Career
He is most notable for his time as lead vocalist in Los Angeles, with whom he wrote most of their self-titled debut album. His roots were in bluegrass. He also played in several jazz cover bands.
In 1978 he was a percussion major at San Jose State University.
He moved to Los Angeles in May 1980 still using his given name Paul Martin Marmorstein. His first Los Angeles band was Mad Captions who played CBGB in New York and The Hot Club in Philadelphia with The Dead Boys.
In 1981 Paul joined The Mau-Mau"s, a famous Los Angeles punk band which was fronted by Rick Wilder of The Berlin Brats. During Paul"s time with The Mau-Mau"s he shortened his name to Paul Mars.
Paul played drums for a Mau-Mau"s record produced by Robbie Krieger of The Doors which was never released.
In 1984 Paul Mars Joined the Joneses and recorded the drums for Keeping Up With The Joneses. Paul also began putting together a side project for his songs to be called Faster Pussycat with guitarist Mick Cripps. Paul switched to lead vocals, Mick switched to bass, and the two joined guitarist Tracii and drummer Nickey "Beat" Alexander and later on guitarist Robert Stoddard to complete this line up.
The name was switched to Los Angeles because the owner of the name, Raz, offered to back the band if this line up would re-use Los Angeles, a name which had been abandoned over a year prior by a former band of Tracii"son
Paul changed his name again to Paul Black. From 1985 to March 1987 Paul Black wrote and co-wrote a number of songs which led Los Angeles to a record deal with Polygram Records.
However, Paul left before the record was finished and before the deal was signed. Paul Black was replaced by Philosophy Lewis.
These songs became the foundation of the group"s success which helped them stand apart from the repetitive glam metal scene of the time.
Paul Black has recently been acknowledged for his contributions to Los Angeles self-titled debut. After leaving Los Angeles, Paul Black formed Black Cherry, which quickly became one of the most popular and sought after bands in Los Angeles But, a lawsuit filed by Black against his former band Los Angeles and Polygram Records kept Black Cherry from signing a deal. Paul Black retired in 1993 and seldom played shows.
In 2000 Paul Black wrote and recorded an album with Jo Almeida of Dogs Doctorate"Amour called Jo & Paul"s Sonic Boom, Sun Down And Yellow Moon.
The band itself did about 8 shows with different rhythm sections. The record received great reviews but only a few were made.
Paul is working on a solo record and at the end of 2005 plans were made to reform Paul Black"s Los Angeles line up for a tour in 2006. Paul Black released CDs of Los Angeles with himself on lead vocals called Black City Breakdown (1985-1986) and Black List and a Civil Defense of Sonic Boom Sun Down And Yellow Moon on his own label "Black City Records".
In the making are plans to release Black Cherry, The Mau Maus, The Joneses and a solo record.
