The Enid Lose Lead Singer Joe Payne

(Prog) Joe Payne has revealed his "heartbreaking" decision to leave The Enid after five years to focus on his own projects, following the band's announcement of the lineup change.

He'd been the band's only lead vocalist since Robert John Godfrey founded the symphonic rock band in 1973, and appeared on their most recent albums Journey's End, Invicta, First Light, The Bridge and Dust. He was also responsible for co-writing, management, live artistic direction and promotional duties.

In a statement exclusively revealed to Prog, he's confirmed that he had to move on after his commitments seriously affected his health. The band said at the weekend: "Joe Payne has left The Enid. We wish him well and are proud of the work we did together. The success of The Enid has always been our capacity for reinvention. A new chapter is being written, ablaze with the fires of change."
Payne tells Prog: "After five incredibly challenging and rewarding years together, I've made the decision to move on from The Enid to focus on my own projects." Read more here.