Ian Astbury

Ian Astbury (born May 14 1962) is an English rock singer and lyricist. Astbury's career began with the Southern Death Cult, a 1980s progressive-punk band. Personnel and stylistic changes transmutated the band into Death Cult, and then

Ian Astbury (born May 14 1962) is an English rock singer and lyricist. Astbury's career began with the Southern Death Cult, a 1980s progressive-punk band. Personnel and stylistic changes transmutated the band into Death Cult, and then The Cult, the most successful British hard rock band of the late 1980's and early 90's.

With the 1984 release of their first album Dreamtime, The Cult were the darlings of the Indie post-punk scene, their chart topping "Spiritwalker" single having held at number one for three months. Their second album, Love, evoked memories of 1960's psychedelia such as The Doors, and the Pretty Things. It also featured their now classic hit "She Sells Sanctuary", which introduced them to an international audience. On their third album, Electric, The Cult made a radical transformation to hard rock reminiscent of AC/DC and Aerosmith with the help of Rick Rubin. This further broadened their audience as rock began making a comeback in the late 1980's. Guns N' Roses, who were heavily influenced by Electric, opened for The Cult on their 1987 North American tour, before going on to sell millions of copies of their debut album Appetite For Destruction.