Eela Craig was an Austrian rock band of the 1970s and 80s that combined progressive rock with Jazz and classical music influences as well as Christian lyrics. The band's name is without known meaning.
The band was founded in Linz in 1970 and recorded its first album entitled Eela Craig in 1971 with a circulation of 1500. Critics compared this album with established bands such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, Gentle Giant and Colosseum. The band had a few onstage performances with the Zürich Chamber Orchestra in 1972, which led to more performances in well known opera houses of Italy, Germany and Austria, very uncommon venues for a rock band at the time.
The band signed a contract with Vertigo Records in 1975 to release a number of singles and albums, including the Christian concept album Missa Universalis and a signature ethereal style cover version of Chris de Burgh's A Spaceman Came Travelling, both released in 1978.
Missa Universalis was a musical translation of a (Catholic) high mass, which embraced lyrics in Latin, German, English and French languages. The compositions resembled the works of Anton Bruckner, mixed with elements of rock and electronic music. The premiere was performed at the Brucknerfest of the city of Linz and received positive acceptance.
The band was largely inactive between 1982 and 1986, but the two founding members produced solo music under the Bognermayr/Zuschrader name with Bognermayr's own New Age label Erdenklang. 1987 saw the release of three singles, which were targeted to match the contemporary Pop Music style. Eela Craig released their last album Hit or Miss in 1987.
On 17 November, 1995, the band reunited for a one-time live performance in Linz. At the same time, Hubert Bognermayr published a compilation of the band's music entitled Symphonic Rock.
For their studio please use: undefined
2024
MIG
CD, Album, RE, RM + CD, Comp, RM + CD, Album, RE,
2011
WIM
DVD-V
1995
1988
MCP Records (2)
7", Single
1988
1987
Johnny
7", Single
1987
Johnny
7", Single
1987
Johnny
7"
1981
Ariola, Ariola
7", Single
1980
Ariola, Ariola
7"
1980
1978
Vertigo
7", Single
1978
1978
1976
1974
Not On Label (Eela Craig Self-released)
7"
1971
1989
ORF Studio Oberösterreich
CD, Album
2020
Garden Of Delights
CD, Comp, Ltd, Num, Promo
2009
Universal, Amadeo
2xCD, Comp
1997
Penner Records
CD, Comp, Ltd, Num, Promo
1995
Motionmania Music
CD, Comp
1987
Johnny
LP, Comp
1979
Phonogram
LP, Comp
1978
Jem Records, Inc.
LP, Promo, Smplr
1978
Philips
LP, Comp, S/Edition
1976
Jem Records
LP, Comp, Promo, Smplr
2024
2024
2024
2024
2010