Shot in the Dark -

Shot in the Dark was an English-American melodic-rock band that made a 1981 self-titled album on RSO. They backed Al Stewart on his 1980 release 24 Carrots. Scottish signer Krysia Kristianne hailed from the early ’70s folk-rock trio the Natural Acoustic Band and recorded a 1974 solo album as Krysia Kocjan. Bassist Robin Lamble recorded three 1972–74 albums with rustic-rockers Byzantium. Guitarist Peter White later worked with Basia, Luba, and the Rippingtons.

Members: Krysia Kristianne [Krysia Kocjan] (lead vocals, keyboards), Robin Lamble (bass, acoustic guitar, vocals), Peter White (guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals), Bryan Savage (saxophone), Adam Yurman (guitar, vocals)

Background

Shot in the Dark formed in Los Angeles in 1978 when keyboardist–guitarist Peter White, bassist–vocalist Robin Lamble, and singer–keyboardist Krysia Kristianne expanded an Al Stewart touring partnership with guitarist Adam Yurman and saxophonist–flutist Bryan Savage. White, Lamble, and Kristianne already shared stage and studio credits through the Stewart organization.

White was born in Luton, England, and grew up in Letchworth Garden City, where he learned guitar alongside recorder, piano, and clarinet. He played his first professional engagement at a Cornwall holiday resort in 1974 and briefly joined Principal Edwards’ Magic Theatre, where a recommendation led to Stewart, who hired White for a 1975 transatlantic tour and the subsequent sessions for Year of the Cat. White moved to Los Angeles in 1978 as Stewart completed Time Passages.

Lamble came from the University College School music circle in Hampstead and joined the musicians who formed Byzantium, which cut the 1972/73 A&M albums Byzantium and Seasons Changing and a subsequent self-issued demos set. Lamble joined Stewart for Time Passages and the corresponding tour.

Kristianne was born Krysia Kocjan in Craigendoran, Scotland, and emerged in the Natural Acoustic Band, which cut the 1972/73 RCA albums Learning to Live and Branching In. Stewart first enlisted Kocjan as a backing vocalist on Past, Present and Future. RCA issued her 1974 solo album Krysia. As the opening act on the Year of the Cat tour, she formed a writing partnership with White and Lamble.

Yurman played Denver clubs and studio sessions for several years, then moved to Los Angeles and joined Shot in the Dark through a 1978 audition. Savage grew up in Missouri and majored in business while playing college bands. He moved to Aspen, Colorado, and joined Starwood, a rustic-rock act signed to Columbia. White caught Starwood at an Aspen club and brought Savage onto the Time Passages tour.

By 1980, Shot in the Dark served as both Stewart’s opening act and backing band. They played on his 1980 album 24 Carrots, which included four Stewart–White compositions, while the band also developed a separate repertoire. Stewart and Chris Desmond produced the self-titled Shot in the Dark album in parallel with the 24 Carrots project at Davlen Sound Studios and Evergreen Studios in Los Angeles. RSO signed the group and placed the completed album on the label schedule for a 1981 release.

Discography: