Tygers of Pan Tang

Tygers of Pan Tang
Background information
Origin	Whitley Bay, England
Genres	Heavy metal
Years active	1978–1987, 1999–present
Labels	Neat, MCA, Music for Nations, Zebra, Spectrum, Spitfire, Z, Angel Air, Communiqué, Hallmark, Castle, Livewire
Associated acts	Persian Risk, Lionheart, Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Shadowkeep
Website	Official website
Members	Robb Weir Gav Gray Craig Ellis Jacopo Meille Micky Crystal
Past members	Past members

Tygers of Pan Tang are a heavy metal band, part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. They formed in 1978 in Whitley Bay, England, and were active until 1987. The band reformed in 1999 and continue to record and perform. The name is derived from Pan Tang, a fictional archipelago in Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné fantasy series whose wizards keep tigers as pets.

The Tygers of Pan Tang was originally formed by Robb Weir (guitar), Richard "Rocky" Laws (bass), Jess Cox (vocals) and Brian Dick (drums). They played in working men's clubs and were first signed by local independent label Neat Records before MCA gave them a major record deal. After several singles, they released their first album, Wild Cat, in 1980. The album reached No. 18 in the UK Album Chart in the first week of its release.

Subsequently John Sykes (formerly of Streetfighter, later in Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder) was added as second guitarist. Jess Cox had a falling out with the others and quit, to be replaced by Persian Risk vocalist Jon Deverill. This lineup released Spellbound in 1981.

Sykes quit after the release of the third album, Crazy Nights, to audition for Ozzy Osbourne's band. He was replaced by ex-Penetration guitarist Fred Purser who had to learn the set in two days before touring.

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