allegedly tampered with Malmsteen's amplifiers during a guitar solo and "Since You Been Gone" at a show in Oklahoma. This resulted in Malmsteen yelling at and arguing with Bonnet, Bonnet poking Malmsteen in the stomach with his microphone stand, and finally with Malmsteen punching Bonnet, all taking place on stage. Following this, Malmsteen left Alcatrazz and created his own band called Rising Force, who signed with Polydor Records and released a successful self-titled debut album.

Waldo replaced Malmsteen with former Frank Zappa guitarist Steve Vai, With Steve Vai, the group worked on new material and then headlined another tour of Japan, which introduced Vai to the fans and allowed them to play new material from the upcoming album. A concert video was filmed from these dates.

The band released Disturbing the Peace in the spring of 1985. They also headlined the BerkRock festival in Berkovitsa, Bulgaria in July 2008 and have played various West Coast US dates including support slots for Y&T. Alcatrazz continued to perform live occasionally until 2014.

In March 2017, three-fifths of the original lineup (Bonnet, Waldo and Shea) reunited for three shows in Japan, which also included Conrado Pesinato and Mark Benquechea on guitar and drums respectively. The performances were recorded for the live album/DVD Parole Denied – Tokyo 2017, which was released on December 7, 2018. In February 2019, Bonnet confirmed that he had once again resurrected Alcatrazz, with a new lineup featuring himself, Waldo and Benquechea, as well as guitarist Joe Stump and bassist Beth-Ami Heavenstone. She briefly became the band's first female member, having been in Bonnet's namesake band. This lineup had planned to record a new album together, which was also said to be including contributions from Chris Impellitteri, Bob Kulick, Dario Mollo and former Alcatrazz guitarist Steve Vai. Heavenstone was replaced on bass in January 2020 by a returning Gary Shea. Alcatrazz's first studio album in 34 years, Born Innocent, was released on July 31, 2020.

On December 4, 2020, it was announced that Alcatrazz had parted ways with vocalist Graham Bonnet and recruited vocalist Doogie White following conflicts regarding the band's management. On June 4, 2021, the first single from the White-fronted Alcatrazz, "Turn of the Wheel" was released. A few days later, Jeff Loomis (Nevermore, Sanctuary) was announced as the guitarist for the Bonnet-led lineup, now referred to as Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz.

On July 23, 2021, the White-fronted version of Alcatrazz released another single, "Sword of Deliverance", and announced that their fifth album, titled V, would be released on October 15, 2021. Music videos were released for the singles "Turn of the Wheel" on June 4, 2021 and "Sword of Deliverance" on July 23, 2021.

On March 13, 2024, the band announced vocalist Doogie White had departed the band to focus on his solo career and was being replaced by Warlord vocalist Giles Lavery.

On May 12, 2025, Alcatrazz announced that they had signed with BraveWords Records and are planning to release a new album in 2026.

Band members

Current members

  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals <small>(1983–1987, 2017, 2019–present)</small>
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals <small>(1983–1987, 2017, 2020–present)</small>
  • Joe Stump – guitars <small>(2019–present)</small>
  • Giles Lavery – lead vocals <small>(2024–present)</small>
  • Mark Benquechea – drums <small>(2017, 2019–2021, 2025–present)</small>

Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals <small>(1983-1987, 2006–2014, 2021–present; 1983–1987, 2017, 2019–2020 in Alcatrazz)</small>
  • Jeff Loomis – guitars <small>(2021–present)</small>
  • Van Williams – drums <small>(2024–present)</small>

Former members

  • Clive Burr – drums, percussion <small>(1983; died 2013)</small>
  • Yngwie Malmsteen – guitars <small>(1983–1984)</small>
  • Jan Uvena – drums, percussion, backing vocals <small>(1983–1987)</small>
  • Steve Vai – guitars, backing vocals <small>(1984–1986)</small>
  • Danny Johnson – guitars, backing vocals <small>(1986–1987)</small>
  • Jay Davis – bass <small>(1987)</small>
  • Conrado Pesinato – guitar <small>(2017)</small>
  • Beth-Ami Heavenstone – bass <small>(2019–2020)</small>
  • Doogie White – lead vocals <small>(2020–2024)</small>
  • Larry Paterson – drums <small>(2021–2025)</small>

Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet

  • Howie Simon – guitars, backing vocals <small>(2006–2014)</small>
  • Tim Luce – bass, backing vocals <small>(2006–2014)</small>
  • Glen Sobel – drums, percussion, backing vocals <small>(2006–2009)</small>
  • Dave Dzialak – drums, percussion <small>(2009–2010)</small>
  • Jeff Bowders – drums, percussion <small>(2010–2011)</small>
  • Bobby Rock – drums, percussion, backing vocals <small>(2011–2014)</small>

Timeline

Lineups

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|-

!scope="col" style="width:10em;"|Period

!scope="col" style="width:35em;"|Members

!scope="col" style="width:25em;"|Releases

|-

!scope="col"|1983

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Yngwie Malmsteen – guitars
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Clive Burr – drums, percussion

|none

|-

!scope="col"|1983–1984

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Yngwie Malmsteen – guitars
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Jan Uvena – drums, percussion, backing vocals

|

  • No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll (1983)
  • Live Sentence (1984)
  • Metallic Live (VHS) (1984)
  • No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll Tour – Live in Japan 1984.1.28 (DVD reissue) (2010)
  • Live '83 (2010)
  • Live in Japan 1984 – Complete Edition (2018)

|-

!scope="col"|1984–1985

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Steve Vai – guitars, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Jan Uvena – drums, percussion, backing vocals

|

  • Power Live (VHS) (1985)
  • Disturbing the Peace Tour – Live in Japan 1984.10.10 (DVD Reissue) (2010)
  • Disturbing the Peace (1985)

|-

!scope="col"|1985–1987

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Danny Johnson – guitars, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Jan Uvena – drums, percussion, backing vocals

|

  • Dangerous Games (1986)

|-

!scope="col" colspan="3"|1987–2006 (Disbanded)

|-

!scope="col"|2006–2009

(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet)

