List of Grim Reaper band members
Grim Reaper were an English heavy metal band from Droitwich Spa. Formed in 1979, the group originally featured vocalist Paul De Mercado, guitarist Nick Bowcott, bassist Kevin Neale and drummer Lee Harris. After disbanding in 1981, the band reunited a year later with new vocalist Steve Grimmett, who fronted the band until their breakup in 1988. Grimmett subsequently reformed Grim Reaper in 2006 with guitarist Ian Nash, bassist Ritchie Walker and drummer Pete Newdeck. The final lineup of the band, active until Grimmett's death in August 2022, featured Nash alongside bassist Julian Hill and drummer Steve Grice, both of whom joined in 2018.
History
1979–1988
Guitarist Nick Bowcott formed Grim Reaper in 1979 with vocalist Paul De Mercado, bassist Kevin Neale and drummer Lee Harris.[1][2] Harris was soon replaced by Adrian Jacques, before Dave Wanklin took over from Neale, who left to attend university.[3] Shortly after recording their first demo Bleed 'Em Dry, Wanklin left due to "personality issues",[3] with Phil Matthews taking his place.[4] Shortly thereafter, Jacques also left to attend university,[3] with Brian Parry taking his place on drums.[5] By the end of 1981, Grim Reaper had disbanded,[6] reportedly due to "a rift" between Bowcott and De Mercado.[3]
In May 1982, Bowcott introduced a new lineup of the band, initially dubbed "Grim Reaper II", which featured new vocalist Steve Grimmett alongside returning members Dave Wanklin and Lee Harris.[7] The new lineup released the band's first full-length album, See You in Hell, in November 1983.[8] By early 1985, Harris had been replaced by Mark Simon, who debuted on that May's Fear No Evil album.[9] This was followed in September 1987 by the band's third album, Rock You to Hell.[10] Prior to touring for the album, Wanklin left for "health reasons",[3] with Geoff Curtis taking his place.[11] Curtis toured with the band into 1988, but was later replaced by Benje Brittan as, according to Bowcott, he "never really committed himself".[11] Before the end of the year, Grim Reaper disbanded due to record label disputes.[12]
2006–2022
In February 2006, Steve Grimmett reformed Grim Reaper with an entirely new lineup consisting of guitarist Ian Nash, bassist Ritchie Walker and drummer Pete Newdeck.[13] This lineup released the album Personal Crisis in 2007, which was instead credited to Grimmett as a solo release.[14] The band subsequently changed their name to "Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper", to differentiate it from the original incarnation.[15] By 2010, Walker and Newdeck had been replaced by Chaz Grimaldi and Mark Rumble, respectively.[16] In 2011, the band issued their first release since reforming, the live EP Alive and Kicking.[10] In April 2014, Nick Bowcott performed with Grim Reaper for the first time since their breakup in 1988.[17] By the following month, Rumble had been replaced in the band's lineup by Paul "Needles" White.[18]
In late 2015, Nash took a break from the band to spend time with his family, with Richie Yeates temporarily taking his place.[19] Martin Trail took over on bass the next spring, contributing to the band's first studio album since 1987, Walking in the Shadows.[20] Nash returned briefly for a run of shows in the summer of 2016, with Steve Stine taking over in the autumn, before Nash returned again.[21] During shows throughout 2016, Bowcott returned again as an occasional guest performer.[22] By August 2018, Trail and White had been replaced by Julian Hill and Mark Pullin, respectively.[23] The new lineup released At the Gates in October 2019.[24] A live album recorded on their first tour, Reaping the Whirlwind, was released in 2022.[25] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grimmett and Bowcott reunited again for a remote performance.[26]
Steve Grimmett died on 15 August 2022.[27] Shortly after his death, the surviving Grim Reaper band members performed a festival set with Nick Bowcott and a range of guest vocalists, including Grimmett's son Russ and Jag Panzer's Harry Conklin.[28] Bowcott (with Conklin) later reunited with 1985–1987 members Dave Wanklin and Mark Simon for a performance in November 2024.[29]
Members
| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Bowcott |
|
|
all Grim Reaper releases from Bleed 'Em Dry (1981) to Rock You to Hell (1987) |
| Paul De Mercado | 1979–1981 | lead vocals | Bleed 'Em Dry (1981) |
| Kevin Neale | 1979 | bass | none |
| Lee Harris |
|
drums |
|
| Adrian "Angel" Jacques | 1979–1981 | Bleed 'Em Dry (1981) | |
| Dave "Chief" Wanklin |
|
bass | all Grim Reaper releases from Bleed 'Em Dry (1981) to Rock You to Hell (1987) |
| Phil Matthews | 1981 | none | |
| Brian Parry | drums | ||
| Steve Grimmett (1959–2022) |
|
lead vocals | all Grim Reaper releases except Bleed 'Em Dry (1981) |
| Mark Simon | 1985–1988 |
|
|
| Geoff Curtis | 1987–1988 |
|
none |
| Benje Brittan | 1988 | ||
| Ian Nash |
|
|
all Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper releases |
| Ritchie Walker | 2006–2010 |
|
none |
| Pete Newdeck | drums | ||
| Chaz Grimaldi | 2010–2016 |
|
Alive and Kicking (2011) |
| Mark Rumble | 2010–2014 | drums | |
| Paul "Needles" White | 2014–2018 | Walking in the Shadows (2016) | |
