Jess Cox quit as vocalist for the TYGERS OF PAN TANG in 1981. Cox, who had performed on the TYGERS OF PAN TANG's 'Wildcat' album, was subsequently involved in the formation of NWoBHM 'Supergroup' LIONHEART, but lasted a mere one gig, although he did record an as yet unreleased album with the band. Interestingly, METALLICA were actually made an approach to Cox after his departure from the TYGERS OF PAN TANG; that is until they saw a photograph of him and, according to quotes from METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, the singer's dress sense put paid to any approachs!

Cox formed a new band in 1983 which featured guitarist Trevor Sewell, bassist Dave Donaldson and drummer Pete Rea. Cox's outfit, known as THE JESS COX BAND, supported METALLICA at London's Marquee in 1984 with a rather revised line-up of Cox, Donaldson, guitarists Neil Shepard and John Stormont and drummer Geoff Nixon. This group also toured Britain with HEAVY PETTIN. Shepard left the fold later in the year to join WAYSTED and Cox eventually dissolved the band, returning fronting TYGER TYGER in 1987 with ex-TYSONDOG guitarist Kevin Wynn.

Cox reunited the TYGERS OF PAN TANG (of sorts) with a bizarre performance at 2.15 in the morning at the 1999 Wacken Festival. Joining him were Rob Weir and members of BLITZKRIEG, the more famous members of the band having declined the offer. The singer would be back at Wacken in 2003, fronting up an amalgam of DIAMOND HEAD and TYGERS OF PAN TANG players comprising guitarists Brian Tatler and Floyd Brennan, bassist Eddie Chaos and drummer Karl Wilcox.

In March of 2004 the singer was scheduled to form up part of a one off 'N.W.O.B.H.M. ALL STARS' band alongside ex-JUDAS PRIEST singer AL ATKINS and erstwhile IRON MAIDEN guitarist Dennis stratton for a performance at the New Jersey 'Metal Meltdown' festival.