Balaam and the Angel are a rock band founded by Mark, James (Jim), and Desmond (Des) Morris in Cannock, England in 1984.
Career As children in Motherwell, Scotland, the Morris brothers worked in the entertainment industry as part of a cabaret act. They moved south to Cannock, Staffordshire, England, where they formed Balaam and the Angel.Moore, Christie (2006) The Unultimate Rockopedia, AuthorHouse, , p. 27-8
Initially the band self-released a series of EPs and an album entitled Sun Family via their own Chapter 22 record label and played some tour dates opening for The Cult. This caught the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them and released their debut album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. It peaked at No. 67 in the UK Albums Chart in August 1986. They toured in the United States with Kiss and label mate Iggy Pop.
A second guitarist and the first non-sibling, Ian McKean of Twenty Flight Rockers, was added to the band in 1988. The band began to move away from gothic rock music styles into a sound that had more in common with hard rock. With their new-found style, they recorded the album Live Free or Die. This was soon followed up in similar style when they recorded Days of Madness, before leaving Virgin Records.
Members Mark Morris - vocals, bass (1983–1989, 1991–present) Jim Morris - guitar, vocals, keyboards (1983–1989, 1991–present) Des Morris - drums (1983–1989, 1991–present) Karen Morris - keyboards (2019–present) Chris P Notes (Chris Williams) - keyboards (1994–2019) Ian McKean - guitar (1988–1989, 1991–1994)
Discography Albums Release date Title1985Sun Family (Compilation)1986The Greatest Story Ever Told1988Live Free or Die1989Days of Madness1991No More Innocence (Mini-album)1993Prime Time2019That's Not the Real World (Live)
Compilation albums Release date Title1987Young Virgins (featuring "Light of the World")2002Sun Family
EPs Release date Title1984World of Light1985Love Me2024Forces of Evil2026Love Death Wealth Water
Singles Release date Title1985"Day and Night"1986"She Knows" - UK No. 701986"Slow Down"1986"Light of the World"1986"New Kind of Love" (Australia only)1987"I'll Show You Something Special"1987"I Love the Things You Do to Me"1988"Live Free or Die (Texas Redbeard Mix)"1989"I Took a Little"1990"A Little Bit of Love"1993"Shame on You"
See also Reading and Leeds Festivals line-ups
References
External links Balaam and the Angel official website