Nazareth is an earthy, and versatile Scottish rock band that had several hard rock hits, as well as scoring with the Felice and Boudleaux Bryant ballad "Love Hurts" in the 1970s.
Nazareth was formed in 1968 in Dunfermline, Scotland, by vocalist Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet. The band moved to London, England in 1970, and released their self-titled debut album in 1971. After getting some attention with their second album Exercises, released in 1972, Nazareth issued Razamanaz in early 1973. This collection spawned two UK Top Ten hits, "Broken Down Angel" and "Bad Bad Boy." This was followed by Loud 'N' Proud in late 1973, which contained another hit single "This Flight Tonight". Then came another album Rampant, in 1974, that was equally successful.
Nazareth's biggest album, Hair Of The Dog, was released in 1975. The title track of that album (popularly, though incorrectly, known as "Now You're Messing with a Son of a Bitch") became became a staple of 1970s rock radio. The ballad from it "Love Hurts" was released in the UK and in the US, where it went platinum. In addition, the track became the band's only US Top Ten hit. Its other claim to fame is that it spent a record breaking 60 weeks on the Norwegian chart.
The musical peak of Nazareth was in the mid 1970s, with the albums: Razamanaz (early 1973), Loud 'N' Proud (late 1973), Rampant (1974) and Hair Of The Dog (1975). The first three of these were produced by Deep Purple bass guitarist Roger Glover, the last being produced by Nazareth guitarist Manny Charlton. All four were hard rock in style, and of a high standard. However, the next album saw a serious change in musical direction. 1976's effort, Close Enough For Rock N Roll was disappointing for those who had appreciated the hard rock style they had become familiar with. Indeed, the band were never to repeat the musical feel of the albums between '73 and '75.