Nazareth stands as one of the most enduring and influential hard rock bands to emerge from Scotland in the early 1970s, blending raw blues-infused riffs with soulful vocals that captured the gritty spirit of working-class rock 'n' roll. Led by the unmistakable raspy voice of Dan McCafferty, their sound evolved from pub-rock roots into arena-filling anthems, most notably with the timeless ballad "Love Hurts," which transformed a 1960 Everly Brothers tune into a global powerhouse hit that topped charts in multiple countries and remains a staple of classic rock radio. Their albums like Hair of the Dog (1975) delivered unrelenting energy through tracks such as the title song - forever immortalized as "Heir of the Dog" in misheard lyrics lore - and "Hair of the Dog (Now You're Messin' with a Son of a Bitch)," showcasing a fearless attitude and musical prowess that influenced generations of rockers from Guns N' Roses to Metallica.
Beyond their commercial peaks, Nazareth's longevity is a testament to their resilience and authenticity, having released over two dozen studio albums across five decades while maintaining a fierce live reputation that earned them opening slots for legends like Deep Purple and Queen. They continue to tour and record into the 2020s with original guitarist Manny Charlton’s legacy carried forward by newer members, proving that true rock grit doesn't fade with time.
Here are some interesting facts about Nazareth:
- The band hails from Dunfermline, Scotland, and originally formed in 1968 as The Shadettes before renaming after the biblical town mentioned in The Band's song "The Weight."
- "Love Hurts" was not written by Nazareth but became their signature hit, reaching No. 1 in six countries in 1976 and selling over a million copies in Canada alone.
- Their 1975 album Hair of the Dog was retitled Son of a Bitch in some censored markets due to the explicit lyrics in the title track.
- Dan McCafferty retired from touring in 2013 due to COPD but continued recording vocals until 2022; he passed away that year at age 76, leaving a void filled by current singer Carl Sentance.
- Nazareth has sold over 20 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Scottish Music Hall of Fame in 2019.