Good luck to them on the new album. If they can take it slow, hopefully, it will be a nice bookend on a long career.

Here's to a sunuvabitch.

That means John and I got to see one of his last shows. It was the first-ever Nazareth concert for me, as well.

Wishing him good health.

Nazareth headlined the first concert I ever saw. April Wine was the opening band.

Glad I saw him in decent shape that night.

They have been around a long, long time. John and Jimbo got me beat here. Never got to see them ven though I have many of their reissues on the Salvo label.

Rick A.

Nazareth have named fellow Scot Linton Osborne as the replacement for singer Dan McCafferty, who was forced to retire last year due to ill health.

The veteran outfit are gearing up to hit the road once again, while their final album with McCafferty is due for release later this year.

Naz say in a statement: “Born in Edinburgh and raised near Dunfermline, 41-year-old Linton has been singing and performing professionally for as long as he can remember.

“After extensive auditions, the band was knocked out by Linton’s voice, presence and style. And he’s a thoroughly good guy! His enthusiasm and energy has been a shot in the arm for the band – a real boost after the sense of loss and sadness at the sudden retirement of our dear friend and brother Dan.”

McCafferty has given his blessing to Osborne’s appointment, with the singers sharing an interest in Little Richard and early-era rock’n'roll.

Naz have begun rehearsals for their first shows with their latest lineup, featuring sole remaining original member Pete Agnew on bass, his son Lee on drums and guitarist Jimmy Murrison.

I'd still go see them, but man...

Hope Dan McCafferty regains his health for his retirement years. What an excellent vocalist he was.
I have many comps and albums from these guys so Thanks for the years in rock'in me.

Rick A.

Nazareth singer Linton Osborne has left the band, saying “it didn’t work out.”

He was confirmed as replacement for original frontman Dan McCafferty last year, after health issues forced the veteran to retire.

Osborne had performed a number of live shows with Naz during 2014, but some concerts were cancelled at the end of the year after he contracted a throat infection. Last week they announced their winter UK tour had also been postponed, with bandleader Pete Agnew reporting: “Although Linton is showing a slight improvement, his voice is in no condition to perform satisfactorily at this time.”

Now Osborne says via Facebook: “I am no longer a member of Nazareth. It didn't work out, for me, or for the band. I'd like to thank Pete, Jimmy Murrison and Lee Agnew for the opportunity. I'd also like to thank Dan for his support and encouragement. Most of all, I'd like to thank the fans – you guys are something else, and because of you it has all been worthwhile.”

He adds: “I hope to see you all again in the future at one of my own gigs. I'd also like to wish my successor all the best and Nazareth a fantastic 2015 and beyond.”

In a recent interview with Classic Rock’s Dave Ling, Pete Agnew said: “The fans have accepted Linton better than I expected. He’s settling in well – and considering who he’s following I’d give him a VG+.”

Agnew became the sole remaining founder member when McCafferty announced his decision to leave in 2013. He’d suffered increase issues with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which led to two incidents of him collapsing on stage.

The crunch came after an attack of COPD forced him to stop a Swiss festival set after three songs. He later told TeamRock: "When I came off stage I said to the boys: 'I can't keep doing this to the band.' I can't embarrass the boys and the fans. If you can't do the job you shouldn't be there – Nazareth's too big for that."

McCafferty’s last album with Naz, Rock’n’Roll Telephone, was released last year. He recently collaborated on a song with Scots-American artist Stevie Agnew, after pointing out that studio performances remain possible although live sets are out of the question.

An intimate London show recorded with Osborne in November is scheduled for release on DVD in March.

Nazareth have moved quickly to bring in a new frontman in the wake of Linton Osborne's departure.

The veteran Scottish rockers have snapped up Persian Risk singer Carl Sentance to take over vocal duties, after being blown away by his first audition.

Bass player Pete Agnew says: "We take great pleasure introducing to you our new singer, Carl Sentance. We had been looking at Carl from afar for some time and very much liked what we saw, so we asked him to come up and sing a couple of songs with us in the studio.

"He came in on Tuesday and completely blew us away in the space of half a song. He was offered and accepted the job right there and then.

"As you can imagine, we are dying to get started with rehearsals but it’s going to have to wait for a bit as Carl has other projects booked for the next few weeks, so it will be April before you get a load of the new Naz.

"Meanwhile we would like to thank all you guys for sending us demos of your singing performances and we wish you all the very best in your future careers – keep on rockin’."

Osborne announced last month that he was leaving the band, saying: "It didn't work out."

He was given the role a year ago after original frontman Dan McCafferty quit over health concerns. Osborne hailed McCafferty at the time for making the transition a smooth one.

Look forward to what the new singer can do for the band.

Rick A.