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List of Tygers of Pan Tang members

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A former lineup of Tygers of Pan Tang in 2014 (top) and 2018 (bottom).

Tygers of Pan Tang (TOPT) are an English heavy metal band from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside. Formed in 1978, the group originally featured lead vocalist Mark Butcher who was replaced by Jess Cox, guitarist and backing vocalist Robb Weir, bassist and backing vocalist Richard "Rocky" Laws, and drummer Brian "Big" Dick. The group's current lineup includes Weir, drummer Craig Ellis (since 2000), vocalist Jacopo "Jack" Meille (since 2004), bassist Gavin Gray (since 2011). Jess Cox formed "Jess Cox's Tygers of Pan Tang" in 2015 and has featured members of Blitzkrieg.

History

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1978–1987

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TOPT were formed in 1978 by Robb Weir, Rocky Laws and Brian Dick, who added Mark Butcher after Weir briefly considered performing lead vocals.[1] He was replaced before the end of the month by Jess Cox.[2] During the recording of their debut album Wild Cat, the band decided to add a second guitarist, and after several auditions brought in John Sykes.[2] After the album's promotional tour ended in October 1980, Cox suddenly left.[3] He was replaced the following month by Jon Deverill.[4] The new lineup released Spellbound and Crazy Nights in 1981, before Sykes left to join Thin Lizzy and was replaced by former Penetration guitarist Fred Purser.[5] Shortly after issuing The Cage in 1982, TOPT were dropped by MCA Records, and before the end of the year the group had disbanded.[6]

In 1985, Deverill and Dick reformed TOPT with new members Steve Lamb, Neil Sheperd (both guitars) and Colin Irwin (bass), the latter of whom was soon replaced by Dave Donaldson in time for the recording of comeback album The Wreck-Age.[7] Lamb had recently been a member of Robb Weir's band Sergeant, while both Sheperd and Donaldson had worked with former TOPT frontman Jess Cox in recent years.[8] For the 1987 follow-up Burning in the Shade, Deverill, Lamb and Dick worked with songwriter Steve Thompson as a guest contributor, before breaking up for a second time.[6]

1999 onwards

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Jess Cox and Robb Weir reunited at Wacken Open Air festival in August 1999 to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of TOPT's first single "Don't Touch Me There", adding Blitzkrieg members Glenn S. Howes on guitar, Gavin Gray on bass and Chris Percy on drums.[9][10] This led to a full reformation of the band the following year, with sole original member Weir joined by new vocalist Tony Liddell, guitarist Dean Robertson, bassist Brian West and drummer Craig Ellis.[11] Shortly after the release of Mystical, the band's first studio album since 1987, Liddell was replaced by Angel Witch bassist Richie Wicks.[12] The new vocalist remained until October 2004, recording Noises from the Cathouse before leaving due to "ongoing work commitments".[13] Italian singer Jacopo Meille took over in December.[14]

After releasing Animal Instinct in 2008, followed by a series of re-recordings of earlier material, West officially departed in November 2011 to focus on his duties as bass technician for Uriah Heep, with Gavin Gray returning to take his place.[15] Ambush followed in 2012, before Robertson left at the beginning of 2013 to focus on other projects.[16] He was replaced by Micky Crystal.[17] In 2015 Jess Cox formed “Jess Cox’s Tygers of Pan Tang” and made festival appearances across Europe as well as a tour of South America.

Micky Crystal departed in March 2020,[18] followed by Gavin Gray in July 2021.[19] Their replacements have been Francesco Marras and Huw Howlding (also ex-Blitzkrieg) respectively.[20][21]

Members

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Current

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Tygers of Pan Tang - Robb Weir – Headbangers Open Air 2014 06.jpg
 Robb Weir
  • 1978–1982
  • 1999–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
 all releases, except The Wreck-Age (1985) and Burning in the Shade (1987)
Tygers of Pan Tang - Craig Ellis – Headbangers Open Air 2014 00.jpg
 Craig Ellis 2000–present
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
 all releases from Mystical (2001) onwards except A New Heartbeat (2022)
Tygers of Pan Tang - Jacopo Meille – Headbangers Open Air 2014 04.jpg
 Jacopo "Jack" Meille 2004–present lead vocals all releases from Animal Instinct (2008) onwards
Francesco Marras 2020–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
 all releases from Bloodlines (2023) onwards
Huw holding.png
 Huw Holding 2021–present bass

