Blackie Lawless

Blackie Lawless (born Steven Edward Duren; September 4, 1956) is an American songwriter and musician best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist (formerly bassist) for the heavy metal band W.A.S.P.

He began his music career playing with bands such as Black Rabbit and Orfax Rainbow. In 1975, after Johnny Thunders left the glam rock band New York Dolls in the middle of a tour of Florida, the band started auditioning for guitarists. He was hired but only stayed for the remainder of the tour.

After the tour, he went to California with bassist Arthur Kane and helped found Killer Kane. At that time, his stage name was "Blackie Goozeman" as stated on the back of Killer Kane's only EP. About a year later, Kane returned to New York City but Lawless decided to stay in West Los Angeles.