Never as inspiring as their grand moniker suggested, the HEAVY METAL KIDS nonetheless possessed the ability to create some enthusiastically received, rough n' ready Rock n' Roll. The band built themselves quite a fan base, especially in the London area, and issued a series of commendable, if sometimes overlooked, albums. The group was formulated during 1973 by an assemblage of members from BIGGLES and HEAVEN in vocalist / bassist Ronnie Thomas, guitar players Mickey Waller and Barry Paul plus Keith Boyce on drums. The band name was adopted after a street gang portrayed in a novel by noted Beat writer William Burroughs.

During October 1973 Barry Paul took up an offer to join FLASH and was duly replaced by ex-BLUE MAX and THE RATS man Danny Peyronel. In this formation Dave Dee, of sixties chartbusters DAVE DEE, DOZY, BEAKY, MICK & TICH and newly appointed as Atlantic Records A&R, contracted the band as the first UK office signing for the label. 

On July 21st 1973 HEAVY METAL KIDS played the 'Summer Rock' festival in Frankfurt, Germany sharing the stage with GENTLE GIANT, CURVED AIR, HARDIN & YORK, JON HISEMAN'S TEMPEST, BLACK SABBATH and RORY GALLAGHER. In January 1974 Dave Dee acted as producer for their opening Phil Chapman engineered eponymous album. Mickey Waller left the band shortly after the debut release.

Entering Island Studios HEAVY METAL KIDS cut their second album, 'Anvil Chorus', in January 1975 working with producer Andy Johns. The group's first US dates in 1975 would witness a re-branding to THE KIDS. Support dates to KISS proved eventful, as Holton broke his mid-tour. In December 1975, the act signed with producer Mickie Most's RAK label, butbefore work commenced on new material Holton was dismissed.

Danny Peyronel joined UFO in 1975 for their 'No Heavy Petting' album. Guitarist Cosmo was drafted to fulfill recording commitments. The band actually split following the issue of 'Anvil Chorus', but reformed with keyboard player John Sinclair and guitarist Barry Paul. Keyboard duties were doled out to Jay Williams. Sinclair formed LION before joining SAVOY BROWN and then URIAH HEEP. Sinclair, besides gaining performing credits on the classic spoof movie 'Spinal Tap', would also become long term live keyboard player for OZZY OSBOURNE, a position he enjoyed for two decades.

Some valuable recognition came their way in 1976 when Radio 1 airplay for the track 'She's No Angel' garnered a television 'Top Of The Pops' appearance. In late 1977, Holton rejoined the band for a smattering of live shows and the long-delayed third album, 'Kitsch'. However, Holton exited again in mid-1978 and HEAVY METAL KIDS splintered again.

That December Holton stood in as substitute for Dave Vanian on a run of Scottish gigs performed by THE DAMNED. As a solo artist, Holton scored a surprise no. 1 in Norway with his rendition of the KENNY ROGERS staple 'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town'. The singer was strongly linked to AC/DC following the tragic death of Bon Scott. Holton also hit the British charts in 1984 with his version of 'Catch A Falling Star', The singer had found fame as a TV actor alongside Jimmy Nail, playing the King birding, Cockney bricklayer Wayne in the ITV series 'Auf Wiedersehn Pet'. Sadly, at the height of his acting career, Holton died in tragic circumstances, his autopsy revealing a lethal ingestion of alcohol, morphine, diazepam and cannabis, on 25th October 1985 during filming of the second series.

Post UFO Peyronel then journeyed back to his birthplace of Argentina to join RIFF before relocating to Spain and joining BANZAI. Whilst in Spain Peyronel created a short-lived 'supergroup' consisting of CREAM drummer GINGER BAKER, former MOODY BLUES and WINGS guitarist Denny Laine and the FAMILY and BLIND FAITH credited bassist Ric Grech. The project fell apart and Peyronel founded acclaimed Spanish based Rockers TARZEN.

TARZEN originally comprised Peyronel, his erstwhile BANZAI colleague Salvador Dominquez on guitar, ex-GRAND PRIX bassist Ralph Hood and Danny's brother Michel on drums. Before long Dominiquez was ousted in favour of ex-STAMPEDE, GRAND SLAM and L.A. SECRETS guitarist Lawrence Archer in 1986. Peyronel would also enjoy acclaim as a hit songwriter penning MEAT LOAF's 'Midnight At The Lost And Found' as well as songs for sultry Soul diva SADE. Drummer Keith Boyce would find his talents employed by Blues Rock veterans SAVOY BROWN.

The HEAVY METAL KIDS were resurrected in 2002 for an album entitled 'A Hundred Skeletons'. DANNY PEYRONEL, who also issued a solo record 'Make The Monkey Dance' the same year, would handle lead vocals and keyboards alongside Ronnie Thomas on bass and Keith Boyce on drums. Joining this trio would be Italian guitarists Marco Guarnerio and Marco Barusso.

A brand new HEAVY METAL KIDS album 'Hit The Right Button' arrived in April of 2003. That same year Peyronel guested on the FIRE TRAILS album 'Vanadium Tribute'. A compilation of archive HEAVY METAL KIDS tracks, 'By Appointment...Best Of The Old Bollocks', arrived in 2004 with interest gaining enough momentum to issue the DVD 'Delirious, Classic Kids Capers' two years later.

The group, having inducted new guitarist Matteo Salvadori in October 2008, worked up a new album, 'Uncontrollable', in 2009.

Garry Sharpe-Young