=>Beginning History
Ian Stuart Donaldson, formerly of The Rolling Stones cover band Tumbling Dice, formed Skrewdriver after seeing the Sex Pistols in Manchester. Skrewdriver at first had a punk appearance, but they changed their image into a skinhead look in 1977. They also temporarily had a rocker/biker look, around the time they released the EP Built Up Knocked Down. In 1978, Donaldson moved to Salford, where he recruited guitarist Glenn Jones and drummer Martin Smith. This lineup toured extensively, but many venues were reluctant to book the band because of their reputation as a violent skinhead band attracting audience fights.
Performing largely for a skinhead fan-base, the first versions of the band released one album and two singles on the Chiswick label. This version of the band split up in January 1979 after a concert in Warrington, but Donaldson resurrected the name Skrewdriver in 1982 using new musicians. Several past individuals associated with the group, many of them politically left-wing or centrist, have condemned the latter third position incarnation.
=>Band Musicians And More History
As mentioned, Skrewdriver inherited its first line-up from it’s predecessor, the band Tumbling Dice, which Donaldson had formed in 1975. They felt influenced by contemporary hard rock as well as seminal punk contemporaries such as the Ramones and The Clash. They were Ian Stuart Donaldson, Kev McKay, John Grinton and Phil Walmsley. When the band changed from punk to skinhead, Walmsley bowed out and was substituted with skinhead Ron Hartley. The 1977 release All Skrewed Up managed to give the group considerable underground success, and it's been regarded since as an early punk classic. However, by 1978, the band disbanded.
Both moving to Salford’s Cheetham Hill, McKay and Donaldson reformed the band in 1979 with local Manchester talents Glenn Jones and Martin Smith. Skrewdriver became a regular act at the Mayflower club in Belle Vue and toured local gig venues around Greater Manchester. The version of the band was to be short-lived and, after an ill-fated concert in Warrington in 1980, the band fell apart again.
This time, Donaldson left all the others behind and moved on his own down to London. By 1981, Skrewdriver had reformed for the 3rd time, still with Ian Stuart Donaldson of course. The new additions were Mark Neeson, Mark French and Geoff Williams. French and Williams had previously played with The Elite.
It was this line-up that released the 12” EP 'Back With A Bang' on Last Resort Records in 1982. External pressure on the band took its toll, and, by 1984, all three had left the band. Donaldson recruited Mark Sutherland, Adam Douglas, and Murray Holmes. Holmes, an Australian, had previously played with the band Quick And The Dead. Skrewdriver soon released their LP Invasion on the newly-signed West German label Rock-o-Rama Records, which would stay faithful to the band until the tragic end. The line-up was strengthened with Steve Roda coming in the following year.
Touring extensively once again, by 1987 the line-up is described on artwork as Ian Stuart (Donaldson), Mark Sutherland, Martin Cross, Ross McGarry, Merv Shields, and John Burnley who was the brother of No Remorse’s Paul Burnley. Steve Calladine, better known as Stigger, joined Skrewdriver in late 1987. Donaldson also launched a solo career as Ian Stuart with the release of solo material backed by a group known as 'Strikeforce', which essentially was the remaining band. Skrewdriver as a band continued, however, in parallel with Donaldson’s solo career.
In 1990, the sprawling line-up was added to with John Hickson. Over the 80s, the group released a variety of albums, many of them striking a chord with disillusioned British youths unhappy with both Thatcherism and the Labour alternative, much to the alarm of the mainstream press. Skrewdriver concerts were, although planned in advance, highly secretive, and Donaldson faced many attempts on his life. Releases at this time prominently included the albums Boots & Braces, Blood & Honour, and Hail The New Dawn.
On the 24th of September 1993, Ian Stuart Donaldson died from the injuries sustained in a car-crash the previous evening and with him the band Skrewdriver ceased. Although subject to a large variety of conspiracy theories, most fans have agreed that the death was a surprising, sudden accident. Since then, countless benefit and remembrance gigs has been played in his and the band’s honour, with virtually every rock against communism band worth their salt, producing a Skrewdriver cover.
