Balaam and the Angel are a Scottish rock band founded by Mark, James (Jim), and Desmond (Des) Morris in Cannock, England in 1984.^[1][2]

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As children in Motherwell, Scotland, the Morris brothers worked in the entertainment industry as part of a cabaret act.^[3] They moved south to Cannock, Staffordshire, England. where they formed Balaam and the Angel.^[4]

Initially the band self-released a series of EP's and an album entitled Sun Family^[5] via their own Chapter 22 label and played some tour dates opening for The Cult.^[4] This caught the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them and released their debut album, The Greatest Story Ever Told.^[6][4] It peaked at No. 67 in the UK Albums Chart in August 1986.^[7] They toured in the United States with The Mission, Kiss and label mate Iggy Pop.^{[citation needed]}

A second guitarist and the first non-sibling, Ian McKean of Twenty Flight Rockers,^{[8][9][10][11]} was added to the band in 1988.^[4] The band began to move away from gothic rock music styles into a sound that had more in common with hard rock. With their new-found style, they recorded the album Live Free or Die.^[12] This was soon followed up in similar style when they recorded Days of Madness,^[13] before leaving Virgin Records.^[4] Their song I'll Show You Something Special appeared on the soundtrack for the film, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.^[14]

Their presence was largely ignored by the time that their 1993 album, Prime Time, had failed to interest record buyers.^[3]

• Mark Morris - vocals, bass (1983–1989, 1991–present)
• Jim Morris - guitar, keyboards (1983–1989, 1991–present)
• Des Morris - drums (1983–1989, 1991–present)
• Karen Morris - keyboards (2019–present)
• Chris P Notes (Chris Williams) - keyboards (1994–2019)
• Ian McKean - guitar (1988–1989, 1991–1994)

• Reading and Leeds Festivals line-ups