Easy Livin’

Zoo Freaks, your Zoo Crew is spinning the righteous vibes of Easy Livin' by Uriah Heep from their 1972 gem Demons and Wizards, and we’ve got some far-out trivia to share! This track was a game-changer, crashing the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at No. 39, making it the band’s only Top 40 hit in the States. It was a mega-smash in the Netherlands, hitting No. 5, and rocked charts in Germany, Norway, and beyond. Mick Box, the band’s guitarist, once laughed in an interview, saying, “If I had the answer [to why it broke big], I’d write another one tonight!” He noted the song’s universal appeal took them from clubs to stadiums, calling it a piece of music that “took on a life of its own.” Fun fact: the riff inspired Ozzy Osbourne’s Randy Rhoads for Diary of a Madman, and Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt revealed at a 2008 ProgNation concert that the intro to their song Baying of the Hounds was a slowed-down nod to Easy Livin'. It’s also been covered by bands like W.A.S.P. and even got a Czech makeover as Bílý vrány by Synkopy 61 in 1973.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s staying power. Since its debut, Easy Livin' has been a staple in Uriah Heep’s live sets, with a live version fronted by current vocalist Bernie Shaw released in 1988 from Live in Moscow. Fans on Reddit rave about its energy, with one user, SaintedDemon69, sharing how the album pulled them through tough times, calling it a “magnum opus” that deserved more love. The track’s raw, hard-rocking spirit, paired with David Byron’s soaring vocals, made it a perfect fit for the Demons and Wizards album, which hit No. 23 in the U.S. and went gold in Germany. X user @Sherpabaron shared a personal story, noting they covered the song at age 20 for their first solo LP, inspired by the late Ken Hensley’s iconic keyboard work.

Let’s rewind to how Uriah Heep got their start. Formed in London in 1969, the band began as Spice, gigging around town with vocalist David Byron, guitarist Mick Box, and bassist Paul Newton. According to biographer Kirk Blows, they were still Spice in late 1969 when they landed in Lansdowne Studios, but the name Uriah Heep—lifted from Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield character—stuck around Christmas that year, especially timely with Dickens’ centennial buzz. The shift to Uriah Heep was cemented when keyboardist Ken Hensley joined in February 1970, bringing a Vanilla Fudge-inspired organ sound that shaped their heavy, keyboard-driven style. Mick Box recalled, “We’d recorded half the first album when we decided keyboards would be good for our sound.” Their debut, Very ’Eavy…Very ’Umble, dropped in 1970, blending Cream’s heaviness with a prog edge, setting the stage for their rise as pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal alongside Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

By the time Demons and Wizards rolled out in 1972, the “classic” lineup was locked in with drummer Lee Kerslake and bassist Gary Thain, who Mick Box praised for his “melodic bass lines” that bassists worldwide admired. This crew clicked instantly, delivering a focused, gothic-tinged heavy metal sound that won over fans and critics, with Rolling Stone calling the album’s first side “the finest high energy workout of the year.” Over their 50-plus-year career, Uriah Heep has sold over 40 million albums, with hits like Easy Livin' and The Wizard cementing their legacy. They’ve influenced bands from Iron Maiden to Demons & Wizards, the latter named after the album itself.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Uriah Heep on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for the latest tour dates and news. Fans gather at sites like eHeep, a dedicated fan hub with deep dives into their discography, and Uriah Heep Collectors Network for rare merch and vinyl. Join the Uriah Heep Fan Group on Facebook to swap stories and score concert tips with fellow Heep heads. Now, crank up Easy Livin' and let those Zoo Crew vibes roll!