Complete List Of Nazareth Band Members

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Nazareth was formed in Dunfermline, Scotland, in 1968. The band emerged from the local club scene, initially playing covers before developing their own material. Nazareth gained international fame in the 1970s with hits like “Hair of the Dog” and a cover of the ballad “Love Hurts,” which became especially popular in the United States. Over the decades, Nazareth has released twenty-five studio albums, several of which achieved significant commercial success. The band’s distinctive blend of hard rock and folk, mixed with Dan McCafferty’s raspy vocals, helped them secure a dedicated fan base worldwide. Despite numerous lineup changes, Nazareth continues to tour, with Surviving the Law (2022) remaining the band’s most recent studio album.

Throughout their long career, the members of Nazareth have experienced various changes but have consistently produced music that resonates with their audience. The band’s achievements include receiving several gold albums and performing at major venues and festivals around the world. They have been influential in the rock genre, inspiring numerous bands with their aggressive guitar work and melodic songwriting. As of 2026, the lineup consists of founding bassist Pete Agnew, guitarist Jimmy Murrison, drummer Lee Agnew, and lead vocalist Gianni Pontillo.

Pete Agnew

Pete Agnew is the founding bassist of Nazareth, having been with the band since its inception in 1968. His consistent bass playing and background vocals have been a staple of the band’s sound throughout its entire history. Agnew played on all of Nazareth’s studio albums, including their self-titled debut in 1971, the breakthrough album Razamanaz in 1973, the commercially successful Hair of the Dog in 1975, and Surviving the Law in 2022. Beyond his work with Nazareth, Agnew has focused most of his musical career on the band. Following the deaths of Dan McCafferty and Manny Charlton in 2022, Agnew became the last surviving member of Nazareth’s original lineup.

Jimmy Murrison

Jimmy Murrison joined Nazareth in late 1994 as lead guitarist after the release of Move Me. He replaced Billy Rankin and became one of the band’s longest-serving members outside the original lineup. Murrison’s first studio album with Nazareth was Boogaloo in 1998. Since then, his guitar work has been a key component in maintaining the band’s hard rock sound through albums including The Newz, Big Dogz, Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone, Tattooed on My Brain, and Surviving the Law. Outside of Nazareth, Murrison has kept a relatively low profile, dedicating most of his professional efforts to the band.

Lee Agnew

Lee Agnew, son of Pete Agnew, contributed percussion to Nazareth’s 1998 album Boogaloo while Darrell Sweet was still the band’s drummer. He became Nazareth’s permanent drummer following Sweet’s death in April 1999. Lee’s first full studio album as the band’s drummer was The Newz in 2008. He has been involved in all subsequent Nazareth studio recordings, including Big Dogz, Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone, Tattooed on My Brain, and Surviving the Law. His drumming has helped carry the classic Nazareth sound into the band’s later years.

Gianni Pontillo

Gianni Pontillo became Nazareth’s lead vocalist in December 2025, replacing Carl Sentance. Pontillo entered the band ahead of its extensive 2026 touring schedule and joined Pete Agnew, Jimmy Murrison, and Lee Agnew in the current lineup. Before joining Nazareth, Pontillo had performed with bands including Pure Inc., The Order, and Victory, as well as his own Pontillo and the Vintage Crew project. As of September 2026, Pontillo has not yet appeared on a Nazareth studio album.

Carl Sentance

Carl Sentance joined Nazareth in 2015 as lead vocalist after the brief tenure of Linton Osborne. Sentance brought a new energy to the band, featuring on the 2018 album Tattooed on My Brain, his first studio album with Nazareth, and the 2022 album Surviving the Law. Prior to joining Nazareth, Sentance had an extensive career in rock and heavy metal, having performed with bands and projects including Persian Risk, Krokus, the Geezer Butler Band, and Don Airey’s band. Sentance and Nazareth parted ways in December 2025, after nearly eleven years together.

