Ex-STONEWALL, LUCIFER'S FRIEND and URIAH HEEP vocalist John Lawton released his debut solo album, 'Hardbeat', in 1980 also performed vocals on two REBEL albums; namely 'Rebel' and 'Stargazer'. Lawton was to form ARK in 1980 with MOODY BLUES producer Tony Clark and vocalist Maggi Ryder, but an album recorded in the Bahamas was never released. Lawton was later to appear as the vocalist with ZAR on the 'Live Your Life Forever' album and subsequently became a member of GUNHILL.

Lawton teamed up with erstwhile URIAH HEEP colleague keyboard player KEN HENSLEY and bassist Paul Newton in 2000 for a band project billed as SALISBURY. Following a batch of highly anticipated gigs in Germany the SALISBURY project strangely floundered.

A significant weekend would occur for URIAH HEEP and Lawton fans in London during December of 2001 as the band celebrated the 21st anniversary of the 'Magician's Birthday' album. Three days of Heep related events included a performance by the JOHN LAWTON BAND at the Borderline Café on Thursday 6th.

By May of 2002 Lawton was linked to present day URIAH HEEP vocalist Bernie Shaw in an apparent new venture. The singer would also busy himself with the LAWTON / DUNNING PROJECT, releasing an album entitled 'Steppin' It Up' through the Classic Rock Legends label. Meantime the JOHN LAWTON BAND released the 'Sting In The Tale' album in 2003.