Lionheart (British band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Website | lionheartrock |
Lionheart is a hard rock group from the United Kingdom, established in late 1980. The original lineup included vocalist Jess Cox (formerly of Tygers of Pan Tang), guitarist Dennis Stratton (previously with Iron Maiden), guitarist and keyboardist Steve Mann (ex-Liar, later associated with MSG, Michael Schenker, and Eloy), bassist and vocalist Rocky Newton (formerly of The Next Band and Wildfire), along with drummer Frank Noon (ex-The Next Band and Def Leppard). After disbanding in 1986, Lionheart reunited in 2016 featuring Stratton, Mann, Newton, new singer Lee Small (Shy, Phenomena), and drummer Clive Edwards (ex-UFO, Wild Horses).
Formation through disbandment
Lionheart's first performance took place at London's renowned Marquee Club. Due to creative disagreements, Cox departed and was succeeded by Reuben Archer, previously the lead vocalist for Lautrec. For the 1981 UK tour supporting Def Leppard, former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks stepped in for Noon, with Clive Edwards ultimately assuming drum duties. Archer briefly joined Wild Horses before co-founding Stampede alongside guitarist Laurence Archer, Noon, and bassist Colin Bond.
The track "Lionheart," featuring Archer, Stratton, Mann, Newton, and Noon, was included on the 1982 compilation Heavy Metal Heroes Vol. 2. This recording stands as the only representation of the band's initial sound prior to their stylistic evolution.
A demo created by Stratton, Mann, and Newton led to a contract with CBS Records' US division in 1984. With Chad Brown as the new vocalist and Bob Jenkins—formerly of Leo Sayer's band—on drums, they recorded their debut album Hot Tonight at Los Angeles' Sound City Studios under producer Kevin Beamish (REO Speedwagon, Starship). The album’s refined AOR approach failed to resonate with their original audience or gain traction in the American market.
In 1985, drummer Andy Beirne and keyboardist Phil Lanzon, both from Grand Prix, joined for an appearance on Channel 4's ECT program. Lanzon subsequently left to join The Sweet and later became part of Uriah Heep. Meanwhile, Brown was replaced by vocalist Keith Murrell (ex-Airrace).
Disbandment
Unable to secure significant success, Lionheart dissolved in 1986. Andy Beirne transitioned into artist management; Murrell became a member of the Irish rock band Mama's Boys; Newton and Mann joined the ranks of the McAuley Schenker Group. Dennis Stratton later achieved recognition in Japan touring with an all-star lineup of Praying Mantis, which included former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno.
Hiatus period
In late 1989, Steve Mann replaced his former bandmate Lanzon as guitarist and keyboardist for Sweet. He stayed until the mid-1990s when Frank Bornemann of Horus Sound Studio in Hannover invited him to join his band Eloy, alongside Klaus-Peter Matziol, Michael Gerlach, and Bodo Schopf. Mann contributed to the albums The Tides Return Forever and Ocean 2: The Answer, as well as touring across Germany.
In 1999, Pony Canyon issued Unearthed – Raiders of the Lost Archives, a compilation consisting of 30 Lionheart demo tracks aimed at the Japanese audience.
Reunion
Lionheart made a notable return on 22 October 2016 at Rockingham 2016, a melodic and hard rock festival held in Nottingham, UK, where they performed alongside headliners Steelheart. After this comeback, the band became active again, scheduling live performances and unveiling a new album titled Second Nature. This album was released in June 2017 in Japan through King Records and later in August 2017 across Europe via AOR Heaven. To promote the album, Lionheart embarked on a short tour in Japan while negotiations for wider distribution were still underway. The majority of the recording took place at Steve Mann's Flying Vivaldi Studio located in Germany, with additional contributions from Dennis Stratton, Lee Small, and Rocky Newton based in the UK.
In June 2017, Lionheart appeared at the Sweden Rock Festival and subsequently toured the United Kingdom alongside Airrace during November and December.
More recently, in November 2023, the band revealed plans to perform at the Firefest Festival (marking its 10th anniversary) at Manchester Academy, scheduled for October 2024. They are set to appear on the opening night of this event.
Current
- Dennis Stratton – guitar (1980–1986, 2016–present)
- Rocky Newton – bass, vocals (1980–1986, 2016–present)
- Steve Mann – guitar, keyboards (1980–1985, 1986, 2016–present)
- Clive Edwards – drums (1982–1983, 2016–present)
- Lee Small – lead vocals (2016–present)
Former
- Frank Noon – drums (1980–1981)
- Jess Cox – lead vocals (1980)
- Reuben Archer – lead vocals (1980–1983)
- Les Binks – drums (1981–1982; died 2025)
- Chad Brown – lead vocals (1984–1985)
- Robert Jenkins – drums (1984–1985)
- Andy Bierne – drums (1985–1986)
- Phil Lanzon – keyboards (1985–1986)
- Keith Murrell – lead vocals (1986)
Discography
- Hot Tonight (1984)
- Unearthed – Raiders of the Lost Archives (1999)
- Second Nature (2017)
- The Reality of Miracles (2020)
- The Grace of a Dragonfly (2024)