Dan McCafferty

Dan McCafferty was the iconic lead vocalist of Nazareth from its formation in 1968 until his retirement from touring with the band in 2013 due to health reasons. His distinctive raspy voice became a defining element of the band’s sound and was instrumental in their global success. McCafferty’s vocals on hits like “Hair of the Dog” and the ballad “Love Hurts” helped cement the band’s place in rock history. Over his lengthy career with Nazareth, he recorded the band’s albums through Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone, released in 2014. Outside Nazareth, McCafferty also released solo recordings, including his final solo album, Last Testament, in 2019. Dan McCafferty died on November 8, 2022, at the age of 76.

Darrell Sweet

Darrell Sweet was the original drummer and a founding member of Nazareth, playing with the band from its inception until his death in 1999. Sweet’s drumming style was pivotal in shaping the band’s hard rock sound, evident in their early albums and major hits. He was behind the kit for all the classic Nazareth albums through Boogaloo in 1998, his last studio recording with the band. Sweet’s contribution extended beyond drumming through his backing vocals and involvement in the band’s music. He died from a heart attack on April 30, 1999, while Nazareth was on tour. His death marked the first major permanent change to the original lineup, and Lee Agnew subsequently took over the drum position.

Manny Charlton

Manny Charlton was the original guitarist for Nazareth, playing a key role in the band from 1968 until his departure in 1990. Charlton’s guitar work was central to Nazareth’s sound, driving the heavy riffs and melodic leads that defined their music. He was particularly influential on albums like Razamanaz and Hair of the Dog, where his guitar playing and production skills shone brightly. After leaving Nazareth, Charlton moved to the United States and continued his music career, producing and pursuing solo projects that explored various musical styles. Manny Charlton died on July 5, 2022, at the age of 80.

Zal Cleminson

Zal Cleminson joined Nazareth in the late 1970s following a successful stint with the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Known for his theatrical stage presence and skilled guitar playing, Cleminson was part of Nazareth for a brief yet impactful period. He played on No Mean City and Malice in Wonderland, contributing to some of the band’s more experimental tracks during this era. Cleminson’s time with Nazareth was marked by a shift towards a more varied sound, incorporating elements of funk and pop without losing the hard rock edge. After leaving Nazareth, he continued to work in music, including later projects and reunions connected to the Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

Billy Rankin

Billy Rankin served as a guitarist for Nazareth during two distinct periods. He first joined around 1980 following Zal Cleminson’s departure and appeared on the live album ‘Snaz, followed by the studio albums 2XS (1982) and Sound Elixir (1983). Rankin’s contributions included guitar, backing vocals, songwriting, and occasional keyboards. He left to pursue a solo career after this first period with the band.

Rankin returned to Nazareth in May 1990 after original guitarist Manny Charlton left the band. During his second stint, he recorded No Jive and Move Me. He left again in 1994 and was replaced by Jimmy Murrison. Outside Nazareth, Rankin has maintained a solo career and has also worked in radio.

John Locke

John Locke, formerly of the band Spirit, joined Nazareth around 1980 after Zal Cleminson’s departure, bringing his distinctive keyboard style to the group. He played on The Fool Circle (1981), the live album ‘Snaz, and 2XS (1982). His keyboard playing added a new layer of melodic depth to Nazareth’s sound during this period. Locke’s tenure with the band was relatively short, and he departed in the early 1980s. He continued to be involved in music until his death in 2006.

Ronnie Leahy

Ronnie Leahy joined Nazareth in the mid-1990s as the band’s keyboard player. His first Nazareth studio album was Boogaloo in 1998, on which he also received songwriting credits. Leahy remained with the band through the period that included the 2002 live release Homecoming before retiring from touring. He later made a guest appearance on organ on Nazareth’s 2022 album Surviving the Law. Beyond Nazareth, Leahy has worked with artists including Stone the Crows, Jack Bruce, Jon Anderson, and Steve Howe.

Read More: Top 10 Nazareth Songs

Linton Osborne

Linton Osborne briefly took on the role of lead vocalist for Nazareth after Dan McCafferty retired due to health reasons. Osborne joined the band in 2014, but his tenure was short-lived and ended in early 2015. During this time, he toured with the band but did not record a Nazareth studio album. Following Osborne’s departure, Carl Sentance became the band’s lead vocalist in 2015.

Updated September 2, 2026.