Joey Belladonna

Joey Belladonna (born Joseph Bellardini; October 13, 1960) is an American musician, best known as the vocalist for thrash metal band Anthrax. He is also the vocalist and drummer of the cover band Chief Big Way. Belladonna has six Grammy Award nominations and is known for his wild, energetic stage behaviour, and tenor vocal range.[1]

Joey Belladonna
Belladonna in 2013
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Bellardini
Born (1960-10-13) October 13, 1960
Oswego, New York, U.S.
GenresHeavy metal, thrash metal, power metal
Occupation(s)Singer, musician
InstrumentsVocals, drums
Years active1984–present
Associated actsAnthrax, Belladonna, Chief Big Way

Early life

Belladonna was born to an Italian American father and a Native American mother in Oswego, New York.[2] In his youth, Belladonna looked up to bands such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Kansas and Rush; bands that Belladonna said created "stuff that was very intricate but yet catchy and hooky you know, with great vocals."[3]

Career

Anthrax

Belladonna was the lead singer of Anthrax from 1984 to 1992, and was considered part of the classic-lineup (also featuring Dan Spitz, Scott Ian, Frank Bello and Charlie Benante).

The first time he was on a plane was a Plattsburgh-to-Ithaca flight for his audition for the band. After he was replaced by John Bush, he spent the next decade touring in minivans and taking odd jobs.[4]

Belladonna returned to the band when the "classic" lineup reunited and toured during 2005 and 2006.[5] He found out on the internet that he had been replaced again by Dan Nelson.[4]

Belladonna performing in 2010

His voice has been featured on six studio albums and several EPs that have sold a total of eight million copies worldwide. During Belladonna's first tenure with Anthrax, the band was nominated for three Grammys, and he was voted the No. 1 metal singer two years in a row in Metal Forces magazine.

In early 2010, Belladonna officially rejoined Anthrax in time for the "Big Four" shows at the Sonisphere festival. Following these and other shows, Belladonna returned to the studio with the band to record new vocals for their long-awaited album Worship Music.[6]

Since his return, Anthrax has been nominated for three additional Grammy awards.[7]

Belladonna / solo career

After his departure from Anthrax in 1992, Belladonna continued to make music in 'Belladonna', a solo project of which he has been the only consistent member.

In the mid-1990s, Belladonna released its self-titled debut album, which was well received by both critics and fans alike. The second album, Spells of Fear, was released in 1998 and was heavily criticized for bad production and poor musicianship. Demo recordings of a third album, which was never professionally mastered, was self-released by the band in 2003. It was a return to better songwriting and musicianship and like the debut album it was well received by the fans.

When asked whether he plans to release any more solo material in the future despite having re-joined Anthrax as a full-time member, Belladonna responded with:

"Yeah definitely. I’m working on some stuff and I have almost a full record worth of material sitting right here which is very well demoed up but it is still far from done in its own way. I just keep running out of time whether someone’s schedule is messed up or whatever it is happening at the time and it’s unfortunate. Now of course Anthrax is back on the go so I just don’t have the time to sit for hours with the material but there is definitely some cool metal here. By the time I get to do these songs I’ll probably have a fresh batch of ideas and songs to put on top of those. (...) I’d like to put another record out some day, put something out that I can again call my own as I have some great ideas."[8]

Belladonna also plays drums and sings lead vocals in a cover band named Chief Big Way which features mainly classic rock hits from the 1970s and 80s. The band, based around Syracuse, New York, plays small neighborhood bars.[9]

Discography

Belladonna solo
Title Date of release Label Notes
Belladonna 1995 Mausoleum Backing musicians include Darin Scott on guitar, John Hamilton on bass, and Scott Schroeter on drums. Joe Andrews was credited on bass guitar, but did not play on the recording.
Spells of Fear 1998 USG Records Backing musicians include Peter Scheithauer on guitar, Fleisch on bass guitar, and Stet Howland on drums.
03 2003 independent Includes co-writer Matt Zuber on lead, rhythm and bass guitars and Joey Belladonna on drums.
Artifacts I 2004 independent Backing musicians include Paul Crook (guitar), Paul Mocci (bass) and Jeff Tortora (drums). The tracks are demo versions for Belladonna album recorded in 1995. Some songs are previously unreleased.

Anthrax
Title Date of release Label Chart positions US sales
Spreading the Disease October 1985 Island 113
Among the Living March 22, 1987 62 Gold
State of Euphoria September 18, 1988 30 Gold
Persistence of Time August 21, 1990 24 Gold
Worship Music September 12, 2011 Megaforce 12
For All Kings February 26, 2016 Megaforce, Nuclear Blast 9

EPs

Compilation albums

Live albums

VHS/DVDs
  • US Speed Metal Attack (1986) (split video with Agent Steel and Overkill, recorded live in Germany)
  • Oidivnikufesin (1987) (recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon)
  • Through Time (1990)
  • Live Noize (1991) (recorded live on the Persistence of Time tour)
  • White Noise: The Videos (1994) (released only in Japan, complete collection of the Sound of White Noise music videos)
  • Attack of the Killer A's (1999) (includes live performances of the Persistence of Time tour)
  • Rock Legends (2004)
  • Anthrax Anthralogy: The DVD (2005) (includes live performances)
  • Alive 2 (2005) (DVD version)

References
  1. "A case of Anthrax". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  2. RAMIREZ, CARLOS. "10 Intriguing Facts About Anthrax Singer Joey Belladonna". Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  3. "ON THE SPOT – Anthrax: Joey Belladonna Interview".
  4. "Anthrax and Joey Belladonna Keep It In the Family | The Village Voice". www.villagevoice.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  5. Modern Guitars Archived October 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Blabbermouth". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
  7. "Joe Belladonna". GRAMMY.com. November 19, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  8. "Interview: Anthrax's Joey Belladonna – "I'm a great choice to have as a last resort" - EspyRock".
  9. Citizen, Maria Norris | Special to The. "Joey Belladonna talks balancing Anthrax and Chief Big Way, who comes to Auburn Friday". Auburn Citizen.
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