A very Melodic yet heavy act, BONFIRE evolved from the Bavarian outfit CACUMEN, having been founded during 1972 had previously released two albums in the early 80's before the nucleus of vocalist Claus Lessmann and guitarists Hans Ziller and Horst Maier-Thorn chose to re-invent themselves in what would turn out to be fairly spectacular fashion.

The band earned favourable reviews with the debut BONFIRE release, 'Don't Touch The Light', in 1986 it would be the sophomore effort, 'Fireworks', that broke the group in their native Germany. In the midst of line-up changes the Michael Wagener produced album utilised the services of FIFTH ANGEL drummer Ken Mary along with homegrown keyboard player Martin Ernst. The record sold well over 100'000 copies, securing a place in the national album charts for over 30 weeks and led to a support tour with JUDAS PRIEST following the cancellation of original guests CINDERELLA for the British Metal legends' 1988 'Ram It Down' European trek. Still lacking a permanent drummer at this time, BONFIRE added ex-SINNER and TYRAN PACE drummer Edgar Patrick to the touring line-up, and the band also appeared at the Reading Festival the same year.

Returning to the studio, once more with Michael Wagener at the helm, BONFIRE encountered several line-up problems during the recording of what would become third album 'Point Blank'

The band had added ex SINNER / PRETTY MAIDS guitarist Angel Schliefer in place of Horst Maier Thorn, who was forced to give up playing due to rheumatism, but, significantly, also lost founding member Hans Ziller, who formed EZ LIVIN' upon his departure, releasing one album.

'Point Blank' tended to improve BONFIRE's stature, especially now with the support of major label RCA/BMG, the ensuing 'Knockout' - a record intended to break the group on an International scale, proved a huge disappointment both in terms of sales and to fans of the band.

Produced by veteran producer Mack, the 'Knockout' album merely served to display that BONFIRE's best was, perhaps, behind them, especially having been persuaded to cover of an uninspiring version of the BILLY SQUIER hit 'The Stroke' by the producer, who had, of course, been involved with the original. With the disappointment of 'Knockout' it was only a matter of time before the group would call it a day.

Schliefer founded DEMON DRIVE. Upon BONFIRE's split, Claus Lessmann teamed up with old pal Hans Ziller to form the German speaking LESSMANN / ZILLER project, achieving considerable success in their homeland. However, the temptation to reunite as BONFIRE for Lessman and Ziller grew too much and litigation was entered into in order to wrest the band title away from the currently operational band members. Lessman and Ziller won the argument in court and the duo, now rightfully billed as BONFIRE once more, issued the 'Feels Like Coming Home' album in 1996 through new label Sony.

Joerg Deisinger and Angel Schlieffer hooked up with American singer PAUL SABU, a well respected name from his solo works and outfits such as KIDD GLOVE and ONLY CHILD, to form a new version of his former act SABU. The resulting product, seeing Derek Smith on drums, was considerably heavier than past SABU material, taking on a harder sound and with Paul Sabu's voice remarkably rougher in approach. This band also cut the 1998 'Between The Light' album, this effort, including a cover version of STEVIE WONDER's 'I Was Made To Love Her', having both Smith and Tony Montana sessioning on drums. Ultimately the US / German axis divided, Schlieffer issuing the CHARADE album in Japan whilst Deisinger founded SOUL DOCTOR before reforging DEMON DRIVE.

1997's 'Rebel Soul' found Lessman and Zuller's BONFIRE getting back to their roots with a determined effort to try to recreate the earthier stance of 'Don't Touch The Light' and 'Fireworks'. Lessmann and Ziller were now joined by FRONTLINE guitarist / keyboard player Chris Lausmann, bassist Uwe Köhler and drummer Jürgen Wiehler.

In a display of bonhomie, BONFIRE personnel past and present, including Lessman, Ziller, Schliefer and Diesinger (who had since founded the USG record label), all added their contributions to the Japanese released debut AFFAIR album, 'Face To Face', the same year.

By 1999 BONFIRE, maintaining a stable line up for once, had come full circle resigning to BMG. The same year Deisinger and Schliefer forged the CHARADE project with ex-JADED HEART vocalist Michael Bormann for a self titled album. Diesinger also contributed to the 2000 act SOUL DOCTOR formed by ex-FAIR WARNING vocalist Tommy Heart.

BONFIRE were back in action in March of 2001 with the 'Strike Ten' album. Touring in Germany during April saw support from the reformed DOMAIN. The following year 'Strike Ten' would be licensed to Z Records for a UK release, the band scheduled an April 2002 British tour as back up. The UK release would boast two exclusive tracks, namely 'Angel In White' and 'Take Me By The Hand'. Chris Lausmann would opt out of the band that same year in order to prioritise his main concern FRONTLINE.

An unexpected twist in the BONFIRE story occurred in 2003. SOUL DOCTOR, whilst on the road in February, suddenly lost the services of Joerg Deisinger. He re-appeared in alliance with PAUL SABU and Angel Schliefer in March of 2003 re-billed as SABU. The album 'Unsurfaced' was promptly issued, in actuality a reissue of their two previous albums in one package. The new look SABU would be completed with the addition of early BONFIRE drummer Dominic Huelshorst.

Back with the official version of BONFIRE the European 'Golden Bullets' tour spawned a double live album 'Live Over Europe', marketed through the band's own LZ label. BONFIRE would be back on on the road in May 2003, having pulled off the valuable support slot to WHITESNAKE's German dates. UK shows would be projected but then curtailed due to illness.

BONFIRE celebrated the dawn of 2004 in fine fashion, learning that the 'Fireworks' album had just been awarded gold sales status in Germany for over 250,000 units sold. The band, alongside DORO, SAXON, EDGUY, CRYSTAL BALL and IN EXTREMO would also be among acts participating in the 27th January 2005 'Rock for Asia' festival held at the Saturn Arena in Ingolstadt, Germany to benefit the victims of the December Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

BONFIRE returned for a twentieth anniversary album, 'Double X', in April 2006. The band roster for these sessions saw Claus Lessmann and Hans Ziller joined by guitarist Chris Limburg, bass player Uwe Köhler and drummer Jürgen Wiehler.

The Munich based Yesterrock label re-issued 'Don't Touch The Light', 'Point Blank' and 'Fireworks' in June 2009, all these editions adding extra tracks.

Garry Sharpe-Young