Editing Ian Astbury

{{Short description|British singer (born 1962)}}
{{BLP sources|date=December 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image             = Ian Astbury (The Cult) (5879974687) (cropped).jpg
| name              = Ian Astbury
| caption           = Astbury performing with [[the Cult]] in 2011
| birth_name        = Ian Robert Astbury
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|df=y|1962|5|14}}
| birth_place       = [[Heswall]], [[Cheshire]],{{refn|Heswall was part of Cheshire in 1962. It later became part of [[Merseyside]] upon the county’s establishment in 1974.|group=nb}} England
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[gothic rock]]|{{nowrap|[[post-punk]]}}}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| instruments       = {{hlist|Vocals|percussion}}
| years_active      = 1981–present
| current_member_of = [[The Cult]]
| past_member_of    = {{hlist|[[Southern Death Cult]]|[[Death Cult]]|[[The Doors of the 21st Century]]|[[Holy Barbarians (band)|Holy Barbarians]]}}
}}
'''Ian Robert Astbury'''<ref name=Juice63>{{cite news | url=http://juicemagazine.com/home/the-cult/ | work=[[Juice (skateboarding magazine)|Juice]] | title=Ian Astbury / The Cult | first=Steve | last=Olson | issue=63 | access-date=29 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>Cult Biography, Camelot Music 1988</ref> (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]].<ref name="urlThe Cult | View the Music Artists Biography Online | VH1.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/cult_the/bio.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021103014324/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/cult_the/bio.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2002 |title=The Cult &#124; View the Music Artists Biography Online &#124; VH1.com |access-date=3 April 2010}}</ref> During various hiatuses from the Cult, Astbury fronted the short-lived band [[Holy Barbarians (band)|Holy Barbarians]] in 1996, and later from 2002 to 2007 served as the lead singer of [[Manzarek–Krieger|Riders on the Storm]], a [[Doors (band)|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]], near [[Liverpool]],<ref>Larkin, Colin (2011) ''The Encyclopedia of Popular Music'', Bish Bash Books, {{ISBN|978-1846098567}}, p. 461</ref> and is of Scottish and English descent.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2003-09-01-riding-the-storm-again-without-morrison|title=Riding the Storm Again – without Morrison |newspaper=[[Mail & Guardian]] |via=Mg.co.za |date=1 September 2003 |access-date=3 June 2022}}</ref> He moved with his family to [[Hamilton, Ontario]], Canada, from England in 1973 when he was 11. He attended [[Glendale Secondary School]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Graham Rockingham| title=Interview: Ian Astbury of The Cult and Hamilton | website=New Hamburg Independent | date=10 June 2016 | url=https://www.newhamburgindependent.ca/entertainment/music/interview-ian-astbury-of-the-cult-and-hamilton/article_74b1998f-8791-5bd4-88a8-9bee87b28ca0.html | access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref> 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 the UK.<ref>{{cite news|author=Graham Rockingham |url=http://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/6715379-interview-ian-astbury-of-the-cult-and-hamilton/
|title=Interview: Ian Astbury of The Cult and Hamilton |newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator |date=10 June 2016 |access-date= 12 April 2017}}</ref>

In 1979, while living in Glasgow, Astbury was influenced by [[the Doors]]' song "[[The End (The Doors song)|The End]]", which he heard while watching the film ''[[Apocalypse Now]]'', later describing this as "a religious experience".<ref>{{cite web|author=C.B.Liddell |url=http://yknow-interviews.blogspot.com/2010/05/ian-astbury-musician.html |title=Y'know – interviews with the famous: Ian Astbury, musician |publisher=Yknow-interviews.blogspot.com |date=9 May 2010 |access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref>

==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 (bassist)|Jamie Stewart]] and drummer Raymond Taylor Smith, Astbury formed a new band, Death Cult, and released the ''[[Death Cult (EP)|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 (1982 TV series)|The Tube]]''.

