White Lion's breakthrough second studio album, Pride, was released on June 22, 1987, by Atlantic Records . Known for its melodic glam-metal sound, the album propelled the band to MTV stardom and remains a celebrated milestone of the hair metal era. Album Highlights and Production
Commercial Success: The album peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 and spent a full year on the charts, eventually earning double-platinum status in the US with over 2 million copies sold.
Key Tracks: It produced two top-ten hits: the mid-tempo rocker "Wait" and the iconic acoustic power ballad "When the Children Cry".
Musicianship: The record showcased the virtuosic guitar work of Vito Bratta and the raspy, earnest vocals of frontman Mike Tramp. Production Trivia:
Producer Michael Wagener kept the solo for "Wait" from a drum tracking guide because it was so impressive.
Vito Bratta recorded one solo using a borrowed Fender Stratocaster formerly owned by Jimi Hendrix. Audio Fidelity and Formats
For audiophiles looking for high-quality versions of this 1987 classic, various options exist:
Lossless Vinyl Rips: Collectors often seek out "HQ Audiophile Rips" from original US specialty pressings in lossless FLAC format to preserve the warmth of the original 1987 vinyl . white lion 1987 pride7 817682flac portable
Streaming: The album is widely available on digital platforms like Spotify for portable listening.
Historical Context: At the time of its UK release, critics hailed it as a "finest slab of hard rockin' vinyl," comparing the band's potential to giants like Judas Priest and Scorpions.
The story of White Lion's 1987 breakthrough album, , is a classic "climb to the top" tale of the glam metal era. Released on June 21, 1987, through Atlantic Records
, the album transformed the band from underground hopefuls into multi-platinum stars, eventually selling over two million copies in the U.S. alone. The Making of a Masterpiece Produced by the legendary Michael Wagener
was recorded over a six-week period at Amigo Studios in North Hollywood. The core of the album's sound relied on the unique chemistry between Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and virtuoso guitarist Vito Bratta
. Tramp famously noted that during the writing process, he and Bratta felt like they existed as "one person," a synergy that defined the album's polished yet powerful melodic hard rock style. Notable production facts include: The "Wait" Solo
: Guitarist Vito Bratta's iconic solo for the hit "Wait" was originally meant only as a guide for drum tracking. Producer Michael Wagener was so impressed that he kept the initial take for the final record. A Hendrix Connection White Lion's breakthrough second studio album, Pride ,
: One solo on the album was reportedly recorded using a borrowed Fender Stratocaster formerly owned by Jimi Hendrix No Keyboards : Unlike many of their 1980s contemporaries,
stood out for its lack of keyboards, relying instead on Bratta's intricate guitar layering and the driving rhythm section of James Lomenzo and Greg D’Angelo. Breakthrough and Chart Success Success didn't happen overnight. The lead single
was released on June 1, 1987, but didn't gain traction until MTV began airing the music video seven months later in January 1988. This heavy rotation eventually pushed the single to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100
The album's legacy was cemented by its third single, the acoustic ballad "When the Children Cry."
While most "hair bands" released love songs as ballads, White Lion chose a socially conscious track about peace and survival, which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Identifying the Digital Artifact: "81768-2" White Lion 1987 Pride7 817682flac Portable
Revisiting a Glam Metal Masterpiece: White Lion’s Pride (1987)
If you're hunting for the definitive sonic experience of late-80s melodic hard rock, look no further than White Lion's breakthrough sophomore effort, Pride. Released on June 21, 1987, via Atlantic Records, this album remains a high-water mark for the genre, blending technical virtuosity with surprisingly earnest songwriting. The Technical Edge: Catalog 81768-2 Check metadata (ID3/FLAC tags): album title, year, label,
For audiophiles and collectors, the specific pressing matters. The original U.S. CD release carries the catalog number 7 81768-2. While many modern listeners seek out this classic in FLAC format for its lossless quality, the original 1987 mastering by George Marino at Sterling Sound is often praised for its "clear, soaring production" that perfectly captured the band's tight synchronization. Why Pride Still Roars
Unlike many of their "hair metal" peers who leaned heavily into sleaze, White Lion—led by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and guitar hero Vito Bratta—offered a more refined, melodic approach.
Here is the full story behind the filename "white lion 1987 pride 817682flac portable," breaking down the history of the band, the album, and the technical details embedded in that string.
White Lion was a Danish-American glam metal band formed in 1983 by guitarist Vito Bratta and vocalist Mike Tramp. By the mid-1980s, the Los Angeles glam metal scene was exploding. Bands like Mötley Crüe and Ratt had already paved the way, and in 1987, the scene was arguably at its peak. White Lion fit perfectly into this ecosystem, offering a blend of anthemic hard rock and the ballads that defined the MTV era.
However, success was not immediate. Their debut album, Fight to Survive (1985), had struggled with distribution and production issues. By 1987, the band was under pressure to deliver a hit, or they would likely fade into obscurity.
White Lion was a Danish-American rock band that was formed in 1983 by lead vocalist Mike Tramp and guitarist Vito Bratta. The band is known for their hard rock and glam metal style. They achieved success with hits like "Wait," "When the Children Cry," and "Fool."
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a type of audio file format that allows music to be stored without losing any quality. If you're looking for a portable version of the "Pride" album in FLAC format, there are a few considerations: