44 Magnum (stylized as 44MAGNUM) are a Japanese
heavy metal band, originally formed in
Osaka Prefecture in mid-1977.
They were one of the first
Japanese metal
is heavy metal music from Japan.
1970s: Early acts
Originally formed in 1967 as a cover band of British and American psychedelic rock titled " Yuya Uchida & the Flowers," Japan's Flower Travellin' Band have been credited as one of the progenitor ...
bands.
History
44 Magnum was originally formed in 1977 by vocalist Tatsuya "Paul" Umehara. After recruiting guitarist Satoshi "Jimmy" Hirose and bassist Hironori "Ban" Yoshikawa in 1979, the classic line-up was finalized when Satoshi "Joe" Miyawaki joined on drums in 1982. The band made their major label debut the following year with the album ''Danger''.
44 Magnum disbanded in 1989.
After thirteen years, 44 Magnum reunited in 2002 and released their seventh album ''Ignition''.
Bassist Ban left the band in 2009. That year, they released a self-titled album that features
La'cryma Christi
La'cryma Christi (Latin for "The Tears of Christ") was a Japanese visual kei rock band originally active from 1991 to 2007. At their peak, they were considered one of "the big four of visual kei" alongside Fanatic Crisis, Malice Mizer and Shaz ...
member Shuse on bass and Paul's son Stevie as a lead singer along with Paul on most of the tracks.
In early 2012, frontman and sole original member Paul announced he would stop performing live with 44 Magnum to focus on treatment for
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...
, which he was diagnosed with in 2005.
However, he continues to record and write songs with the band,
and still makes live appearances. Bassist Ban returned to 44 Magnum for the 30th anniversary of their debut in 2013.
On February 3, 2022, 44 Magnum announced that Ban was no longer a part of the band.
A little over a week later, Sexx George of the band Ladies Room was announced as support bassist.
Members
* Tatsuya "Paul" Umehara – vocals (1977–1989, 2002–present)
* Satoshi "Jimmy" Hirose – guitar (1979–1989, 2002–present)
* Satoshi "Joe" Miyawaki – drums (1982–1988, 2002–present)
* Stevie Umehara – vocals (2009–present)
* Sexx George – support bass (2022–present)
;Former members
* Akira Nagamori – guitar
* Taka Tanaka – bass
* Hirofumi Miyamoto – drums
* Teruki Iga – drums (1979–1982)
* Shuse (
La'cryma Christi
La'cryma Christi (Latin for "The Tears of Christ") was a Japanese visual kei rock band originally active from 1991 to 2007. At their peak, they were considered one of "the big four of visual kei" alongside Fanatic Crisis, Malice Mizer and Shaz ...
) – bass (2009–2012)
* Anarchy Bad Ray – support bass (2010)
* Hironori "Ban" Yoshikawa – bass (1979–1989, 2002–2009, 2013–2022)
Timeline
Discography
;Studio albums
* ''Danger'' (1983)
* ''Street Rock'n Roller'' (1984)
* ''Actor'' (1985)
* ''Love or Money'' (1987)
* ''Emotional Color'' (1988)
* ''Still Alive'' (1989)
* ''Ignition'' (2002)
* ''44Magnum'' (2009)
* ''Angel Number'' (2015)
* ''Prisoner'' (2019)
;EPs
* ''44Magnum'' (1983)
* ''Four Figures'' (1985)
* ''Beast'' (2013)
;Singles
* "It's Raining" (1987)
* "I Miss You" (1988)
;Live albums
* ''The Live'' (1985, EP)
* ''Live Act II'' (1986)
* ''2016 04 03 04 Special Live'' (2017)
;Compilations
* ''Anthology'' (1989)
* ''Live & Rare'' (2000, 10-CD boxset)
* ''The Bootleg-MK.I'' (2001, 2CD & DVD)
* ''The Bootleg-MK.II'' (2011, CD & DVD)
* ''44Magnum 35th Anniversary Ultimate Collection'' (March 21, 2012, SHM-CDs)
:Includes ''Danger'', ''Street Rock'n Roller'', ''Actor'', ''Live + Four Figures'', ''Live Act II -Complete-'' and ''Ignition''.
;Videos
* ''The Beginning'' (1985)
* ''The Bootleg-MK.I'' (2001, DVD & 2CD)
* ''Live at Alive'' (2010)
* ''The Bootleg-MK.II'' (2011, DVD & CD)
* ''44Magnum on 30th Anniversary Tour 2013 Bombard Attack'' (2014)
* ''Bombard Attack 44Magnum on Tour 2014 2014.10.18 Tokyo'' (2015)
* ''2016 04 03 04 Special Live'' (2016)
References
External links
Official websiteOfficial MySpace
Japanese heavy metal musical groups
Japanese hard rock musical groups
Musical groups established in 1977
Musical groups disestablished in 1989
Musical groups reestablished in 2002
Musical quintets
Musical groups from Osaka Prefecture
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