=>Labels
During their 17-year career, Skrewdriver were signed by five labels:
1977 - Chiswick Records
1979 - TJM Manchester
1982 - Last Resort Sounds
1982 - White Noise Records
1984 - Rock-O-Rama Records
(This list does not include compilations and spin-off work)
=>Members List
(Initial Band)
Ian Stuart Donaldson - Vocals & Guitar
Phil Walmsley - Guitar
Ron Hartley - Guitar
Kev McKay - Bass
John "Grinny" Grinton - Drums
(Other Members)
Glenn Jones
Martin Cross
Dave Cording
Bradley Napier
Mark French
Geoff Williams
Mark Neeson
Joseph Smith
Adam Douglas
Merv Shields
Murray Holmes
Dave Wane
Paul Swain
Stiv "Iena" Roda
Stigger
John Burnley
Colin Smith
Mushy
Mike French
Mark Radcliffe
Andrew Skinner
Ford Freemantle
One in a Million
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been around since the struggle began
Saw it all through the worry and pain
Fought hard in every loss and gain
He did it all for his people
He stood and fought against the evil
(chorus)
One in a million, leader of the guard
One in a million, he battled for you
One in a million, his honour is true
'33 was the Order's start
Ten thousand to begin the guard
Clear the streets as the troopers march
Storm columns ready to start now
They marched from tyranny to freedom
The people with the hero there to lead them
(chorus)
instrumental break
(chorus)
Now they're ready to give their all
They can hear their forefathers' call
Death will march at their right hand
Victory will be the black bands'
Marching for a Europe of the people
And at their head their gallant leader
(chorus)
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song One in a Million describe the struggle and fight for freedom led by a fearless man who has been around since the beginning of the struggle. The lyrics portray him as a leader and as a one in a million man, who fought hard for his people against the tyranny and evil. The chorus repeats his accomplishments, as he battled for his people, was the leader of the guard, and his honor was true.
The second verse of the song talks about the Order's start in 1933 and ten thousand soldiers who started the guard. They clear the streets and march towards freedom with the hero leading them along the way. The final verse describes the soldiers who are ready to fight for the cause, and death will march at their right hand. The troops are marching towards a Europe of the people with their leader leading from the front.
Line by Line Meaning
Into battle, a fearless man
A brave man who is willing to fight for a cause he believes in
Been around since the struggle began
He has been there through all the difficult times dating back to the beginning of the cause
Saw it all through the worry and pain
He witnessed and experienced all the hardships and suffering that came with the cause
Fought hard in every loss and gain
He put in maximum effort and showed unwavering commitment to the cause regardless of the outcome
He did it all for his people
His motivation was to fight for the benefit of his community
He stood and fought against the evil
He stood up and took a stand against the wrongdoing and maliciousness
One in a million, he battled so hard
He was an exceptional fighter who put in a lot of effort
One in a million, leader of the guard
A rare leader who led the troops and was well respected
One in a million, he battled for you
He fought for the people, for their best interests
One in a million, his honour is true
He was dignified and honest in his actions and beliefs
'33 was the Order's start
The Order began in 1933
Ten thousand to begin the guard
There were about ten thousand guardsmen at the beginning of the Order
Clear the streets as the troopers march
The streets were emptied to make way for the troopers' procession
Storm columns ready to start now
The troops were prepared to take aggressive action
They marched from tyranny to freedom
They marched from a state of oppression to liberation
The people with the hero there to lead them
The community was accompanied by a heroic leader who guided them
Now they're ready to give their all
The troops were prepared to sacrifice everything
They can hear their forefathers' call
They felt the legacy of their ancestors calling them to fight
Death will march at their right hand
They faced the possibility of death along with the certainty of fighting
Victory will be the black bands'
The black armbands represented death and victory, they would be victorious or it would result in their deaths
Marching for a Europe of the people
The goal was to create a Europe that cared about the ordinary people
And at their head their gallant leader
They were led by a fearless and heroic leader
Contributed by Hailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jamesguy1030
Yeah What a Legend,
Ian Stuart, Like Many young men dreamed of a career in Rock’n’Roll but when he formed Skrewdriver,
A Punk Group Based in North West England, No-One could have predicted the rollercoaster ride that he was about to endure.
With two singles and an album recorded Skrewdriver were heading for the dizzy heights of rock stardom,
But when their concerts became battlegrounds & gained the band a reputation that saw them Banned from London venues,
Disowned by their record label and slaughtered in the mainstream music press, most people would have put it down to experience & shuffled off into a Dystopian day Job.
So it is testament to the resilience of Ian Stuart, That against staggering odds he refused to be defeated.
This Remarkable in-depth story is well documented in the fascinating book called =
“The Ian Stuart - Skrewdriver Biography”
By Paul London.
This book records this historical journey that started as a highly rated punk vocalist mixing with the likes of =
The Sex Pistols,
Sham69,
Bob Geldof,
Siouxsie & The Banshees,
Iggy Pop,
Motörhead,
Sting from the Police,
& Suggs From Chart toppers Madness.
Right the way thru to National Front Demonstrators,
British Movement Marches,
NF paper sales,
Ku Klux Klan Leaders in the U.S,
& Top Skinhead Recruits for the Blood & Honour Organisation That he founded Back in 1987.
