Kelly designer passes away.

[stephenslr]

Taken from the LORD forum:

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238989

I'm not sure whether anyone's aware and apologies if it's old news. We have been after some info regarding the movements of Bradford Kelly guitarist for Heaven for some years and today I had a call from someone informing us of Bradford's passing away a couple of years ago.

The thing is, the guy who had the sad news to pass on once played with Brad and he nor any of the former bandmates he knew were aware of Brad's death until a few days ago.

Brad had disappeared from the scene and most everything for some time even to the extent of some former friends trying to track him down with newspaper ads to no avail. Turns out he had been spotted a few years back at some of the jams at The Empire in Annandale or so I'm told.

Is sad news after looking for him for some time to find this out. We'd heard bits and pieces over the past couple years about Brad and his health was often the subject of comments. He'd been ill for some time from all accounts.

We are putting together a Where Are They Now and look back at Heaven for an upcoming issue of our newsletter with the assistance of a fellow founder of the group and look forward to reminiscing.

So, belatedly, RIP Bradford Kelly

For guitar fans, in case you weren't aware, the Jackson Kelly was Bradford's design, handed to Grover Jackson in much the same way as Randy had him build his V. Bradford never earnt a cent from that. But not a bad legacy to have, the guitar is still in production to this day.

[jackson1]

The Kelly/Jackson relationship sure hasn't received much attention compared to the Rhoads/Jackson relationship.

Looking up Bradford Kelly on google gives almost nothing on the guy.

[pagemalicious]

that's a real shame. Must of been a huge shock to those that were looking for him. RIP

[shreddermon]

Sad news. RIP BK.

Honestly, the Kelly is probably my favorite Jackson "pointy" body style. I sent a custom Kelly order in just a few weeks ago, actually. That body is a great design.

[VitaminG]

very sad. I wonder what his circumstances were before he died

[bluesymetal]

That's sad to hear. I honestly never new who Kelly was, but he designed a hell of a guitar. What is Heaven a stryper type christian metal band or something? I'm sure the dude could shred.

[hunter1970]

I saw Heaven open up for Motley Crue and Whitesnake(with John Sykes) in the 80's ,I think it was 84 or 85 but they did a killer version of "Knocking on heaven's door" way before anyone else did.

[Accept2]

If they were doing that cover, Kelly wouldnt have been in the band at the time. Around 1984 all the members left except for Allen Fryer and a new band was put together for one last album. Kelly's place was taken by Mitch Perry. They didnt really do much. The first 2 albums, which feature Kelly, are the ones to get..............

[NextInLine]

Sad news, kelly is my favorite body shape also. RIP...

[Svart]

Rip Bk

[stephenslr]

What is Heaven a Stryper type christian Metal band or something?

No they were and Australian Rock/Metal band of the 80's.

In the 80's Heaven left Australia and toured with Judas Priest, AC/DC, Motley Crue, etc.

When Bon Scott died the singer of Heaven passed up the offer to sing for AC/DC as he expected Heaven to be just as big but things didn't turn out as planned.

s

[Sanctuary]

Rip

[VitaminG]

No they were and Australian Rock/Metal band of the 80's.

In the 80's Heaven left Australia and toured with Judas Priest, AC/DC, Motley Crue, etc.

When Bon Scott died the singer of Heaven passed up the offer to sing for AC/DC as he expected Heaven to be just as big but things didn't turn out as planned.

s

I didn't even know of Heaven's existence until about '86 when I bought a Hit Parader and there was an article on Mitch Perry, with some cool pics of his blue & white Guild Bladerunner. He spoke of his childhood, and I assumed from the article that they were an American band. It wasn't until much later I found out Heaven started out in Australia

[Carbophos]

Rip

[bluesymetal]

No they were and Australian Rock/Metal band of the 80's.

In the 80's Heaven left Australia and toured with Judas Priest, AC/DC, Motley Crue, etc.

When Bon Scott died the singer of Heaven passed up the offer to sing for AC/DC as he expected Heaven to be just as big but things didn't turn out as planned.

s

cool I'll try to check them out.