Britny Fox: The Philadelphia Glam Metal Outfit

Britny Fox is an American glam metal band that emerged from Philadelphia in the late 1980s. The group achieved notable success with their self-titled debut album, which was certified Gold by the RIAA and spawned several hit singles on rock radio.

Early career

Britny Fox formed in 1986 from the ashes of the local band Cinderella. Guitarist Michael Kelly Smith, having just left Cinderella, teamed up with vocalist "Dizzy" Dean Davidson, bassist Billy Childs, and drummer Johnny Dee. The band quickly developed a high-energy, blues-tinged hard rock sound and signed a deal with Columbia Records in 1987.

Breakthrough

The band's self-titled debut album, Britny Fox, was released in 1988. Fueled by constant touring and heavy rotation on MTV, the album climbed the charts and was eventually certified Gold for sales exceeding 500,000 copies. This success firmly established them as part of the thriving glam and sleaze metal scene.

Key tracks

Long Way to Love — This driving anthem was the band's biggest hit, receiving massive airplay on rock radio and becoming a staple of their live set.

Girlschool — The album's lead single introduced the band's signature twin-guitar attack and Davidson's distinctive raspy vocals to a national audience.

Save the Weak — A slower, more melodic track that showcased the band's songwriting depth beyond party anthems.

In Motion — A key track from their second album, Boys in Heat, demonstrating a slightly heavier and more aggressive musical direction.

Their 1989 follow-up, Boys in Heat, saw the band aiming for a rawer, heavier sound. While it did not match the commercial peak of their debut, it produced the rock radio track "Dream On" and solidified their dedicated fan base. Internal tensions led to a major lineup change before their third album, with vocalist Tommy Paris replacing Dean Davidson for 1991's Bite Down Hard.

The shifting musical landscape of the early 1990s impacted the band's trajectory. After a period of hiatus, various reunions with original and later members have occurred over the decades. The classic Britny Fox lineup has performed sporadically, allowing both longtime fans and new listeners to experience their brand of Philadelphia hard rock.

Fans of Britny Fox often appreciate the work of similar American glam and hard rock acts. Cinderella shares a direct member lineage and a blues-rock foundation. Warrant operated in the same chart territory with catchy, anthemic hooks. Skid Row delivered a similarly energetic but grittier take on the late-80s hard rock formula. Dangerous Toys also blended Southern rock swagger with glam metal energy during the same era.

The music of Britny Fox maintains a steady presence on classic rock FM stations and dedicated hair metal radio streams. Their biggest hits are regularly featured in blocks celebrating the peak era of 1980s American hard rock, ensuring their songs continue to reach enthusiastic audiences.

You can hear the classic glam metal sound of Britny Fox on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their hits and deep cuts as part of our curated rock radio programming.