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Ian Astbury

Ian Robert Astbury (born 14 May 1962) is an English singer, best known as the lead vocalist, frontman and a founding member of the rock band the Cult. During various hiatuses from the Cult, Astbury fronted the short-lived band Holy Barbarians in 1996, and later from 2002 to 2007 served as the lead singer of Riders on the Storm, a Doors tribute band that also featured original Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger. Astbury replaced Rob Tyner during an MC5 reunion in 2003, and has contributed guest vocals on several recordings by other artists.

Early life

Ian Astbury was born in Heswall, Cheshire, and is of Scottish and English descent. He moved with his family to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, from England in 1973 when he was 11. He attended Glendale Secondary School. Astbury's early musical influences took root in Hamilton, where he became a fan of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and New York Dolls. He did not start performing until after his return to England.

In 1979, while living in Glasgow, Astbury was influenced by the Doors' song "The End", which he heard while watching the film Apocalypse Now, later describing this as "a religious experience".

Career

Early career

In 1980, Astbury was in Liverpool, where he was active on the punk scene based around Eric's Club. He moved to Bradford in late 1980, and by 1981 he helped found the post-punk band Southern Death Cult, which lasted until March 1983. Along with guitarist Billy Duffy, bassist Jamie Stewart and drummer Raymond Taylor Smith, Astbury formed a new band, Death Cult, and released the Death Cult extended play (EP). To help broaden their appeal, the band changed its name to "the Cult" in January 1984 before appearing on the Channel 4 television show, The Tube.

The Cult's debut studio album, Dreamtime, was released in 1984, followed by Love in 1985. Love featured the single "She Sells Sanctuary", which introduced the band to an international audience. Many songs of these early albums focus on Native American themes, a preoccupation of Astbury's. On their third studio album, Electric (1987), the Cult made a transformation to a hard rock sound with the help of producer Rick Rubin.

After the release of the 1989 studio album Sonic Temple and the single "Fire Woman", Astbury relocated to Los Angeles, California, US.

1990s

In 1994, the Cult returned with an eponymous studio album and a musical change of pace. Their hard rock sound was gone, as a result of Astbury's growing interest in alternative music, fashion and introspective lyrics. Although the album produced two singles ("Coming Down" and "Star"), it was not a commercial success. They toured to support the album, but in Brazil creative differences with guitarist Duffy reached their nadir, which resulted in him leaving the band.

Astbury soon assembled another group of musicians and began writing new songs. He called the band Holy Barbarians, and in 1996 the band released the studio album Cream, which was not a commercial success. The band appeared at the small Tunbridge Wells Forum, where Vic Reeves joined the band onstage for a rendition of "Wildflower".

Personal difficulties and a drive for further introspection drove Astbury away from his new group, and he began working on a solo studio album, eventually released as Spirit/Light/Speed in 2000.

In 1999, Astbury and Duffy reformed the Cult. The band signed a new recording contract with Atlantic Records, and in 2001 Beyond Good and Evil was released. The band initially enjoyed radio success with the single "Rise", until a falling out with Atlantic, which ended all commercial promotions and radio play for the album. Disillusioned by the fight with the record label, Astbury brought the Cult to another hiatus in 2002.

2000s and beyond

Astbury became lead vocalist of the Doors of the 21st Century in 2002. The group featured original Doors members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.

In 2003, Astbury performed with the surviving members of MC5 at the 100 Club in London.

He re-formed the Cult with Duffy in 2006, for a series of live shows. In October 2007, the Cult released Born into This, which included the single "Dirty Little Rockstar". In 2009, the band embarked on a tour with shows across Canada, the US, and various countries in Europe where they performed their 1985 studio album Love in its entirety.

On 29 May 2010, the Japanese band Boris performed "The End" with Ian Astbury at Vivid Festival in Sydney. Boris and Astbury released a four-song EP in September 2010 on Southern Lord and Daymare Records, containing four tracks entitled "Teeth and Claws," "We are Witches," "Rain" and "Magickal Child."

Other musical ventures

Astbury is featured on the UNKLE tracks "Burn My Shadow", "When Things Explode" and "Forever." He also sings "Flame On" on Black Sabbath lead guitarist Tony Iommi's debut solo studio album Iommi (2000), and recorded a duet with Debbie Harry on her 1989 solo studio album Def, Dumb and Blonde, called "Lovelight".

In 2010, he provided the vocals for the song "Ghost" on guitarist Slash's self-titled solo studio album. The track also featured former Guns N' Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin on rhythm guitar. Astbury is also credited for playing the drums on a track called "Gasp" by Japanese Cartoon.

Personal life

Astbury lives in Los Angeles. He has played on the amateur football team Hollywood United with Billy Duffy and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. He is a supporter of English Premier League club Everton. On 26 May 2012, Astbury married the Black Ryder singer and guitarist Aimee Nash in Las Vegas.

Discography

The Cult

Holy Barbarians

Cream (1996)

Solo

Spirit/Light/Speed (2000)

Guest appearances

Deborah Harry, Def, Dumb & Blonde (1989) – backing vocals on "Lovelight"
The Fuzztones — guest vocals
Steve Jones, Fire and Gasoline (1989) – producer, guest vocals
The Four Horsemen, Rockin Is Ma Business (1991) – percussion, backing vocals
Messiah, 21st Century Jesus (1993) – vocals on "Creator"
Circus of Power, Magic and Madness (1993) – vocals on "Shine"
Tony Iommi, Iommi (2000) – vocals on "Flame On"
Various artists. Stoned Immaculate: The Music of The Doors (2000) – vocals on "Touch Me"
Zilch guest vocalist (2001)
Various artists, Sonic Revolution: A Celebration of The MC5 (2001) – vocals on "Kick Out the Jams"
Unkle, War Stories (2007) – vocals on "Burn My Shadow" and "When Things Explode"
Slash, Slash (2010) – vocals on "Ghost"
Boris and Ian Astbury, BXI EP (2010)
Boris, Heavy Rocks (2011) – backing vocals on "Riot Sugar"
Unkle, Only the Lonely EP (2011) – vocals on bonus track "Forever"
Nine Inch Nails, Bad Witch (2018) – backing vocals on "Shit Mirror"
Unkle, The Road: Part II (Lost Highway) (2019) – backing vocals on "Crucifixion / A Prophet"