The Fountainhead were an Irish modern rock band that was active through most of the 1980s. Formed in Dublin in 1982 by multi-instrumentalist Pat O’Donnell and guitarist/vocalist Steve Belton, the band released a three-song 12″ on their namesake Fountain label in 1984. This was followed by two albums on China/Chrysalis between 1986 and 1988, the […]
Blue in Heaven were an Irish modern-rock foursome formed in Dublin in 1982. The band released two singles on Island in 1984, followed by two albums for the label in 1985 and 1986. A self-released EP appeared in 1988. The nameplate was altered to Blue Angels for a further round of releases during the early […]
Present were a Belgian chamber-rock/Zeuhl ensemble that was initially active during the first half of the 1980s. The band was headed by erstwhile Univers Zéro guitarist Roger Trigaux and also included ongoing UZ drummer Daniel Denis, who concurrently played in Art Zoyd while recording the debut Present album Triskaidékaphobie, released in 1980 on Atem. A […]
Midnight Oil was an Australian rock band that released two 1978–79 albums on Powderworks, followed by five albums between 1981 and 1990 on CBS. Their 1982 fourth album 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 marked their debut in the Northern hemisphere, where they broke with the 1984–87 albums Red Sails in […]
Olivia Newton-John (Sept. 26, 1948 — Aug. 8, 2022) was an Australian singer, actress, and entrepreneur with a career in entertainment dating back to the late 1960s. During the mid-1970s, she achieved fame in the Northern Hemisphere with a series of country-pop albums and singles. In 1978, she conquered the big-screen in the iconic role […]
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds are a goth-rock/cabaret ensemble formed in London circa 1983 by Australian vocalist/keyboardist Nick Cave. Between 1984 and 2008, the band released 17 albums on Mute Records, followed by a further round of discs on self-press Bad Seed in the 2010s. Members: Nick Cave (vocals, piano, organ, harmonica), Mick Harvey […]
Pseudo Echo were an Australian synthpop band from Melbourne that released three albums and numerous shortplayers on EMI between 1983 and 1988. Members: Brian Canham (vocals, guitar), Pierre Pierre (bass), Tony Lugton (keyboards, 1982-84), Anthony Argiro (drums, 1983-85), James Leigh (keyboards, 1984-89), Vince Leigh (drums, 1985-89) Discography: Autumnal Park (1984) Love an Adventure (1985) Race […]
Terry Britten (born July 1947) is an English-born musician, songwriter, and producer who first emerged as the guitarist of the Australian pop-rock band The Twilights during the mid-1960s. During the late 1970s, he rose to prominence in the Northern Hemisphere as a songwriter for Cliff Richard, penning the 1976 hit “Devil Woman” and most of […]
Rick Springfield (born Aug. 23, 1949) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and actor with a musical career that dates back to the late 1960s. He rose to prominence in his home country as one-fourth of the beat/psych combo Zoot. In 1972, Springfield moved to the U.S. and launched a solo career with back-to-back albums on […]
Tom Grant (born Feb. 22, 1946) is an American jazz-funk keyboardist from Portland, Ore. Discography: Mystified (1978) You Hardly Know Me (1981) Tom Grant (1983) Heart of the City (1984) Just the Right Moment (1985) Take Me To Your Dream (1986) Night Charade (1987) Mango Tango (1988) Edge of the World (1990)
Tina Turner (born Nov. 26, 1939) is an American soul-pop singer who first rose to prominence through her musical partnership with husband/bandleader Ike Turner, joining his Kings of Rhythm in 1957. Between 1959 and 1975, the Ike & Tina Turner Revue toured non-stop and made numerous recordings and TV appearances, scoring R&B hits with “A […]
Stevie Wonder is an American R&B musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer who began recording for Tamla/Motown in 1962 at age 12. During the mid-to-late 1960s, he scored a string of pop hits for the label, culminating with the decade-ending ballad “My Cherie Amour” and 1970’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Upon turning 21, he gained […]
Stephanie Mills (born March 22, 1957) is an American R&B singer and actress who released her first album on ABC records at age 17 in 1974, followed by the Burt Bacharach-produced For the First Time on Motown in 1975. She reemerged in 1979 with her first of three albums on 20th Century Fox, a period […]
