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TALAS To Play Live Shows In 2027 With PHIL NARO’s Son JAMES On Lead Vocals
Bassist Billy Sheehan has confirmed that his 1970s band TALAS will return to the stage in 2027, with the late Phil Naro's son, James, taking over on lead vocals. Sheehan announced the news during a 10 July appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", explaining that James had impressed him with a voice strikingly similar to his father's. The move continues TALAS's sporadic reunion activity since Sheehan reformed the band in 2017, and serves as a tribute to Naro, who died in 2021.
TALAS, formed in upstate New York and known on the Buffalo bar circuit, effectively ended when Sheehan left to join David Lee Roth's band after Roth departed Van Halen. The group reunited decades later to record "1985", released via Metal Blade Records in September 2022, featuring Naro on vocals alongside drummer Mark Miller and guitarist Kire Najdovski; Sheehan said he had already tested James's voice on a couple of songs and was delighted with the result. Naro, who also worked with Peter Criss, Coney Hatch and Lee Aaron over his career, died in May 2021 aged 63 after a battle with tongue cancer. The new shows, featuring the same core lineup with James Naro on vocals, are planned for early 2027.
In short
- TALAS to tour in 2027 with Phil Naro's son James singing
- Billy Sheehan says James's voice closely resembles his late father's
- Move honours Phil Naro, who died in 2021 aged 63
Explained simply
TALAS is a rock band that formed in the 1970s in upstate New York, where it became known on the local Buffalo bar circuit. Bassist Billy Sheehan, the group's most prominent member, reformed TALAS in 2017 after the band had been inactive for several decades.
The band's lead vocalist for many years was Phil Naro, who also performed with several other rock acts throughout his career. Naro died in May 2021 at the age of 63 from tongue cancer.
TALAS's planned return to live performances in 2027 will feature James Naro, Phil's son, as the new lead vocalist for the upcoming shows.