Biography
Ya Ya (originally known as "The Lea Hart Band") was founded by the original bands namesake, who had previously been the frontman for "The Roll Ups" in the United Kingdom.
As a solo artist previous to that, Hart had supported Judas Priest on their 1978 British tour. Ya Ya, feautred guitarist Ray Callcut, as well as ex-Panache members, Terry Stevens and Graham Garrett, on bass and drums respectively.
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This band was formed out of The Lea Hart Band, which opted for a name change following a tour of India and the far east. The band signed to North American label Scotti Bros. The debut featured session appearances from Joan Jett, Jeff Peters (bass) and also noted keyboard player Nick Coler.
Ya Ya scored a major coup by having three songs included on the film soundtrack to "Revenge Of The Nerds". Another release was the 7" single, "Dont Talk", which was paired as a split release on Scotti Bros. with Revenges "Theyre So Incredible", which was produced by Lea Hart in 1984.
Progress was such that Warner Bros. snapped up the band but not before Hart was fired for apparently "being too Rock n Roll". Hart subsequently formed the short-lived Destroyer in 1988 with ex-Tank guitarist Cliff Evans. After this band, Lea Hart then fronted Fastway before finding a career as a successful producer and manager for Paul DiAnno, as well as other musicians.
A second album did finally emerge, with ex-Samson vocalist Sam Blewitt, but was withdrawn almost immediately and so is very scarce.
Callcut is now a renowned session player as well as being part of the notorious ad hoc live band "Lend Us A Quid" alongside Foreigner and Bad Company bassist Rick Wills, as well as Bad Company guitarist Dave Colwell.
Blewitt, now known as Sam Blue, later fronted Ultravox and appears as guest vocalist on TEN guitarist Vinny Burns 1999 solo album "The Journey".
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