The Cult's debut studio album, ''[[Dreamtime (The Cult album)|Dreamtime]]'', was released in 1984, followed by ''[[Love (Cult album)|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 [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] themes, a particular interest of Astbury's. On their third studio album, ''[[Electric (The Cult 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 [[The Cult (album)|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 (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 [[Jim Moir|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 (album)|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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Billboard Staff |date=2006-01-30 |title=The Cult Energized For 2006 Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-cult-energized-for-2006-tour-59871/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2000–present===
[[File:IanAsbury.jpg|thumb|Astbury performing in 2007]]
Astbury became lead vocalist of [[Manzarek-Krieger|the Doors of the 21st Century]] in 2002. The group featured original Doors members [[Robby Krieger]] and [[Ray Manzarek]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Doors_Of_The_21st_Century/2005/07/24/1145148.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710151212/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Doors_Of_The_21st_Century/2005/07/24/1145148.html | url-status=usurped | archive-date=10 July 2012 | title=Long live the Lizard King | first=Mike | last=Ross | newspaper=[[Edmonton Sun]] | date=24 July 2005 | access-date=9 August 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/8219.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20071024170630/http://www.livedaily.com/news/8219.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 October 2007 | title=The Doors of the 21st Century head up 'Strange Days' fest | date=31 May 2005 | publisher=[[LiveDaily]] | access-date=9 August 2010 | first=Jon | last=Zahlaway }}</ref>

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.<ref name=":0" /> In October 2007, the Cult released ''Born into This'', which included the single "Dirty Little Rockstar".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2007-07-12 |title=THE CULT: 'Born Into This' Pushed Back To October |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-cult-born-into-this-pushed-back-to-october/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2009 |title=The Cult to perform 1985’s ‘Love’ on upcoming world tour |url=https://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2009/05/20/the-cult-love-live-world-tour-dates/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Slicing Up Eyeballs |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 29 May 2010, the Japanese band [[Boris (band)|Boris]] performed "The End" with Ian Astbury at Vivid Festival in Sydney.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/2bAuvSYb1D0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140201011744/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bAuvSYb1D0 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bAuvSYb1D0 |title=Ian Astbury and Boris The End @ Sydney Opera House 2010 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=14 October 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://pitchfork.com/news/39000-boris-team-with-the-cults-ian-astbury/ | title=Boris Team With the Cult's Ian Astbury | date=2 June 2010 | first=Ryan | last=Dombal | publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] | access-date=9 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.diwproducts.com/prd.php?DYMC126 |title=商品詳細 |publisher=Diwproducts.com |access-date=14 October 2011 |archive-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003232239/http://www.diwproducts.com/prd.php?DYMC126 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.southernlord.com/?p=271 |title=Southern Lord Records " BXI= Boris Collaboration With Ian Astbury! |publisher=Blog.southernlord.com |access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref>

===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 (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 (musician)|Slash]]'s [[Slash (album)|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 soccer team [[Hollywood United F.C.|Hollywood United]] with Billy Duffy and [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]] of [[Sex Pistols]]. He is a supporter of English Premier League club [[Everton F.C.|Everton]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Gourlay |first=Dom |url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4144968-not-that-many-bands-seem-to-give-a-shit-but-we-do-we-always-have---dis-meets-ian-astbury-of-the-cult |title="Not that many bands seem to give a shit but we do. We always have" : DiS meets Ian Astbury of The / In Depth // Drowned In Sound |website=Drownedinsound.com |date=3 June 2012 |access-date=15 May 2020 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125021949/https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4144968-not-that-many-bands-seem-to-give-a-shit-but-we-do-we-always-have---dis-meets-ian-astbury-of-the-cult |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 26 May 2012, Astbury married [[the Black Ryder]] singer and guitarist Aimee Nash in Las Vegas.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Marisa |last1=Laudadio |first2=Johnny |last2=Dodd |date=29 May 2012 |title=The Cult's Ian Astbury Weds in Las Vegas |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20599219,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531203043/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20599219,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 May 2012 |access-date=3 June 2012 }}</ref>

==Discography==
[[File:The Cult headlining Ramblin' Man Fair 2018 (47542669931).jpg|thumb|Astbury performing in 2018]]

===The Cult===
{{Main|The Cult discography}}
*''[[Dreamtime (The Cult album)|Dreamtime]]'' (1984)
*''[[Love (The Cult album)|Love]]'' (1985)
*''[[Electric (The Cult album)|Electric]]'' (1987)
*''[[Sonic Temple]]'' (1989)
*''[[Ceremony (The Cult album)|Ceremony]]'' (1991)
*''[[The Cult (album)|The Cult]]'' (1994)
*''[[Beyond Good and Evil (album)|Beyond Good and Evil]]'' (2001)
*''[[Born into This]]'' (2007)
*''[[Choice of Weapon]]'' (2012)
*''[[Hidden City (album)|Hidden City]]'' (2016)
*''[[Under the Midnight Sun (album)|Under the Midnight Sun]]'' (2022)

=== Holy Barbarians ===
*''[[Holy Barbarians (band)|Cream]]'' (1996)

=== Solo ===
*''[[Spirit\Light\Speed]]'' (2000)

