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The first Crown Of Thorns album was stunning. It was originally due to be released by Interscope but with the grunge scene exploding the release kept being put back to the point where the band bought the record from the label and licensed it elsewhere.
The original band was Jean, Mickie, Michael Paige on bass and Tony 'Chic' Thompson on drums. The original six track demo was pressed up as a CD promo for label interest prior to the Interscope deal. The band was co-managed at the time by Gene and Paul.
When the album was eventually released in the UK, through Now And Then, it created a great deal of interest in the band throughout Europe and COT played several dates in the UK. By this point Tony Thompson (RIP) had decided not to pursue his interest, so the debut UK show at the Marquee Club featured Mother's Finest drummer Dion Derek temping. The band then recruited Hawk Lopez.
This touring line-up of the band was absolutely killer. They played in the UK as support to Skin and were then lined up for the Bon Jovi European tour in the Summer of 1995. Sadly, Mickie and Jean had something of a falling out and Mr Free left the group and was replaced by Jean Beauvoir's buddy, Tommy Lafferty, from Voodoo X. They were still a great band and I had a blast with them on tour that Summer, but I always felt that Mickie Free brought a certain cool factor to the band that really complemented Beauvoir's own personality and character.