Another American heavy metal band, considered to be in the top four (alongside Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer), Anthrax was founded in New York City in 1981, by Scott Ian and Dan Lilker. One of the first thrash bands to be formed on the East Coast of the USA, they have released 11 albums and 26 singles, which includes a single collaborating with hip hop group Public Enemy.
Scott Ian is the only remaining member from the original line-up and they have seen a lot of turn-over over the decades. Gossip, rumors, and communication breakdowns seem to be a regular occurrence for Anthrax, but they’re still going.
Current members
Scott Ian is a founding member of Anthrax and lead rhythm guitarist. Born in 1963, he legally changed his name to Scott Ian, dropping his family name, Rosenfeld. Scott Ian is also a founding member of the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death, and he also writes the songs. He has also played guitar in the group Pearl (with his wife, Pearl Aday), the Damned Things, and Motor Sister. He has done a lot of work in TV, music, cartoons and more, and credits his earliest musical inspiration to watching KISS perform at Madison Square Gardens in 1977.
Charlie Benante is the drummer of Anthrax and is responsible for composing the majority of the music published by the band. Born in 1962, Charlie also performs with Stormtroopers of Death and in 2022, joined Pantera, after its previous drummer, Vinnie Paul, died. He joined Antrax in 1983 and is also a talented graphic artist, creating many of Anthrax’s album covers and T-shirt designs.
Frank Bello plays bass for Anthrax and is the nephew of Charlie Benante. Born in 1965, he started out as a roadie and guitar technician for Anthrax, and later he replaced Dan Lilker in 1984. He left to join another thrash band Helmet, but within a year, was back with Anthrax and he remains with the band to this day.
Joey Belladonna is the lead vocalist for Anthrax, and was lead singer from 1984 to 1992, 2005 and 2006, and since 2010. Born in 1960 to an Italian father and Native American mother, and is famous for his crazy antics on stage.
Jonathan Donais is the lead guitarist for Anthrax, and previously, he spent nearly two decades with his original band, Shadows Fall. Born in Massachusetts in 1979, the previous lead guitar player, Rob Caggiano, recruited him to this position, as he knew he was leaving the band.
Previous members
- Dan Lilker – (1981–1984) bass, rhythm guitar (1981)
- David Weiss – (1981-1981) drums
- John Connelly – (1981-1981) lead vocals
- Paul Kahn – (1981-1981) bass
- Kenny Kushner – (1981-1981) bass
- Dirk Kennedy – (1981-1981) lead vocals
- Greg Walls – (1981–1983) lead guitar
- Greg D’Angelo – (1981–1983) drums
- Jason Rosenfeld – (1981–1982) lead vocals
- Tommy Wise – (1982-1982) lead vocals
- Neil Turbin – (1982–1984) lead vocals
- Bob Berry – (1983-1983) lead guitar
- Dan Spitz – (1983–1995), (2005–2007) lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
- Matt Fallon – (1984-1984) lead vocals
- John Bush – (1992–2005), (2009–2010) lead vocals
- Paul Crook – (1995–2001) lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
- Rob Caggiano – (2001–2005), (2007–2013) and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
- Dan Nelson – (2007–2009) lead vocals
Personal reflection
I have a lot of respect for the different types of music they play, for example, partnering with Public Enemy on a song. I really admire the guitarist Scott Ian as a guitar player and as a businessperson. He seems committed to building relationships with musicians from all genres.
Contact
Spotify
