Kings of the Sun
Australian hard rock since 1986 · Founded by Clifford Hoad
“Full blooded, down to earth, bluesy rock n’ roll that no U.S. band has been able to deliver in living memory!”
Shared the stage with KISS · Guns N’ Roses · Iron Maiden · Joe Satriani · Sammy Hagar · INXS | Produced by Eddie Kramer · Managed by Freddy DeMann
The story
From a Gold Coast power trio to RCA in New York
Clifford Hoad was 14 when he first played in Liquid Space, a Gold Coast power trio that cut its teeth on Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Status Quo. In Sydney he formed the Young Lions with his brother Jeffrey and Bob Spencer, the band that became Kings of the Sun.
Signed to RCA, the Hoad brothers moved to New York, recorded their debut with Eddie Kramer at Bearsville in Woodstock, and were managed by Freddy DeMann, who looked after Madonna and Michael Jackson at the same time. Then came the road: KISS in Europe, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Joe Satriani and Sammy Hagar.
“This is about the time I decided to be a drummer. I can tell by the look in my eyes.”Read the full biography
Clifford Hoad, aged 10
Full Frontal Attack, 1990. “Drop the Gun” hit No. 30 on Billboard.
The albumRock royalty
The stories behind the photos
Gene Simmons on my drums
KISS Crazy Nights tour of Europe, 1988.
Woodstock with Eddie Kramer
Recording the debut album with the man behind Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.
Bel Air with Freddy DeMann
Our manager, and Madonna and Michael Jackson’s too.
The behind-the-back shot
Borrowed from Uncle Lew Hoad’s Wimbledon trick shot.
In Clifford’s words
Tales from the road
Steven Tyler and the cowbell
Backstage with Aerosmith in Sydney, and the Drop the Gun drum fill Steven Tyler called the funkiest he’d ever heard.
Read the story
Serpentine: voodoo in the Louisiana Delta
The swamp, the ’68 Roadrunner, Eddie Kramer in Woodstock and the Ferraris that never were.
Read the storyThe discography
Full discography
Kings of the Sun
Resurrection
Bombs Away
The Rich & Famous
Like a Superstar
Stand Back… Prepare to be Amazed!!!
Daddy Was a Hobo Man!!
Airborn Love Spirits
Rock Til Ya Die
Razed on Rock
Playin’ to the Heavens
Built for Speed: Resurrection Demo Sessions
The documentary
Playing to the Heavens
In 2024 Clifford faced the fight of his life, and he came back swinging. This is that story, named after his album Playin’ to the Heavens.
The full film premieres on YouTube. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.
Subscribe on YouTubeFrom the archives
See more classic photos on Facebook
Clifford today
From the kit to the drawing board
A Gold Coast skater from way back, Clifford Hoad, known as TOAD, has been drawing since he was a kid, and art has always been his other great passion. Now he pours all of that passion straight onto T-shirts and clothing through SO LOCAL, his very own surf, skate and streetwear label, run with his family. Every design is a TOAD original, hand-drawn by Clifford himself.
Kings forever
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