Randy Crawford (born Feb. 18, 1952) is an American soul and jazz singer from Macon, Ga., who sung on albums by Harvey Mason, Steve Hackett, and The Crusaders. As a solo artist, she released 11 albums on Warner Bros. between 1976 and 1993, followed by three further titles in advance of the 21st century. She […]
Phyllis Hyman (July 6, 1949 — June 30, 1995) was an American soul singer who released two albums on Buddah in 1977 and 1978, four albums on Arista between 1979 and 1983, and a trio of titles on Philadelphia International Records between 1986 and 1995. She was born Phyllis Linda Hyman on July 6, 1949, […]
Patti LaBelle (born May 24, 1944) is an American soul singer who fronted The Blue Belles during the 1960s. In 1970, they morphed into the soul-funk trio Labelle, which released seven albums between 1971 and 1976, scoring a hit with “Lady Marmalade.” After going solo, she released four albums on Epic, starting with her 1977 […]
Michael Jackson (Aug. 29, 1958 — June 25, 2009) was an American soul-pop singer and songwriter from Gary, Ind., who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the Jackson 5. As a solo artist, he released four albums on Motown between 1971 and 1975, followed by a mega-selling run of albums on Epic between […]
Melba Moore (born Oct. 29, 1945) is an American R&B singer and actress who got her start in showbiz as part of the off-Broadway cast in the musical Hair in 1967. She released two albums and a live disc on Mercury between 1970 and 1972, followed by four albums on Buddah and three on Epic […]
Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 — July 1, 2005) was an American soul singer, songwriter, and producer from N.Y.C. who emerged from the session scene fronting the namesake five-piece Luther for two albums on Cotillion in 1976 and 1977. In 1981, he released his first of 11 albums for Epic over the ensuing 15-year period. […]
Kashif Saleem — aka Michael Jones (Dec. 26, 1956 — Sept. 25, 2016) — was an American R&B singer, songwriter, and keyboardist from Manhattan who first emerged as a member of B.T. Express, joining the band in 1974 at age 17 and appearing on their first five albums. After leaving the band, he served as […]
Jeffrey Osborne (born March 9, 1948) is an American R&B singer from Providence, R.I., who emerged as a member of soul-funksters L.T.D. during the 1970s. As a solo artist, he issued five albums on A&M between 1982 and 1988, followed by a half-dozen titles on assorted labels in the decades since. Discography: Jeffrey Osborne (1982) […]
Jean Carn (born March 15, 1947) is an American soul singer from Columbus, Ga., who sang on three albums for the Black Jazz label during the early 1970s with then-husband Doug Carn. Jean Carn was born Sarah Jean Perkins on March 15, 1947, in Columbus, Ga. As a child, she sang in her church choir […]
Evelyn “Champagne” King (born July 1, 1960) is an American soul-funk singer from the Bronx. Discography: Smooth Talk (1977) Music Box (1979) Call on Me (1980) I’m in Love (1981) Get Loose (1982) Face to Face (1983) So Romantic (1984) A Long Time Coming (A Change Is Gonna Come) (1985) Flirt (1988) The Girl Next […]
Donna Summer (Dec. 31, 1948 — May 17, 2012) was an American soul-funk singer from Dorchester, Mass. She was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on December 31, 1948, in Boston, Mass., the third of seven children born to butcher Andrew and schoolteacher Mary Gaines. At age 10, Donna performed for the first time at her Mission […]
Stevie Nicks is an American singer and songwriter who first emerged in the early 1970s as one-half of the folk-pop duo Buckingham Nicks with then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham. Stevie Nicks born May 26, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona. Bella Donna Stevie Nicks released her debut solo album, Bella Donna, on July 27, 1981, on Modern–Atco. 1. “Bella […]
Sonny Sharrock (Aug. 27, 1940 — May 25, 1994) was an American avant-jazz guitarist from Ossining, N.Y. Discography: Black Woman (1969) Monkey-Pockie-Boo (1970) Green Line (1971 • Steve Marcus, Sonny Sharrock, Miroslav Vitous & Daniel Humair) Paradise (1975 • Sonny & Linda Sharrock) Dance With Me Montana (1986 • Sonny Sharrock Trio) Guitar (1986) Seize […]
Rosie Vela is an American singer–songwriter and former model who released the 1986 A&M album Zazu with backing by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who later renewed their Steely Dan partnership. Rosie was born Roseanne Vela on December 18, 1952, in Galveston, Texas, and attended the University of Arkansas. After a brief marriage to a […]
