1983
In November, Phil joins Kevin, Nigel and Steve Bentley.
They rehearse and write material together and go through a couple of name changes, including Purgatory and Hellfire, until one day Steve opens a dictionary, closes his eyes and puts his finger on Elixir. This becomes the new name adopted by the band.
The band look for a vocalist and recruit female singer Sally Pike. They record a four song demo tape at Bark Studios, Walthamstow, and play two gigs at The Green Man, Stratford, before they part company with Sally.
1984 Second demo tape
After auditioning numerous singers, the band are delighted when Paul Taylor comes to audition and he is immediately offered the vocalist job.
The band returns to Bark Studios to record a new demo tape consisting of three songs: "Deal with the Devil", "Born Loser" and "Dead Mans Gold", before parting company with Steve.
After auditioning numerous guitarists, Norman Gordon joins in November. The band are almost as impressed with the way he squeezes a Marshall stack into the back of a Mini as they are with his playing!!
This line-up rehearses throughout November and December preparing for their prestigious debut gig at The Royal Standard, Walthamstow
1985
The band play their debut gig supporting Tokyo Blade on January 4.
This is the first of many shows throughout 1985. The band find time to record a new demo tape at Easter. The three songs are: "Treachery (Ride like the Wind)", "Winds of Time" and "Playing with Fire".
In response to an overwhelming demand from fans at home and abroad, Elixir release their debut single "Treachery (Ride like the Wind)/ Winds of Time" in July. This single is reviewed by Ronnie James Dio in Kerrang! No 99 and is given the thumbs up.
The band see out the rest of the year riding high on the crest of a wave playing shows to bigger and bigger audiences.
Elixir 1985 -1986
In January, the band travel to The Lodge Studios at Clare, Suffolk to record their debut album The Son of Odin.
In February, the band are invited to the BBC studios to record a four song session for The Friday Rock Show hosted by Tommy Vance.
In June the debut album is released and sells well.
In September, the band shoot their first promotional video featuring "The Son of Odin" and "Pandoras Box".
The rest of the year the band tour throughout the UK promoting "The Son of Odin" album.
1987
Friday 13th February, after a disastrous day and gig in Bournemouth, Kev quits the band, shortly followed by Nigel.
The band recruits Mark White on bass but struggle to find a permanent drummer. The band continues to write material.
1988
With the chance to record a second album at Nova Studios at Marble Arch, London, the band invite Clive Burr (formerly of Iron Maiden) to provide the drums.
On 27th December, the band with Clive play at The Royal Standard, Walthamstow.
1989
Finally, the band find a permanent replacement on the drum stool. Stevie Hughes, an old friend of Normans, comes over from Ireland and joins the band.
The band tour throughout the UK, playing the material recorded for the second album.
In autumn, with his first son on the way, Phil quits the band.
1990
Sonic releases the second album and names it "Lethal Potion".
The band puts touring and live appearances on hold, but their reputation grows and grows, with their albums becoming sought after amongst collectors.
2001
At Normans 40th birthday party, Norman, Paul, Phil, Kev and Nigel take to the stage to play "Treachery (Ride like the Wind)".
The band have so much fun that they decide to record the third album.
The band are offered a contract by Cult Metal Classics label to re-release The Son of Odin in C.D. format with bonus tracks.
2002
Elixir headline the Heavy Metal Assault Festival in Athens, Greece.
2003
October 31st - Halloween, now signed with Cold Town Records, the band release "The Idol", an awesome collection of metal, described by Terrorizer Magazine as "the best British metal album of 2003."
2004
April 10th- Elixir make their first appearance in Germany at the Keep It True Festival.
May - Cult Metal Classics release "The Idol" on 12-inch vinyl.
July 10th - Elixir play the Headbanger's Open Air Festival in Germany.
October 30th - Elixir's first appearance in Holland at the Heavy Metal Maniac's Festival.