===Guest appearances===
{{BLP sources section|date=March 2023}}
* [[Care (band)|Care]] band by Ian Broudie, Paul Simpson (1983) Very short-lived band whose album "Love Crowns And Crucifies" (a collaboration between the duo with Ian Astbury, Paul Sangster, Tony Wikelan and Alan Wills never saw the light of day due to Simpson and Broudie's opposing musical views and imminent split a year later.
* [[Debbie Harry|Deborah Harry]], ''[[Def, Dumb & Blonde]]'' (1989) – backing vocals on "Lovelight"<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |id=W4-25938 |title=[[Def, Dumb & Blonde]] |type=liner notes |publisher=[[Sire Records]] |year=1989}}</ref>
* [[The Fuzztones]] — (1989) "Down On The Street" guest vocals
* [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]], ''[[Fire and Gasoline]]'' (1989) – Co-producer, words , Percussion , backing and lead vocals
* [[The Four Horsemen (band)|The Four Horsemen]], ''Rockin Is Ma Business'' (1991) – percussion, backing vocals
* [[Messiah (UK band)|Messiah]], ''21st Century Jesus'' (1993) – vocals on "Creator" and samplers on more 4 songs <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/21st-century-jesus-us-mw0000105698|work=[[AllMusic]]|title=21st Century Jesus [US] – Messiah {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* [[Circus of Power]], ''Magic and Madness'' (1993) – vocals on "Shine"
* [[The Orb]],  (1995) vocals on (unreleased track) "The Shinning Path"
* [[Zen Mafia]],  (1999) Choir, Chorus on – "California"
* [[The Wondergirls]], (1999)  backing vocals on "Let's Go All The Way"
* [[Tony Iommi]], (2000)''[[Iommi (album)|Iommi]]'' – vocals on "Flame On"
* Various artists. ''[[Stoned Immaculate: The Music of The Doors]]'' (2000) – vocals on "Touch Me" and ´´Wild Child´´
* [[Witchman]], (2001) Samples the song Tyger off Ian Astbury's solo record Spirit\Light\Speed  "Angel Art"
* [[Zilch (band)|Zilch]] guest vocalist (2001) songs "Ape Messiah", "Make The Motherfuckers Wake Up!", 	"Tekmotopsyshosister - Virusmaker7"
* Various artists, ''Sonic Revolution: A Celebration of [[MC5|The MC5]]'' (2001) – vocals on "[[Kick Out the Jams]]"
* [[Unkle]], ''[[War Stories (album)|War Stories]]'' (2006) – vocals on "[[Burn My Shadow]]" and "When Things Explode"
* [[Slash (musician)|Slash]], ''[[Slash (album)|Slash]]'' (2010) – vocals on "Ghost"
* [[The Fuzztones]] - (2010) "Cheyenne Rider" *recorded in 1989 and another 5 songs live 
* [[Japanese Cartoon]]  – (2010) ''[[In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death]]'' drums on "Gasp"
* [[Boris (band)|Boris]] and Ian Astbury, ''[[BXI (EP)|BXI]]'' EP (2010)
* Boris, ''[[Heavy Rocks (2011 album)|Heavy Rocks]]'' (2011) – backing vocals on "Riot Sugar"
* Unkle, ''[[Only the Lonely (EP)|Only the Lonely]]'' EP (2011) – vocals on bonus track "Forever"
* [[The Fuzztones]] (2013) ''[[Snake Oil]]'' vocals on "Kick Out The Jams (Live)" 
* [[George Harrison]] (2016) ''[[George Fest: A Night To Celebrate The Music Of George Harrison]]'' vocals on "Be Here Now"
* [[David Bowie]] (2017) ''[[Cast - Celebrating David Bowie – Celebrating David Bowie]]'' vocals on "Rock 'n Roll Suicide"
* [[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"
* [[Black Asteroid]] (2024) ''[[Infinite Darkness]]'' vocals on "Dirge Out"

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://thecult.us/ The Cult official website]
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000072959}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1039312}}
* [http://www.zani.co.uk/music/452-ian-astbury-zani-speak-to-the-man Ian Astbury interview 2010]

{{The Cult}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Astbury, Ian}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Association football players not categorized by nationality]]
[[Category:English baritones]]
[[Category:English emigrants to Canada]]
[[Category:English heavy metal singers]]
[[Category:English male songwriters]]
[[Category:English people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:English rock singers]]
[[Category:British gothic rock musicians]]
[[Category:Hollywood United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Men's association football players not categorized by position]]
[[Category:People from Heswall]]
[[Category:The Cult members]]
[[Category:The Wondergirls members]]