List of Anthrax members

Anthrax was originally formed in 1981 by Scott Ian, Dan Lilker, Joe Gelione and Dave Weiss.[1] A few months later, John Connelly and Paul Kahn took over on lead vocals and bass guitar respectively, and Lilker switched to rhythm guitar.[2][3]

The band went through many lineup changes in its early stages – Connelly was replaced by Dirk Kennedy, followed by Ian's brother Jason Rosenfeld, then Tommy Wise;[3] Greg Walls spent two years with the group on lead guitar.[4][5] Ian himself switched to rhythm guitar. Walls was briefly replaced by Bob Berry.

Kahn was replaced by Kenny Kushner, before Lilker took over on bass guitar when Walls joined; Weiss was replaced by Greg D'Angelo.[6][3] The band eventually settled in 1983 with a lineup including Ian and Lilker, lead vocalist Neil Turbin (who joined in August 1982),[7][6] Dan Spitz (lead guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums). [6][8]

After signing with Jon Zazula's new thrash metal label Megaforce Records later in the year, Anthrax recorded its debut album Fistful of Metal.[8]

Shortly after its January 28, 1984 release, Turbin fired Lilker without consulting with the other members of the band, although Ian has since admitted that "there were issues" with the bassist.[9] He was replaced by Frank Bello.[10] After that, Ian remained the only original member in the group.

Tensions continued to grow between Turbin and the rest of the group as they toured throughout 1984, leading to his eventual departure in August 10,[7][6][11] after the first North American tour "Anthrax US Attack Tour 1984" and the final show at the Roseland Ballroom.[6]

Turbin was briefly replaced by Matt Fallon,[12][13][14] before Joey Belladonna joined on December 27 in the same year.[15]

After recording four studio albums with the band, Belladonna was fired from Anthrax in 1992 due to stylistic changes the group intended to take, with John Bush taking his place.[16]

Dan Spitz left Anthrax in 1995 to become a professional watchmaker.[17] Guitars on Stomp 442 were recorded by Ian, Benante, Paul Crook and Pantera's Dimebag Darrell.[18] Crook remained with Anthrax for touring and recording after the release of Stomp 442, although never became an official member.[19] He was replaced in August 15, 2001 by former Boiler Room guitarist Rob Caggiano.[20] Bello briefly left in March 4, 2004 to join Helmet, with Joey Vera temporarily taking his place.[21]

It was announced in March 24, 2005 that Belladonna, Spitz and Bello would return to Anthrax for a reunion tour and potentially new recordings.[22] Alive 2 was recorded on the tour, but by January 24, 2007 the reunion had fallen through as Belladonna had reportedly chosen not to continue working with the other members.[23]

By the end of 2007, the group had enlisted Dan Nelson as its new lead vocalist and brought back Caggiano.[24] However, after recording a new album with the band, Nelson left in July 21, 2009 and was replaced for future tour dates by Bush.[25]

Belladonna returned to Anthrax the following year, making his first appearance at June's "big four" show and re-recording vocals on the album Worship Music.[26] Caggiano left the band in January 4, 2013,[27] with Shadows Fall guitarist Jon Donais taking his place a week later.[28]