Nantucket

Nantucket is a Southern rock band formed in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1969. Originally known as a Beach music band named Stax of Gold, and later Nantucket Sleighride (after the song and album by Mountain), the six-member group—Tommy Redd, Larry Uzzell, Mike Uzzell, Eddie Blair, Kenny Soule, and Mark Downing—first became successful in their home state of North Carolina as a cover band. Background The band signed with Epic Records in 1977 and, the following year, released its self-titled album, which featured the single "Heartbreaker." A cross-country tour followed, with Nantucket opening for KISS, Styx, Boston, Mother's Finest, Journey, and The Doobie Brothers. The album sold approximately 200,000 copies and also appeared on the Billboard charts. In 1979, Nantucket followed up with Your Face or Mine?. Mike Uzzell was dismissed from the band by the third album, with Pee Wee Watson replacing him on bass guitar. As a tribute to AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott, who died in 1980, Nantucket's Long Way to the Top included a version of the 1975 classic "It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)". The move landed the band a spot with AC/DC on its Back in Black tour for the entire summer. Even though Nantucket found some success, Epic Records eventually dropped the band. Drummer Kenny Soule and bassist Pee Wee Watson left in 1981, joining guitarist Michael Gardner to form rock trio PKM. They were replaced by Richard Gates and David "Thumbs" Johnson for Nantucket's fourth album. Following the band's last two studio albums, which were produced in 1983 and 1985, the group disbanded in 1990.