The Record Shops refused to sell his albums,
Yet they sold thousands,
His Concerts were starved of any publicity whatsoever,
Yet even his enemies would admit that he could easily fill venues as big as the Royal Albert Hall.
This Remarkable in-depth story traces his early beginnings in Blackpool through to his Murder as a National Socialist & Skinhead Legend in 1993.
Yeah, we’ve all heard about rebellious rock stars,
But this is a Truly unique account of a Rebel with a Cause,
And One Who Lived thru the Pain, Pressure, & Patriotic Pride that was his Life.
So even if you Revile this Rock Movement, it’s ideas, & it’s music,
This is still a very interesting & important piece of Social & Youth Culture History.
i used to go to all those
ROCK AGAINST COMMUNISM
Concerts back in the early 1980’s & i was a Skinhead from 1979.
i remember that he gave a Generation Of White Working Class Youth a Sense Of Pride & Belonging & he Changed my Life for the Better.
as a very young man i remember thinking that he was the only person that had the Bollox to say out Loud what everyone else was actually thinking.
The New Breed had arrived.
Rest in Peace
Ian Stuart Donaldson
We will Carry on & Hail Victory !
@billycollins6859
Forever in our hearts and minds ! R.I.P IAN STUART
@garyrobson2966
Amen R.I.P
@matthewbritton4149
What a real genius IAN STUART DONALDSON R.I.P.FELLA💯⚘️🌹🌷🙏🕊😪🇬🇧🏴🏴🏴🤝
@jamesguy1030
Yeah What a Legend,
Ian Stuart, Like Many young men dreamed of a career in Rock’n’Roll but when he formed Skrewdriver,
A Punk Group Based in North West England, No-One could have predicted the rollercoaster ride that he was about to endure.
With two singles and an album recorded Skrewdriver were heading for the dizzy heights of rock stardom,
But when their concerts became battlegrounds & gained the band a reputation that saw them Banned from London venues,
Disowned by their record label and slaughtered in the mainstream music press, most people would have put it down to experience & shuffled off into a Dystopian day Job.
So it is testament to the resilience of Ian Stuart, That against staggering odds he refused to be defeated.
This Remarkable in-depth story is well documented in the fascinating book called =
“The Ian Stuart - Skrewdriver Biography”
By Paul London.
This book records this historical journey that started as a highly rated punk vocalist mixing with the likes of =
The Sex Pistols,
Sham69,
Bob Geldof,
Siouxsie & The Banshees,
Iggy Pop,
Motörhead,
Sting from the Police,
& Suggs From Chart toppers Madness.
Right the way thru to National Front Demonstrators,
British Movement Marches,
NF paper sales,
Ku Klux Klan Leaders in the U.S,
& Top Skinhead Recruits for the Blood & Honour Organisation That he founded Back in 1987.
The Record Shops refused to sell his albums,
Yet they sold thousands,
His Concerts were starved of any publicity whatsoever,
Yet even his enemies would admit that he could easily fill venues as big as the Royal Albert Hall.
This Remarkable in-depth story traces his early beginnings in Blackpool through to his Murder as a National Socialist & Skinhead Legend in 1993.
Yeah, we’ve all heard about rebellious rock stars,
But this is a Truly unique account of a Rebel with a Cause,
And One Who Lived thru the Pain, Pressure, & Patriotic Pride that was his Life.
So even if you Revile this Rock Movement, it’s ideas, & it’s music,
This is still a very interesting & important piece of Social & Youth Culture History.
i used to go to all those
ROCK AGAINST COMMUNISM
Concerts back in the early 1980’s & i was a Skinhead from 1979.
i remember that he gave a Generation Of White Working Class Youth a Sense Of Pride & Belonging & he Changed my Life for the Better.
as a very young man i remember thinking that he was the only person that had the Bollox to say out Loud what everyone else was actually thinking.
The New Breed had arrived.
Rest in Peace
Ian Stuart Donaldson
We will Carry on & Hail Victory !
@rouker1
Now the white man is the underdog in his own country……..
@captaincarter1313
100% spot on
@TomTommy-bu7gl
@jamesguy1030 mate you are a lot older than me but I think we got the same emotions by listening to those masterpieces I'm a "skin" in my early twenties today and I salute to you and Ian (R.I.P)
For those kind of eloquence
An OI! From Germany to you Ian and my respect to you jamesguy1030 !!!
@88darrenr
@@TomTommy-bu7gl28 forever ✊🏻German , British Friendship ⚡️⚡️
@justinadams1968
@@TomTommy-bu7gl HAILS USA
@PaulSmith-cp3mk
Ian Stuart rip