Promises were a pomp-pop trio formed in Thousand Oaks, California, by Canadian siblings Benny, Jed, and Leslie Maria Knauer. They released the 1978–79 albums Promises and Real to Real on EMI–Electrola and scored an international hit with “Baby It’s You.”
Members: Leslie Maria Knauer (vocals), Jed Knauer (guitar, piano), Benny Knauer (keyboards)
Background
Promises formed in 1978 in Thousand Oaks, California, when singer Leslie Maria Knauer brought her brothers into a recording project with producer Steve Verroca: guitarist-pianist Jed Knauer and keyboardist-singer Benny Knauer. The three siblings were born in Canada, with Jed in Toronto and Leslie and Benny in Vancouver. Peter Knauer moved his children from Canada to California in the late 1960s and settled the family in Thousand Oaks. The Hamburg-born father became the group manager and occasional keyboardist.
A friend found Leslie a place to stay at Quad Teck recording studio in Los Angeles, where Verroca held fruitless sessions with another singer. Verroca asked Leslie to try the part after the other singer left and then offered Leslie a recording deal. Leslie accepted only on the condition that Verroca include Jed and Benny. The brothers were then touring in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, with Good Foot.
The siblings adopted the name Promises and wrote original songs. Promises recorded most of the debut at Sound Investment in Los Angeles and cut two tracks at Conway Studios. Promises and Verroca completed overdubs and post-production at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami. Verroca leased the completed album to EMI E.A.R. in Holland for release as Promises.
Discography:
- Promises (1978)
- Real to Real (1979)
Artist/Album Pages:
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