Arena

Arena are a British neo-progressive rock musical group. History edit: Arena was founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan keyboardist of Pendragon and Shadowland, and Mick Pointer, the original drummer of Marillion, his tenure lasting from 1979 until 1983. The other founding members of the band were guitarist Keith More, vocalist John Carson, and bassist Cliff Orsi. Orsi was replaced by John Jowitt (of IQ) in the band's inaugural year, whilst Carson and More left the band in 1996 and 1997, and were replaced by Paul Wrightson and John Mitchell (of Frost*) respectively. Both Jowitt and Wrightson left the band in 1998, to be replaced by Ian Salmon and Rob Sowden, creating the band's most stable lineup to date (from 1998 until 2010). This lineup came to an end with Paul Manzi replacing Sowden in 2010. In 2011, Jowitt rejoined the band to replace the departing Salmon. Most of the band's lyrics are written by Nolan, though Pointer contributed lyrics to Sirens and other tracks on the first two albums. Musically the band's style ranges from symphonic to hard rock. Some of the band's recent albums have a similar sound to Nolan's earlier band, Shadowland. Allmusic called them one of the dominant neo-prog groups of the 1990s. Personnel edit: Members edit: Current members Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals (1995-present), Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals (1995-present), John Jowitt - bass, backing vocals (1995-1998, 2011-present), John Mitchell - guitars (1997-present), Paul Manzi - vocals (2010-present), Former members Keith More - guitars, backing vocals (1995-1997), John Carson - vocals (1995-1996), Cliff Orsi - bass (1995), Paul Wrightson - vocals (1996-1998), Ian Salmon - bass (1998-2011), Rob Sowden - vocals (1998-2010), Lineups edit: 1995 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 John Carson - vocals, Keith More - guitars, backing vocals, Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals, Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals, Cliff Orsi - bass, John Carson - vocals, Keith More - guitars, backing vocals, Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals, Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals, John Jowitt - bass, backing vocals, Keith More - guitars, backing vocals, Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals, Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals, John Jowitt - bass, backing vocals, Paul Wrightson - vocals, Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals, Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals, John Jowitt - bass, backing vocals, Paul Wrightson - vocals, John Mitchell - guitars, 1998-2010 2010-2011 2011-present Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals, Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals, John Mitchell - guitars, Ian Salmon - bass, Rob Sowden - vocals, Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals, Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals, John Mitchell - guitars, Ian Salmon - bass, Paul Manzi - vocals, Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals, Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals, John Mitchell - guitars, Paul Manzi - vocals, John Jowitt - bass, backing vocals

Source: Wikipedia

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