Ratt are an American hard-rock/metal band from San Diego that released a self-titled EP on Music for Nations in 1983, followed by five albums on Atlantic between 1984 and 1990. Members: Stephen Pearcy (vocals), Robbin Crosby (guitar, vocals, 1981-91), Joey Cristofanilli (bass, 1981-82), Warren DeMartini (guitar, vocals, 1982-92), Marq Torien (guitar, vocals, 1982), Juan Croucier […]
Patrice Rushen (born Sept. 30, 1954) is an American musician and composer who began her career as a jazz keyboardist in the mid-1970s, playing on albums by Alphonso Johnson, Azar Lawrence, Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, Harvey Mason, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Luis Gasca. She was born Patrice Louise Rushen on September 30, 1954, in Los Angeles. […]
Pat Benatar is an American rock vocalist from Brooklyn who released nine studio albums and a live disc on Chrysalis between 1979 and 1993. During the first half of the 1980s, she scored a string of modern-rock radio hits, including “Heartbreaker,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “You Better Run,” “Promises In the Dark,” “Fire […]
Miles Davis (May 26, 1926 — Sept. 28, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter with a recording career that spanned nearly five decades. Davis was born Miles Dewey Davis III on May 26, 1926, in Alton, Ill. He was the middle child of Miles Dewey Davis Jr., an affluent dentist, and Cleota Mae Henry, a […]
Herbie Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American jazz keyboardist who has been musically active since the late 1950s. Hancock was born in Chicago on April 12, 1940, the middle child of government meat inspector Wayman Edward Hancock and secretary Winnie Belle. Herbie was named after singer and actor Herb Jeffries. At age seven, […]
Fiona Flanagan (born Sept. 13, 1961) is an American hard-rock vocalist from Phillipsburg, N.J. who released three albums on Atlantic between 1985 and 1989, followed by a fourth on Geffen in 1992. Discography: Fiona (1985) Beyond the Pale (1986) Heart Like a Gun (1989) Squeeze (1992)
Dokken are an American hard-rock/metal band from Los Angeles that released four albums on Elektra between 1984 and 1988. Members: Don Dokken (vocals, guitar), Mick Brown (drums), Greg Leon (guitar, 1977-78), George Lynch (guitar, 1978-88, 1992-98), Juan Croucier (bass, vocals, 1978-82), Jeff Pilson (bass, vocals, guitar, piano, Mellotron, 1984-99) Discography: Breakin’ the Chains (1981 • […]
David Batteau (born June 25, 1949) is an American singer/songwriter from Boston who recorded an album apiece with the bands Batteaux and Nómo. As a solo artist, he released the album Happy in Hollywood on A&M in 1976. Discography: Happy in Hollywood (1976)
Daryl Hall (born Oct. 11, 1946) is an American vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer from Philadelphia who rose to prominence during the 1970s as one-half of the soul/pop duo Hall & Oates. Discography: Sacred Songs (1980, recorded 1977) Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine (1986)
Chick Corea (June 12, 1941 – Feb. 9, 2021) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader with a six-decade career that spanned the early 1960s to the late 2010s. He emerged as a backing player for Mongo Santamaria, Sonny Stitt, Blue Mitchell, Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, and Cal Tjader. As a solo artist, Corea […]
Vector were an American New Wave/synthpop trio from Sacramento that released two albums on Exit Records between 1983 and 1985, followed by a third on Spark Music in 1989. The band were a guitar/synth/bass trio with a guest drummer on their first album Mannequin Virtue. After the departure of keyboardist Charlie Peacock, the band enlisted […]
Zot were an American modern-rock band from Huntington Beach, Calif., that released a self-titled album on Elektra in 1985. Bassist Bryant Simpson played on Lindsey Buckingham‘s 1984 hit “Go Insane” and later cut an album with jazz quartet Blueprint. Members: Chris Stewart (drums, vocals), Randy Wayne (vocals, keyboards), Bryant Simpson (bass, vocals), Patrick Knowles (guitar, […]
Survivor were an American hard-rock band that released seven albums on Atlantic/CBS-subsidiary Scotti Bros. Records between 1979 and 1988. Members: Frankie Sullivan (lead guitar, vocals), Jim Peterik (keyboards, guitar, vocals, 1978-88, 1993-96), Dave Bickler (lead vocals, synthesizer, 1978-83), Dennis Johnson (bass, 1978-80), Gary Smith (drums, 1978-80), Marc Droubay (drums, 1981-87, 1996-2014), Stephan Ellis (bass, 1981-87, […]
