1970s
By the mid-seventies, Sean Wright already had a substantial clutch of original songs written. Many were recorded on lo-fi 4 track analogue machines and released as solo albums on cassette, which he began selling at gigs and trading with other musicians and music fans. As well as solo projects he also formed bands with Dave Maile, such as Before Our Time, Blackwater, Beth, Straight Ace, and Hollywood Wires. Before Our Time comprised Wright, Maile and Mark DeVanche (aka Booty), who went on to sign to major record labels as keyboard player with Wildlife and Partners In Crime (managed by Adam Faith and signed toLed Zeppelin's Peter Grant label Swan Song). Blackwater featured Wright, Maile, Pete Savage and Nick Clarke (Clarke went on to work with many top names in the music industry as a sound enginner/tech, including Phil Collins, Robbie Williams and Bryan Adams).
1977-1978 Hollywood Wires
Left to right - Dave Maile, drums; Alan Jones, Lead guitar; Sean "Ricci" Wright, lead vocals & guitar; Brian Harris, bass guitar.
In the mid-1980s, Alan Jones went on to become A&R director at Rondor Music, London, representing Duran Duran, Dire Straights, The Police, amongst many others and discovered Bryan Adams. Find out more about HOLLYWOOD WIRES and listen to their music.
1978
Sean Wright - Strange Situation c/w Silent Dreams (Vinyl, 7", Limited Edition, 45 RPM) EJSP 8624 Ellie Jay Records, London. Released in November, 1978. Recorded at Spaceward Studio, Cambridge, 30th September 1978 - three months prior to Iron Maiden's debut recording session at Spaceward. Strange Situation/Silent Dreams were produced by Mike Kemp and Sean Wright. Written by Sean Wright. All instruments and vocals by Sean Wright. Drums - Dave Maile.
Max Bell, writing in the NME, said of Strange Situation/Silent Dreams: "Wright is an enigma worth popularising. His A side offering comes replete with straight ahead, hard rock vocal punch, and well-played instrumental expertise."
Re-releases
In 2017, Wright re-released some of his 1970s music on Amazon in CD format. "1970s - Volumes 1, 2 & 3" were released comprises his first 5 cassette albums, plus the 1978 45 rpm single "Strange Situation" and "Silent Dreams."
Tour press cuttings from "Sounds" music paper 1978 featuring HOLLYWOOD WIRES.
Heavy metal band - IRON FORGE (1979) were Sean Wright (Lead vocals/guitar), Les Strange (Guitar & Backing Vox), Tommy Smith (drums & backing vox)) & Paul McVoy (bass guitar, synth, and backing vox). The band recorded 10 songs at Spaceward Studios, Cambridge during the summer of 1979. A four-song EP was released on 21st September 1979 - Under Attack, Beast In The Cage, Angels Fighting Demons, and Iron Forge - Cradle to the Grave. This was followed by the self-titled, 10 song album Iron Forge. Released 31st October, 1979. (Left - cover art for the EP Under Attack). The band returned to Spaceward Studios in early 1980 to record their 2nd and final album. Listen to their songs here.