Balaam and the Angel

Biography

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.
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)