Marillion

Marillion are a British progressive rock band from Aylesbury, England, formed in 1979 and active since then. They emerge from the post-punk scene and develop a sound that combines punk energy with classic progressive rock, later becoming closely associated with neo-progressive rock. Their line-up has included Steve Rothery, Doug Irvine, Brian Jelliman, Fish, Diz Minnitt, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, Andy Ward, John Marter, Jonathan Mover, Ian Mosley, Steve Hogarth and Mick Pointer.

Early years and first releases

The band release their debut single, Market Square Heroes, in 1982 and follow it with their first studio album, Script for a Jester's Tear, in 1983. Their early period establishes them as one of the most commercially successful neo-prog acts of the 1980s.

Success with Fish

Between 1983 and 1994, Marillion achieve eight UK Top 10 albums. Their 1985 album Misplaced Childhood reaches No. 1 in the UK and produces the Top 10 singles “Kayleigh” and “Lavender”. Their 1987 album Clutching at Straws includes the Top 10 single “Incommunicado” and is the final studio album to feature original singer Fish, who leaves for a solo career in 1988. During the Fish era, the band score 11 UK Top 40 singles, and “Kayleigh” also enters the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Steve Hogarth era

Steve Hogarth joins as lead singer in 1989. The first album with him, Seasons End, reaches the UK Top 10, and later albums continue to chart. After leaving EMI following the live album Made Again, the band’s mainstream profile declines, but they later experience a resurgence in the mid- to late-2000s. With Hogarth, they achieve 12 more UK Top 40 singles, including “You’re Gone”, which reaches No. 7 and becomes their biggest hit of this period.

Albums, labels and later recognition

Marillion have released 20 studio albums, including Brave, Afraid of Sunlight, This Strange Engine, Radiation, marillion.com, Anoraknophobia, Marbles, Somewhere Else, Happiness Is the Road, Less Is More, Sounds That Can't Be Made, Fuck Everyone and Run (F E A R), With Friends from the Orchestra and An Hour Before It's Dark. Their labels include Willowcreek Entertainment, Front Row Club and Racket. In 2016, Fuck Everyone and Run (F E A R) returns them to the UK Albums Chart Top 10 for the first time since Brave, and An Hour Before It's Dark reaches No. 2 in 2022.

Legacy

The band are recognised as pioneers of fan-funded music and crowdfunding, and they sell more than 15 million albums worldwide. They continue to tour internationally and are ranked 38th in Classic Rock’s list of the 50 Best Live Acts of All Time in 2008.