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Howie Simon – guitars, backing vocals
  • Tim Luce – bass, backing vocals
  • Glen Sobel – drums, percussion, backing vocals

| rowspan="4" |none

|-

!scope="col"|2009–2010

(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet)

| valign="top" |

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Howie Simon – guitars, backing vocals
  • Tim Luce – bass, backing vocals
  • Dave Dzialak – drums, percussion

|-

!scope="col"|2010–2011

(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet)

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Howie Simon – guitars, backing vocals
  • Tim Luce – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff Bowders – drums, percussion

|-

!scope="col"|2011–2014

(Alcatrazz featuring Graham Bonnet)

| valign="top" |

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Howie Simon – guitars, backing vocals
  • Tim Luce – bass, backing vocals
  • Bobby Rock – drums, percussion, backing vocals

|-

!scope="col" colspan="3"|2014–2016 (Disbanded)

|-

!scope="col"|2017

(one-off show)

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals

with

  • Conrado Pesinato – guitars
  • Mark Benquechea – drums

|

  • Parole Denied – Tokyo 2017 (2018)

|-

! colspan="3" |2017–2019 (Disbanded)

|-

!2019–2020

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Joe Stump – guitars
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Beth-Ami Heavenstone – bass
  • Mark Benquechea – drums

|none

|-

!2020

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Joe Stump – guitars
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Mark Benquechea – drums

|

  • Born Innocent (2020)

|-

!2020–2021

(Waldo-Shea's Alcatrazz)

|

  • Doogie White – lead vocals
  • Joe Stump – guitars
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Mark Benquechea – drums

|

  • V (2021)

|-

!2021–present

(Waldo-Shea's Alcatrazz)

|

  • Doogie White – lead vocals
  • Joe Stump – guitars
  • Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, synthesizers, keytar, piano, backing vocals
  • Gary Shea – bass, backing vocals
  • Larry Paterson – drums

|

  • Take No Prisoners (2023)

|-

!2021–present

(Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz)

|

  • Graham Bonnet – lead vocals
  • Jeff Loomis – guitars

|none

|}

Discography

Studio albums

{| class="wikitable"

!Date

!Title

!Label

!Chart positions

|-

|1983

|No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll

|Rocshire

|Weeks on Chart: 18, Peak: No.&nbsp;128

|-

|1985

|Disturbing the Peace

|Capitol

|Weeks on Chart: 16, Peak: No.&nbsp;145

|-

|1986

|Dangerous Games

|Capitol

|

|-

|2020

|Born Innocent

|Silver Lining Music

|

|-

|2021

|V

|Silver Lining Music

|

|-

|2023

|Take No Prisoners

|Silver Lining Music

|

|-

|}

Live albums

{| class="wikitable"

!Date

!Title

!Label

!Chart positions

|-

|1984

|Live Sentence

|Rocshire

|Weeks on Chart: 10, Peak: No.&nbsp;133

|-

|2010

|Live '83

|Deadline Music

|

|-

|2010

|No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll Tour Live in Japan 1984.1.28 Audio Tracks

| rowspan="2" |Ward Records

|

|-

|2010

|Disturbing the Peace Tour Live in Japan 1984.10.10 Audio Tracks

|

|-

|2018

|Live in Japan 1984 – Complete Edition

|Ear Music

|

|-

|2018

|Parole Denied – Tokyo 2017

|Frontiers Records

|

|}

Compilations

{| class="wikitable"

!Date

!Title

!Label

!Chart positions

|-

|1998

|The Best of Alcatrazz

|Renaissance Records

|－

|-

|2016

|The Ultimate Fortress Rock Set (box)

|Store For Music

|－

|-

|2017

|Breaking the Heart of the City: The Best of Alcatrazz (3CD-Boxset)

| rowspan="2" |Cherry Red Records

|－

|-

|2018

|The Official Bootleg Boxset 1983–1986: Live, Demo, Rehearsals (6CD-Boxset)

|

|}

Singles

{| class="wikitable"

!Date

!Title

!Label

!Album

|-

|1983

| "Island in the Sun"

|Rocshire

|No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll

|-

|rowspan=1|1985

|"God Blessed Video"

|rowspan=1|Capitol

|rowspan=1|Disturbing the Peace

|-

|}

12" Promotional Singles

{| class="wikitable"

!Date

!Title

!Label

!Album

|-

|rowspan=1|1985

|"Will You Be Home Tonight"

|rowspan=4|Capitol

|rowspan=1|Disturbing the Peace

|-

|rowspan=3|1986

|"Dangerous Games"

|rowspan=3|Dangerous Games

|-

|"It's My Life"

|-

|"Under Cover"

|-

|}

Videos

  • Metallic Live (VHS) (1984)
  • No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll Tour – Live in Japan 1984.1.28 (DVD Reissue) (2010)
  • Power Live (VHS) (1985)
  • Disturbing the Peace Tour – Live in Japan 1984.10.10 (DVD Reissue) (2010)

References

  • Alcatrazz website