Lone Justice
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The album cover for Lone Justice's self-titled debut, released in 1985. From L-R: Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni, and Don Heffington |
Lone Justice was an
American rock band formed in
1982 by guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer
Maria McKee (half-sister of
Love's
Bryan MacLean).
One of the more promising bands of the L.A. rockabilly scene of the 1980's, Lone Justice was inspired by Hedgecock and McKee's mutual affection for
rockabilly and
country music. Initially a strict cover band, the additions of veteran bassist Marvin Etzioni and Don Heffington, a former drummer in
Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, prompted them to compose their own material.
Soon, Lone Justice became a popular attraction and a local favorite. With the help of
Linda Ronstadt, they were signed to Geffen Records and were soon hyped as the next-big-thing.
Their self-titled debut appeared in 1985, followed by a tour in support of U2. Still, despite good press and media hype (Jimmy Guterman, then a critic at
Rolling Stone, praised it as one of the best albums ever made),
Lone Justice failed to sell; produced by the band's manager,
Jimmy Iovine, it failed to connect with either country or rock audiences. Even with catchy singles like "Sweet, Sweet Baby" and "Ways To Be Wicked" (written by
Tom Petty), the album didn't meet commercial expectations. Regardless, the
Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for 1985 ranked it at #24, right behind
Up On The Sun by the Meat Puppets and just ahead of
Psychocandy by the Jesus and Mary Chain.
In the record's wake, Hedgecock, Etzioni, and Heffington all exited the band, leaving McKee to lead Lone Justice alone. After enlisting guitarist Shane Fontayne, bassist Greg Sutton, drummer Rudy Richman, and keyboardist Bruce Brody, Lone Justice recorded their second LP,
Shelter;
Steve Van Zandt (aka Little Steven), formerly of
Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band (which he would later rejoin) was tapped as the producer. A blatant attempt at commercial success, it did not sell well despite a few catchy tracks like "I Found Love," "Wheels," "Dixie Storms," and the title track.
Shortly after that record's release, McKee broke up the band for good and went on to a solo career. Heffington became a successful session drummer, while Etzioni recorded under the guise Marvin the Mandolin Man. After a decade removed from the music industry, Hedgecock returned in 1996 as half of the duo Parlor James. A posthumous Lone Justice retrospective,
This World Is Not My Home, followed in early 1999, including a handful of excellent, early demo recordings that many consider to be representative of their full potential.
A brief, budget compilation was issued in 2003 as part of Universal Music's
20th Century Masters series.
Lone Justice (1985)
Shelter (1986)
BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1993)
This World Is Not My Home (1998)
