Mick Box

To borrow Mick Box’s catchphrase, these are ’appy days indeed. Well, in certain respects anyway. As co-founder of the Essex band that became Uriah Heep in 1970 – and set out to “do something original” – the guitarist has led his band through a half-century of essential British heavy prog and on to 45 million album sales.

Not everyone has made it to this year’s 50th anniversary, but as the 72-year-old readies plans for a UK tour, it’s clear that his passion and purpose – not to mention his hair and humour – remain intact. If there’s