Original Grim Reaper Members to Play for the First Time Together in 30 Years for Steve Grimmett Tribute
Steve Grimmett, the iconic vocalist of UK heavy metal band Grim Reaper, will be commemorated with a one-day tribute festival later this month. Called “Wings Of Angels,” the fest will see the band’s original members play together for the first time in 30 years.
The festival name comes from one of the band’s 2018 singles “Walking in the Shadows.” It was among some of the last songs of Grimmett’s career, who passed away in 2022. Technically, the track is recorded under the band name “Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper,” since there were some legal issues that took place after the original band separated in 1988. Either way, it’s all for Steve in the end.
Since Grimmett’s passing, fans have been fiending for some way to properly pay homage to the legend, which caused his wife Millie to spring into action. She’s organizing the festival which, along with the Grim Reaper reunion (featuring Jag Panzer’s Harry Conklin on vox), will feature a slew of guests doing their own takes on Grimmett’s vocality. Chris Holmes, former W.A.S.P. guitarist, will be headlining.
Millie Grimmett had this to say of her late husband:
“Steve’s life was heavy metal. He got so much pleasure out of performing onstage, meeting fans and recording music. It’s only right that the Wings Of Angels festival pays tribute to that through a packed line-up of metal acts from near and far. We’re looking forward to a sold-out festival, amazing music and a fitting celebration of Steve’s life.
“Such was Steve’s impact on music that we have had people contact us from around the world to purchase tickets and to join us in Swindon, U.K. for Wings Of Angels. People have been sharing stories and pictures on our social media pages and it is really heartwarming to see this outpouring of affection for someone who did so much to shape the metal scene over several decades.”
The Wings Of Angels festival will take place at Swindon, England’s MECA on Saturday, November 23. You can get your tickets here.