Former

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Brian "Big" Dick
  • 1978–1982
  • 1985–1987
  • drums
  • percussion
  • all releases from Wild Cat (1980) to First Kill (1992)
  • Live at Nottingham Rock City (2001)
Richard "Rocky" Laws 1978–1982
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • all releases from Wild Cat (1980) to The Cage (1982)
  • First Kill (1992)
  • Live at Nottingham Rock City (2001)
Mark Butcher 1978 lead vocals none – live performances only
Jess Cox
  • 1978–1980
  • 1999
  • Wild Cat (1980)
  • "Rock n' Roll Man" (1980)
  • First Kill (1992)
  • Live at Wacken (2001)
John Sykes Vauhtiajot 2008.jpg
 John Sykes 1980–1982
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Spellbound (1981)
  • "Don't Take Nothing" (1981)
  • Crazy Nights (1981)
  • The Cage (1982) – two tracks only
  • Live at Nottingham Rock City (2001)
Jon Deverill
  • 1980–1982
  • 1985–1987
 lead vocals
  • all releases from Spellbound (1981) to Burning in the Shade (1987)
  • Live at Nottingham Rock City (2001)
Fred Purser 1982
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
 The Cage (1982)
Steve Lamb 1985–1987
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Neil Sheperd guitar The Wreck-Age (1985)
Colin Irwin 1985 bass none – rehearsals only
Dave Donaldson 1985–1987
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 The Wreck-Age (1985)
Tygers of Pan Tang - Gavin Gray – Headbangers Open Air 2014 01.jpg
 Gavin Gray
  • 1999 (one-off)
  • 2011–2021
  • Live at Wacken (2001)
  • all TOPT releases from Ambush (2012) onwards
Chris Percy 1999 (one-off) drums Live at Wacken (2001)
Glenn S. Howes guitar
Dean Robertson 2000–2013 all releases from Mystical (2001) to Ambush (2012)
Brian West 2000–2011 bass all releases from Mystical (2001) to The Spellbound Sessions (2011)
Tony Liddell 2000–2001 lead vocals Mystical (2001)
Richie Wicks 2001–2004
  • Live in the Roar (2003)
  • Noises from the Cathouse (2004)
  • Live in Holland (2005)
Tygers of Pan Tang - Micky Crystal – Headbangers Open Air 2014 04.jpg
 Michael "Micky" Crystal 2013–2020
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • The Crazy Nights Sessions (2014)
  • Tygers of Pan Tang (2016)
  • Ritual (2019)