| Richie Yeates | 2015–2016 |
|
none |
| Martin Trail | 2016–2018 |
|
Walking in the Shadows (2016) |
| Steve Stine | 2016 |
|
none |
| Julian Hill | 2018–2022 |
|
|
| Mark Pullin | drums |
Timeline
Lineups
Lineups as Grim Reaper
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1979[1][2] |
|
none |
| 1979[3] |
| |
| 1979–1981[3] |
|
|
| 1981[4] |
|
none |
| 1981[5] |
| |
| Band inactive late 1981–early 1982 | ||
| May 1982[7]–early 1985[9] |
|
|
| Early 1985[9]–summer 1987[11] |
|
|
| Summer 1987–early 1988[11] |
|
none |
| Spring–summer 1988[11] |
| |
Lineups as Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| February 2006[13]–2010[16] |
|
none |
| 2010[16]–May 2014[18] |
|
|
| May 2014[18]–late 2015[19] |
|
none |
| Late 2015[19]–spring 2016[20] |
| |
| Spring[20]–summer 2016[21] |
|
|
| Summer–fall 2016[21] |
|
none |
| Fall–late 2016[21] |
| |
| Late 2016[21]–August 2018[23] |
| |
| August 2018[23]–August 2022[27] |
|
|
References
- ^ a b Gallina, Francesco (2 May 2013). "Almost Famous — #1 — Grim Reaper". Metallized (in Italian). Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b Larsson, Phantom (1984). "Grim Reaper". Heavy Metal Massacre (in Swedish). No. 2. Dals Långed, Sweden. p. 28. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Dave Wanklin Bio". Cloisterphobia. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b Gomez Paloma, Giuseppe (1981). "Grim Reaper". Godzilla (in Italian). No. 1. Italy. p. 24. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Grim Reaper". Sons do Apocalypse (in Portuguese). No. 11. Portugal. 1986. p. 6. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Grim Reaper". Godzilla (in Italian). No. 4. Italy. 1982. p. 5. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b Kristensen, Jes; Nielsen, Henrik (November 1983). "Grim Reaper II". Hot Rockin' (in Danish). No. 1. Denmark. p. 20. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ Fenske, Jürgen (18 September 2024). "Grim Reaper — See You In Hell Review". Metal.de (in German). Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Watch: Original Grim Reaper Members Perform Together For First Time In More Than 35 Years To Celebrate Steve Grimmett's Life". Blabbermouth.net. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b Tucker, John (August 2022). "Steve Grimmett (19 August 1959 – 15 August 2022) — A Personal Tribute". John Tucker Online. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Sharpe, Garry (August 1988). "Away Win". Metal Forces. No. 30. Stevenage, England. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Grim Reaper's Founding Guitarist Nick Bowcott Pays Tribute To Steve Grimmett: 'Your Voice Will Always Live On'". Blabbermouth.net. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Grim Reaper: New Touring Lineup Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 28 February 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Gustavsson, Patrik (26 October 2007). "Steve Grimmett — Personal Crisis". Metal Express Radio. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ J. Skeleton (21 June 2022). "Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper) Interview". Metal Plague. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Biography". Grim Reaper. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Video: Original Grim Reaper Members Steve Grimmett And Nick Bowcott Reunite At Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse". Blabbermouth.net. 15 April 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Original Grim Reaper Members Steve Grimmett And Nick Bowcott To Reunite For Three More Shows". Blabbermouth.net. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper Facebook Post on 4 December 2015". Facebook. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Hextall, Adrian (22 August 2016). "Grim Reaper "Walking In The Shadows" Album Review". My Global Mind. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper Bring Tour Back To North America Tonight". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper To Be Joined By Nick Bowcott On Stage In L.A., Phoenix". Blabbermouth.net. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper Facebook Post on 22 August 2018". Facebook. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper To Release 'At The Gates' Album In October". Blabbermouth.net. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Olivier (21 September 2022). "Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper: 'Reaping The Whirlwind'". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Grim Reaper Members Reunite Remotely For 'Quarantine Jam' Of Black Sabbath Classic 'Heaven And Hell'". Blabbermouth.net. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Steve Grimmett's Wife & Former Manager Explains Passing Of Late Grim Reaper Vocalist, Reveals Funeral Arrangements; Video". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Watch: Steve Grimmett Honored By Grim Reaper's Nick Bowcott And Son Russ Grimmett At Keep It True Rising Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Watch: Original Grim Reaper Members Perform Together For First Time In More Than 35 Years To Celebrate Steve Grimmett's Life". Blabbermouth.net. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.