Progressive Rock charts

Review: Lights Out was released in May 1977 and became the group's biggest album to date, reaching number 23 in the US. Michael Schenker's status as the most exciting guitarist in heavy rock was confirmed. The band were rejuvenated with a personnel change as Paul Raymond replaced Danny Peyronel and Leo Lyons, who had produced the band's previous three albums was replaced by Ron Nevison, whose work with Led Zeppelin had impressed and signalled the first in a stellar run of collaborations. An album rich in quality, title track 'Lights Out' offers an urgent portrayal of a dystopian London, dripping with "batons charging... The smell of anarchy". The song was inspired by the same thing that led Joe Strummer to write 'White Riot' for the Clash - the Notting Hill Riots of August 1976. Closing out the record is what Iron Maiden's Steve Harris has called his favourite song of all time, 'Love to Love', arguably the album's crowning achievement.