Timeline

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Lineups

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Period Members Releases
Early – August 1978
  • Mark Butcher – lead vocals
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Rocky Laws – bass, backing vocals
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
 none – live performances only
August 1978 – July 1980
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Rocky Laws – bass, backing vocals
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
  • Jess Cox – lead vocals
July – October 1980
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Rocky Laws – bass, backing vocals
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
  • Jess Cox – lead vocals
  • John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals
 none – live performances only
November 1980 – April 1982
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Rocky Laws – bass, backing vocals
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
  • John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jon Deverill – lead vocals
April – November 1982
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Rocky Laws – bass, backing vocals
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
  • Jon Deverill – lead vocals
  • Fred Purser – guitar, backing vocals
  • The Cage (1982) – remaining tracks
Band inactive November 1982 – early 1985
Early 1985
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
  • Jon Deverill – lead vocals
  • Steve Lamb – guitar, backing vocals
  • Neil Sheperd – guitar
  • Colin Irwin – bass
 none – rehearsals only
1985–1987
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
  • Jon Deverill – lead vocals
  • Steve Lamb – guitar, backing vocals
  • Neil Sheperd – guitar
  • Dave Donaldson – bass, backing vocals
1987
  • Brian Dick – drums, percussion
  • Jon Deverill – lead vocals
  • Steve Lamb – guitar, backing vocals
Band inactive 1987–1999
August 1999
(Wacken Open Air)
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jess Cox – lead vocals
  • Glenn S. Howes – guitar
  • Gavin Gray – bass, backing vocals
  • Chris Percy – drums
  • Live at Wacken (2001)
2000 – November 2001
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Tony Liddell – vocals
  • Dean Robertson – guitar
  • Brian West – bass
  • Craig Ellis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Mystical (2001)
November 2001 – October 2004
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dean Robertson – guitar
  • Brian West – bass
  • Craig Ellis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Richie Wicks – vocals
  • Live in the Roar (2003)
  • Noises from the Cathouse (2004)
  • Live in Holland (2005)
December 2004 – November 2011
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dean Robertson – guitar
  • Brian West – bass
  • Craig Ellis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jacopo Meille – vocals
  • Animal Instinct (2008)
  • Animal Instinct x2 (2009)
  • The Wildcat Sessions (2010)
  • The Spellbound Sessions (2011)
November 2011 – January 2013
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dean Robertson – guitar
  • Craig Ellis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jacopo Meille – lead vocals
  • Gavin Gray – bass, backing vocals
  • Ambush (2012)
February 2013 – March 2020
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Gavin Gray – bass, backing vocals
  • Craig Ellis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jacopo Meille – lead vocals
  • Micky Crystal – guitar, backing vocals
October 2020 – July 2021
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Gavin Gray – bass, backing vocals
  • Craig Ellis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jacopo Meille – lead vocals
  • Francesco Marras – guitar, backing vocals
 none – rehearsals only
August 2021 – present
  • Robb Weir – guitar, backing vocals
  • Craig Ellis – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jacopo Meille – lead vocals
  • Francesco Marras – guitar, backing vocals
  • Huw Howlding – bass
  • Bloodlines (2023)
  • Live Blood (2024)

References

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  1. ^ Miasnikov, Alon (18 April 2008). "Tygers Of Pan Tang - Past And Beyond". Metalist Magazine. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b Weir, Robb (21 October 2015). ""One Again Into The Breach My Friends."". Tygers of Pan Tang. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Rock 'n' Roll Shuffle: Selecter, Bodysnatchers, Tygers add and subtract" (PDF). Record Mirror. London, England: Morgan-Grampian Group. 25 October 1980. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  4. ^ "News" (PDF). Record Mirror. London, England: Morgan-Grampian Group. 22 November 1980. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Former Tygers Of Pan Tang Members Form New Band Purser Deverill". Blabbermouth.net. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  6. ^ a b Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Tygers of Pan Tang: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Tygers roar again". Blackpool Gazette. 14 March 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Tygers of Pan Tang History". Metal Nation Records. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Meat Records & TOPT Management". Tygers of Pan Tang. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  10. ^ Alikivi, Gary (10 June 2019). "Tyger Beat with former Tygers of Pan Tang drummer Chris Damage Percy". Gary Alikivi. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  11. ^ Trunk, Russell A. (2015). "'80s - Tygers of Pan Tang (2015): The Story So Far: Hear the Tygers Roar!". Six Degrees Entertainment. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Archive News Nov 28, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. 28 November 2001. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  13. ^ "Tygers Of Pan Tang Part Ways With Singer, Seek Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. 2 October 2004. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Tygers Of Pan Tang Welcome New Singer". Blabbermouth.net. 14 December 2004. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  15. ^ "Brian Leaves/Gav now permanent". Tygers of Pan Tang. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  16. ^ "Deano Leaves Tygers". Tygers of Pan Tang. 3 January 2013. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  17. ^ "New Guitarist Announced". Tygers of Pan Tang. 15 February 2013. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  18. ^ Olivier (24 April 2020). "Tygers of Pan Tang part ways with guitarist Micky Crystal - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  19. ^ "After an amazing ten years together, Gav has made the decision to leave the Tygers". Facebook. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  20. ^ Stoakes, Danny (14 October 2020). "TYGERS OF PAN TANG ANNOUNCE NEW GUITARIST". Stoakes Media. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  21. ^ "TYGERS OF PAN TANG Introduce New Bassist HUW HOLDING". bravewords.com. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
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