44 Magnum (stylized as 44MAGNUM) are a Japanese heavy metal band, originally formed in

Osaka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Osaka Prefecture has a population of 8,778,035 () and has a geographic area of . Osaka Prefecture borders Hyōgo Prefecture to the northwest, Kyoto Prefecture to the north, Nara ...

in mid-1977. They were one of the first

Japanese metal is heavy metal music from Japan. The country's first metal bands formed in the mid-to-late 1970s. The number of acts increased significantly in the next decade, but only a few saw their material released internationally, including Europe and North ...

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''. Joe left the band in 1988. 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 featuring new members Shuse, formerly of La'cryma Christi, on bass and Stevie, Paul's son, as a lead singer alongside Paul on most of the tracks. In early 2012, frontman and sole original member Paul announced he would stop performing live shows to focus on his treatment for

Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a neurodegenerative disease primarily of the central nervous system, affecting both motor system, motor and non-motor systems. Symptoms typically develop gradually and non-motor issues become ...

, which he was diagnosed with in 2005. However, he continues to record and write songs with the band, and still makes occasional 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

Current 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) Support members * Anarchy Bad Ray – bass (2010) * Sexx George – bass (2022–present) Former members * Akira Nagamori – guitar (1977–1981) * Taka Tanaka – bass (1977–1982) * Hirofumi Miyamoto – drums (1977–1980) * Teruki Iga – drums (1979–1982) * Shuse – bass (2009–2012) * 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 website
Japanese heavy metal musical groups Japanese hard rock musical groups Japanese musical quintets Musical groups established in 1977 Musical groups disestablished in 1989 Musical groups reestablished in 2002 Musical groups from Osaka Prefecture {{Japan-band-stub