2005
Paul and Phil travelled to Poland for a few days on 27th April to meet their new manager Bart Gabriel and to guest on Crystal Viper's cover version of the Elixir song "Treachery (Ride Like The Wind)", and on the cover version of the Cirith Ungol song "Chaos Rising".
The band spend most of the year working on their new studio album, 'Mindcreeper', taking time out only to appear at the Motala Metal Festival in Sweden on November 19th.
2006
March - Elixir sign a deal with the Majestic Rock label.
June - 'Mindcreeper', Elixir's new album released.
21st & 22nd July - Elixir's first shows in the USA, appearing at the True Metal America Festival with Halloween and Attacker.
August - Majestic Rock re-release 'The Son of Odin', 'Sovereign Remedy '& 'The Idol'.
9th August - Elixir play the MFN Club in Derby.
30th September - The band return to play The Rosetta, Belfast.
14th October - The first British Steel Festival held at The Pitz, Milton Keynes. Organised by Phil, as a dedicated NWOBHM festival, the first edition had Elixir joined on stage by Demon, The Handsome Beasts, Hammerhead & Overdrive.
2007
9th February - Elixir kick off the year by returning to their old home, The Royal Standard in Walthamstow, to play at Clive Aid, celebrating Clive Burr's 50th birthday. Elixir are joined onstage by Paul Di'Anno for a rendition of the old Iron Maiden number "Running Free".
28th April - The second edition of The British Steel Festival, at The Pitz, Milton Keynes. This time Elixir are joined on the bill by Cloven Hoof, Jaguar, Tygers of Pan Tang and Chariot.
20th October - Elixir's final performance of the year sees them joined by their friends Cloven Hoof at The Purple Turtle, Camden, London
2008
23rd February - Elixir appear at the Play It Loud Festival in Italy
26th April - The third edition of The British Steel Festival is held at The Underworld, Camden, London. Elixir are joined on the bill by Witchfynde, Praying Mantis, Lyadrive & Redline.
14th November - Elixir appear at Clive Aid - The Last Weekend. A Clive Aid charity event to celebrate the last ever weekend of live music at the famous Ruskin Arms pub, Elixir are joined on the bill by Cloven Hoof, Hammerhead and Tokyo Blade among others.
30th November - Elixir make a triumphant return to Athens, Greece, to perform a special 'Son of Odin' show.
2009
4th April - The fourth British Steel Festival is again held at The Underworld, Camden, London. This time Elixir are joined on the bill by Cloven Hoof,
Pagan Altar, Bitches Sin and Celtic Legacy
*NEW* Elixir working on their new song, "'Midnight Messiah' in the studio, July 2008!
Pandora's Box and Son of Odin, filmed at
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, 1986
**NEW** ELIXIR PERFORM IRON HAWK AT BRITISH STEEL FESTIVAL 2, APRIL 28, 2007 THANKS TO MATT DENTON FOR THE CLIP ....
ELIXIR PERFORM RUNNING FREE WITH PAUL DI'ANNO AT CLIVE AID FEBRUARY 9 2007 ....
Knocking on the Gates of Hell video, from the new album Mindcreeper ....
Sovereign Remedy Live @ British Steel Festival 14/10/2006 Thanks to Ieltxu!! ....
Thanks a million for adding me as a friend. You guys are awesome, great guitars and superb vocals, im a fan. Please feel free to check out my own music. Many thanks. Peace.
I am completely devastated by this absolute tragedy, the METAL/Music community has lost yet another alltime great! Even though I didn't know MIDNIGHT (real name: John Patrick McDonald Jr.) personally... his voice and music has touched my soul and brought me through many a dark time in my own life! He will be missed dearly, and never be forgotten! MIDNIGHT will forever live on in all of our hearts and minds through his amazing voice! May his soul R.I.P.!
This weeks album feature on the Old School Metal Show is the 2003 release from Elixir, The Idol! Played in its entirety with no interruptions. 10 tracks, 45 minutes of the best NWoBHM there is.
Online!
