The Jesus and Mary Chain’s current members are brothers Jim Reid and William Reid, Mark Crozer, Scott Von Ryper and Justin Welch. The Scottish alternative rock band was formed in East Kilbride in 1983 by the Reid brothers, who are its only consistent members. Around them, more than a dozen bassists, guitarists and especially drummers have come and gone, including Bobby Gillespie, who left to concentrate on Primal Scream.
The band split in 1999 and reunited in 2007. Here is every member, current and former, with the roles and years given in the band’s history.
Jim Reid (1983–1999, 2007–present)
Co-founder and lead vocalist, who also plays guitar, bass and synthesizers. He and his brother write the band’s songs.
William Reid (1983–1999, 2007–present)
Co-founder on guitar, bass, vocals and synthesizers. The brothers’ songwriting partnership is the core of the band.
Douglas Hart (1984–1991)
Bassist in the first line-up the Reids recruited. He was a member through the Psychocandy, Darklands and Automatic albums and left two years after Automatic.
Murray Dalglish (1984)
The drummer in the first line-up the Reids put together, around the time the band signed to Creation Records and released its first single, “Upside Down,” in 1984.
Bobby Gillespie (1984–1986, 2017)
Replaced Dalglish on drums and played on the 1985 debut album Psychocandy. He left to work on his own band, Primal Scream, and briefly returned in 2017.
John Moore (1985–1987, 2012)
Played drums from 1985 to 1986 and rhythm guitar from 1986 to 1987, and appeared again in 2012.
Martin Hewes (1986)
One of several short-term drummers in 1986.
James Pinker (1986)
Another drummer from 1986.
Dave Evans (1987–1989)
Rhythm guitarist in the late 1980s.
Richard Thomas (1988–1990)
Drummer from 1988 to 1990.
Ben Lurie (1989–1998)
Rhythm guitarist, bassist and organist for nearly a decade, through the Honey’s Dead and Stoned & Dethroned years.
Steve Monti (1990–1995)
Drummer in the first half of the 1990s.
Matthew Parkin (1992)
Bassist in 1992.
Barry Blackler (1992)
Drummer in 1992.
Nick Sanderson (1993–1998)
Drummer from 1993 to 1998. He died in 2008.
Lincoln Fong (1994–1995)
Bassist from 1994 to 1995.
Geoff Donkin (1998)
Drummer in 1998, the year before the split.
Phil King (1998, 2007–2015)
Bassist and rhythm guitarist in 1998 and again after the 2007 reunion, until 2015.
Loz Colbert (2007–2008)
Drummer for the reunion in 2007 and 2008.
Mark Crozer (2007–2008, 2012–present)
Rhythm guitarist in 2007–2008 and 2012, and the band’s bassist since 2013, with backing vocals.
Brian Young (2012–2021)
Drummer from 2012 to 2021, covering the Damage and Joy era.
Scott Von Ryper (2015–present)
Guitarist and backing vocalist since 2015.
Justin Welch (2021–present)
The current drummer, since 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who founded the Jesus and Mary Chain? Brothers Jim and William Reid, in East Kilbride in 1983.
- Was Bobby Gillespie in the Jesus and Mary Chain? Yes, as drummer from 1984 to 1986, before he left to work on Primal Scream.
- When did the Jesus and Mary Chain split and reunite? They broke up in 1999 and reunited in 2007. Damage and Joy followed in 2017 and Glasgow Eyes in 2024.
- What are their biggest UK hits? Darklands reached No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart in 1987, and its single “April Skies” peaked at No. 8.
For related Scottish and British alternative bands, see the complete lists of Primal Scream band members, My Bloody Valentine band members and Ride band members.
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