KERRY KING, MIKE PORTNOY Added To MARSHALL 50th-Anniversary Event

The lineup for Marshall's 50th-anniversary event just got louder with the addition of more names to the already storming lineup. Former DREAM THEATER drummer and progressive metal legend Mike Portnoy joins hit songwriter and founding member of FREE, Andy Fraser, and all-round thrash metal superstar and co-founder of SLAYER, Kerry King, for this rock and roll spectacular at Wembley Arena in London, England on Saturday, September 22. The luminaries will unite with rock and roll's biggest stars to celebrate the life and work of revolutionary amp pioneer Jim Marshall with an unparalleled display of rock virtuosity.

Following the sad news of Jim's death in April, the event, which was already planned to commemorate Marshall's 50th anniversary, will now be held in honor of the legendary man and his remarkable life. The groundbreaking artist lineup is as pioneering as the brand itself and includes global rock royalty from such bands as IRON MAIDEN, SLIPKNOT, WHITESNAKE, CHICKENFOOT, THE CULT, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DEEP PURPLE, JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH and many more. The Marshall team is bringing together the biggest rock gods on the planet, all of whom are keen to pay their respects to the legend that was Jim Marshall.

IRON MAIDEN's Nicko McBrain will compère the event and will be joined by the world's most legendary guitarists, acclaimed musicians and Marshall enthusiasts. Just added to the bill is ex-JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens, who joins former TRAPEZE, DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH vocalist and bassist Glenn Hughes. Also scheduled to appear are multiple Grammy nominee and CHICKENFOOT guitarist Joe Satriani, Ozzy Osbourne collaborator and founder of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Zakk Wylde, one of rock's premiere virtuoso guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen, technical wizard and one of GuitarOne magazine's "Top 10 Greatest Guitar Shredders of All Time" Paul Gilbert, WHITESNAKE's Doug Aldrich and Brian Tichy, THE CULT's Billy Duffy and SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor.

Talking about the event, Nicko McBrain commented: "This is truly a celebration of a British icon — Marshall. Beyond doubt, Jim Marshall shaped the sound of rock music for eternity! Words cannot describe how pioneering Jim Marshall was! We're bringing together beyond-legendary artists for a true celebration of Jim's life. There is no better way to commemorate Jim's amazing life than putting on the loudest event ever. Expect pure rock and roll madness amplified to the max by Marshall!"

Talking about the much loved "Father of Loud," Joe Satriani commented: "He created the tone we all cherish in rock: big, bold, and beautiful and in your face. With every power chord, soaring melody and searing lead we will continue to salute his legacy!"

A sentiment echoed by Yngwie Malmsteen, who commented: "Every day I plug in the studio or stage, he will always be there."

Doug Aldrich added; "Jim will shine on forever... He was maybe the single biggest influence in music."

And Glenn Hughes said "A brilliant man and dear friend... rock musos worldwide will miss him dearly..."

With Zakk Wylde concluding: "God bless father Marshall... The saying goes leave this world a better place than before you got here. He did.

Paul Marshall, head of artist liaison and part of the Marshall dynasty, commented: "Family has always been at the heart of everything Marshall does and all Marshall owners are very much part of the 'Marshall family.' It has been so heartening to see the amazing tributes paid to Dad over the past few weeks. He certainly made a huge impact on the world! This event aims to be a fitting tribute to Dad's life and we are honoured so many artists want to get involved!"

Tickets for the event are on sale now priced at £35.00 and are available via LiveNation.co.uk.

Marshall died in April at the age of 88. A message posted at the web site of Marshall Amplification, the company he founded 50 years ago, stated, "Jim's ascent into the history books as 'the Father of Loud' and the man responsible for 'the Sound of Rock' is a true rags-to-riches tale. Cruelly robbed of his youth by tubercular bones, Jim rose to become one of the four forefathers responsible for creating the tools that allowed rock guitar as we know and love it today to be born. The groundbreaking quartet also included the late, great trio of Leo Fender, Les Paul and Seth Lover — together with Jim, they truly are the cornerstones of all things rock."

The site described Marshall as "a legendary man who led a full and truly remarkable life."

The cause of Marshall's death was not announced.

A former singer, drummer and music shop owner, Marshall eventually landed a job as an electrical engineer that helped him design a transportable amplifier to use at his own live shows. Consulting with musicians like THE WHO's Pete Townshend and DEEP PURPLE's Ritchie Blackmore, Marshall refined his invention and opened Marshall Amplification in 1962.

By the mid-1960s, he had created the classic Marshall Stack, consisting of one head containing the actual amplifier, on top of two stacked loudspeaker cabinets each containing four 12-inch loudspeakers arranged in a square layout. The setup has become an iconic symbol of rock music played as loud as possible.