White Spirit were an English heavy metal band from Hartlepool, formed in 1975 and best remembered as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, especially for launching guitarist Janick Gers, who later joined Iron Maiden. Their sound leaned closer to 1970s hard rock influences like Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, distinguished by the unusual integration of keyboards into their heavy style. The band released their only self-titled album in 1980 on MCA Records, along with singles such as Backs to the Grind, and appeared on notable NWOBHM compilations and at the Reading Festival. Despite early promise, they disbanded in 1981 after Gers left to join Ian Gillan’s band, though members like Brian Howe and Graeme Crallan went on to other projects. The group was briefly revived between 2022 and 2024 by Malcolm Pearson and Mick Tucker
