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Artist: Prism
Title: "Armageddon"
Album: Armageddon
Released: 1979

From Graceland to Smash Hit: The Story Behind Prism's Rocking Anthem "Armageddon"
by R. Dale Roth 2024-05-05

This video was my first attempt at creating content, crafted in the fall of 2023.
Please forgive my clumsiness & glitches, I promise to get better :-)

I've been a fan of the Canadian rock band Prism my entire life. As a teenager, I used to plug the jukebox in our school's lunch room with quarters & play the song over & over. Later in life, I spun their tunes countless times during my career in radio, had a great conversation back in 2010 with Al Harlow, who now fronts the band, too produce a 1 hour special featuring their "Big Black Sky" album released in 2008 (how I so wish I had the audio for that :-/). I've attended a bunch of shows & even got the chance to hang out with the guys before one of their shows when they rolled through my hometown a few summers ago. It was absolutely awesome to witness an old school autograph signing on ( ͜ₒ ㅅ ͜ ₒ) by Rocket, "even after all these years it never gets old" laughed Al.

Canadian rock fans, get ready for a deep dive into the incredible story behind Prism's iconic song "Armageddon." This double-platinum smash hit wasn't born out of thin air – it emerged from a wild mix of rock and roll ambition, a touch of chaos, and a truly unforgettable experience in Memphis.

Prism wasn't your typical overnight success story. Formed from the ashes of two Vancouver rock groups, Seeds of Time and Sunshyne, they honed their chops in the city's club scene. Their big break came with the song "Open Soul Surgery," which landed them a record deal with GRT Records.

Their self-titled debut album was a hit machine, churning out anthems like "Spaceship Superstar" and "It's Over."
Here's a fun fact: songwriter Jim Vallance, a key part of Prism's early success, actually used the pseudonym "Rodney Higgs" to keep his rockstar persona hidden from his university classmates!

The inspiration for the album's title track, "Armageddon," came from a truly unique experience.

During a concert in Memphis on the first anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, the band found themselves in a helicopter overlooking a chaotic scene. With the National Guard on crowd control duty and fans swarming Graceland, the view from above was nothing short of apocalyptic. It was this experience that sparked the concept for "Armageddon."

"Armageddon" wasn't just inspired by a wild scene – it was a full-fledged rock anthem. The album also featured songwriting contributions from a young Bryan Adams, who was just starting his own incredible musical journey. Impressed by his talent, Prism's manager, Bruce Allen, wasted no time in signing him!

"Armageddon" became a monster hit, selling over a million copies worldwide after Capitol Records signed the band. Their single "Night to Remember" even won Song of the Year in Canada. Prism's live shows were legendary too, with the band sharing stages with rock royalty like Meat Loaf and The Beach Boys.

Despite their meteoric rise, internal conflicts within the band led to the departure of vocalist Ron Tabak and manager Bruce Allen. New members joined, but fans struggled to embrace the changes, especially when it came to replacing Tabak's iconic voice.

Just as the band planned a reunion, tragedy struck. Vocalist Ron Tabak died in a cycling accident. The band mourned for years before finally regrouping with a new singer in 1988. Their song "Good to Be Back," co-written by Bryan Adams, served as a heartfelt tribute to Tabak.

Prism's story may not be one of a band that stayed at the top forever, but their impact on Canadian music is undeniable. They not only delivered iconic rock anthems but also launched the careers of superstar Bryan Adams, songwriting giant Jim Vallance and legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn.

Their incredible catalog of hit songs still bring crowds to their feet, and continue to enjoy regular rotation on classic rock & adult contemporary playlists from coast to coast to coast.

To learn more about this Gr8 Canadian band visit www.Prism.ca.

The term #armageddon ☢️🚀💣☠☣💥⚛️seems to be on the hearts & minds of every human👥non-human👽 animal🐾 plant🍃 & insect🐞 here on Earth🌍 ~ maybe if we rethink the meaning of the word ?