Diamond Head founder Brian Tatler has addressed recent headlines suggesting he has no interest in continuing with the band. He clarified his position in an interview with Paltrocast with Darren Paltrowitz.
The guitarist was asked directly about reports claiming he planned to leave Diamond Head permanently and whether any future involvement was possible.
“I absolutely think that,” Tatler said when asked about potential future involvement. “I haven’t said that I had no interest in Diamond Head.”
He explained how media coverage may have misrepresented his statements.
“But I can imagine you know people look for a big headline,” he continued. “They probably want some juicy headline. So something like that is more interesting than me saying, ‘Yeah, I’m happy to do Diamond Head.’ I mean it’s my baby. I formed the band in 1976, and I have no intention of it ever stopping.”
Tatler went on to explain his current situation with Saxon and his commitment to Diamond Head’s future.
“But this golden opportunity came along two years ago to join Saxon, and I had to take it,” he said. “And everybody wished me well and said it was a no-brainer to do this gig. I’m more than happy doing it, but I didn’t want Diamond Head to stop.”
“We all would like it to continue, but they can also appreciate that I have to do the right thing and I have to look after myself,” he concluded.
The clarification comes as Tatler continues his role with Saxon while maintaining his connection to the band he founded nearly five decades ago.
Wikipedia reported that Diamond Head formed in Stourbridge, West Midlands, in 1976 and became a major part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. The band’s influence extended far beyond their commercial success, particularly through their 1980 debut album Lightning To The Nations, also known as ‘The White Album’.
Louder Sound documented that this debut album proved hugely influential in the metal scene, inspiring legendary bands like Metallica and Megadeth. Both American metal giants have covered Diamond Head’s classic tracks. Metallica performed “Am I Evil?” and “The Prince” during their early career, helping to introduce Diamond Head’s music to a wider international audience.
Diamond Head never achieved the commercial success of peers like Iron Maiden or Def Leppard. However, their legacy remains significant in the heavy metal community. Metal Storm noted that the band has continued to tour and release music over the years, including a successful European tour supporting Megadeth in 2005 that attracted both long-standing and younger fans alike.
The band’s enduring influence demonstrates why Tatler remains protective of Diamond Head’s future, even while pursuing new opportunities with Saxon. His dual commitment reflects both his business acumen and his dedication to preserving the musical legacy he created nearly five decades ago.
