Lionheart

Dennis Stratton launched Lionheart in 1980 on guitar after departing Iron Maiden. Vocalist Jess Cox, born in England and formerly of Tygers Of Pan Tang, came aboard alongside drummer Frank Noon, whose résumé included Next Band and Def Leppard, guitarist Steve Mann from Liar, and bassist Rocky Newton, late of Wildfire. Their first performance took place on a Saturday evening at London’s Marquee and made a strong impression, yet harsh reviews aimed at Cox prompted the cancellation of the following two shows and prompted his replacement by Reuben Archer of Lautrec. Noon departed in 1981 for Paul Di’Anno’s band and subsequently joined Waysted. Stratton, Mann, and Newton maintained the core of the group through shifting personnel that featured drummers Les Binks of Judas Priest and Clive Edwards from Grand Prix.

Heavy Metal Records signed them in 1982, yet the only release was the single track “Lionheart” on the compilation Heavy Metal Heroes, Vol. 2. That recording alone documents their original approach, since the band altered its sound markedly thereafter. Adding vocalist Chad Brown and session drummer Robert Jenkins, they cut an album under producer Kevin Beamish of REO Speedwagon; the resulting polished, Americanized record attracted neither longtime supporters nor the intended American market.

Drummer Andy Bierne and keyboardist Phil Lanzon, previously with the re-formed glam rockers Sweet, joined in 1985. Lanzon later exited and was succeeded by Steve Mann of Stratus together with vocalist Keith Murrell. The band dissolved in 1986. Bierne moved into management, Murrell joined Mama’s Boys, and both Newton and Mann entered MSG. Stratton subsequently achieved recognition in Japan within the British All Stars/Praying Mantis configuration that incorporated several former New Wave Of British Heavy Metal musicians.