Pride (White Lion album)

''Pride'' is the second studio album by the American-Danish glam metal band White Lion, released on June 21, 1987, by Atlantic Records. The album featured the two top ten hits "Wait" and "When the Children Cry". It peaked at number 11 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and remained in the '' Billboard'' Top 200 for a full year, selling two million copies in the US alone. The album has been praised for its unique and perfect guitar tone.

Overview

The recording process of the album took six weeks and the album was produced by Michael Wagener. The album's first single, "Wait", was released on June 1, 1987, but did not make waves until MTV began airing the music video in January 1988, seven months after its release, pushing the single to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. In August 1988, more than a year after the album's release, the second single " Tell Me" also featuring a music video hit #58. ''Pride''s third single, a gentle acoustic ballad titled "When the Children Cry", made it all the way to #3, again with heavy MTV rotation of the music video. The album peaked at #11 on the album charts. ''Pride'' would remain on the top 200 ''Billboard'' album charts for a full year.

The success of "When the Children Cry" would eventually push sales of ''Pride'' over the two million mark in the US, achieving double platinum status. In addition, guitarist Vito Bratta was recognized for his instrumental talents by racking up ''Best New Guitarist'' awards with both '' Guitar World'' magazine and '' Guitar for the Practicing Musician'' magazine.

"All You Need Is Rock 'n' Roll" was the fourth single released from the album.

In 1986, the band first recorded a few songs in Frankfurt, in the same studio as "Fight to Survive". But on returning home, they chose to ignore these songs and record a brand new record in Los Angeles. These demo songs can be found on "Pride Take One ´86" and the later "Anthology" album.

When they were recording the drums, Vito played the solo to the song "Wait" as a backing track but the producer was so pleased that they kept the recording. Michael Wagener has told in interviews that he got goosebumps when he heard Vito play the solo. They also had to borrow an older Fender stratocaster that once belonged to Jimi Hendrix to record another solo on the record.

In an interview with drummer Greg D`Angelo, he says that the first demo songs had the same raw sound as the first record, but they took a chance on recording and releasing the record with the new, slightly more commercial sound and it turned out to be perfect.

Tour

The Pride tour started in June 1987, as White Lion opened for Frehley's Comet. The next year and a half was filled with constant touring, opening for such bands as Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne. KISS in December 1987. In January 1988 White Lion landed the opening slot for AC/DC on their ''Blow Up Your Video'' American tour. They'd end the tour opening for Stryper in the summer of 1988.

While touring with AC/DC, the ''Pride'' album and "Wait" single finally charted, due in no small part to MTV airing the "Wait" music video in regular rotation – nearly seven months after the single's release. In February 1988, a show "Live at the Ritz" in New York City was filmed for an MTV concert special and was released on VHS along with another full concert video titled "One Night in Tokyo".

In the spring of 1989, the Pride tour finally ended.

Track listing

All tracks written by Vito Bratta and Mike Tramp.

HNE Recordings 2020 box set bonus tracks

Personnel

White Lion

*Mike Tramp – vocals, rhythm guitar
* Vito Bratta – lead guitar
*James LoMenzo – bass
*Greg D'Angelo – drums

Production

*Produced, engineered & Mixed By Michael Wagener
*Assistant engineer: Gggarth
*Mastered By George Marino
*All Songs Published By Vavoom Music

Charts

Album

Singles

Certifications

Accolades

References

{{Authority control

1987 albums
White Lion albums
Atlantic Records albums
Albums produced by Michael Wagener