Ronnie Montrose (Nov. 29, 1947 — March 3, 2012) was an American guitarist who recorded four albums with namesake hard-rockers Montrose between 1973 and 1976. After debuting as a solo artist with the 1978 Warner Bros. release Open Fire, he cut three numerically titled albums with Gamma between 1979 and 1982. He resumed his solo […]
The Resurrection Band were an American Christian hard-rock unit that self-released two cassette albums circa 1973/74. The band released a pair of albums on Star Song in 1978 and 1979, followed by a trio of titles on Light Records during the early 1980s and another three albums on Sparrow mid-decade. The nameplate was altered to […]
Night Ranger were an American hard-rock band from San Francisco that released five albums on MCA between 1982 and 1988. Members: Jack Blades (vocals, bass), Kelly Keagy (vocals, drums), Brad Gillis (guitar), Jeff Watson (guitar, 1980-91), Alan Fitzgerald (keyboards, 1980-88, 1996-2003), Jesse Bradman (keyboards, vocals, 1988-89) Discography: Dawn Patrol (1982) Midnight Madness (1983) 7 Wishes […]
Kansas are an American symphonic/hard-rock band that released nine albums and a live double-LP on CBS-subsidiary Kirshner between 1974 and 1983, followed by a pair of late-’80s albums on MCA. Members: Rich Williams (guitar), Phil Ehart (drums), Steve Walsh (vocals, keyboards, 1972-81, 1986-2014), Kerry Livgren (guitar, piano, synthesizer, 1972-83, 2000), Robby Steinhardt (violin, 1972-83, 1997-2006), […]
Heart are an American hard-rock band from Seattle that debuted with the popular album Dreamboat Annie on Canadian small-press Mushroom in 1975, followed by five studio albums on the CBS imprints Portrait and Epic between 1977 and 1983. In 1985, the band issued a self-titled album on Capitol that spawned a new round of success […]
Boston are an American symphonic/hard-rock band that released two albums on Epic between 1976 and 1978, followed by three further albums at eight-year intervals over the ensuing quarter-century. A sixth album, released in 2013, upheld the band’s post-’70s album-per-decade schedule. Members: Tom Scholz (guitar, bass, keyboards, organ, percussion, vocals), Brad Delp (lead vocals, guitar, percussion, […]
Allies were an American melodic-rock band that released two albums on Elektra’s CCM subsidiary Light Records in 1985 and 1986, followed by four further titles on Dayspring between 1987 and 1992. Members: Randy Thomas (guitar, vocals, bass), Bob Carlisle (lead vocals, guitar), Sam Scott (keyboards, vocals, 1984–86), Matthew Chapman (bass, 1985–91), Jim Erickson (drums, 1985–91), […]
Drama were an American modern-rock band that released the album Scene from a Distance on RCA in 1985. Members: Suzanne Jerome Taylor (vocals), Pat Taylor (guitar, vocals), Jack Holder (guitar), Larry Klein (bass), Tony Humeke (drums) Discography: Scene from a Distance (1985)
Tuxedomoon was an American art-rock band from San Francisco. They started as an avant-garde performance act in 1977 and released one single and two EPs during 1978/79. Their first two albums, Half-Mute and Desire, appeared on Ralph Records in 1980/81. After a sequence of 1982/83 titles on the Belgian Les Disques du Crépuscule, they released […]
Oingo Boingo were an American New Wave/art-rock band from Los Angeles. Members: Richard Elfman (vocals, percussion, 1972-76), Marie-Pascale Elfman (vocals, 1972-77), Matthew Bright (bass, 1972-73), Ernie Fosselius (musical director, 1972-73), Billy Superball [aka William Folwell] (trumpet, bass, 1972-74), Lori Mann (accordion, vocals, 1972-1977), William Winant (percussion, 1972-75), Stan Ayeroff (guitar, 1972-75), Danny Elfman (vocals, guitar, […]
The Cars were an American New Wave/modern-rock band that released six studio albums on Elektra between 1978 and 1987. Their first two albums, The Cars (1978) and Candy-O (1979), spawned a slew of radio-rock evergreens, including “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Times Roll, and “Let’s Go.” A turn toward icy modernism […]
Animotion were an American New Wave/modern-rock band from Los Angeles. Members: Astrid Plane (vocals, 1984-88, 2001-present), Bill Wadhams (vocals, guitar, keyboards, 1984-88, 2001-present), Charles Ottavio (bass, 1984-88, 2001-present), Frenchy O’Brien (drums, percussion, 1984), Jim Blair (drums, 1985-88), Paul Antonelli (keyboards, 1984), Greg Smith (keyboards, 1984-89, 2001-present), Don Kirkpatrick (guitar, 1984-89, 2001-present), Cynthia Rhodes (vocals, 1989), […]
Fibonaccis were an American New Wave/art-rock band from Los Angeles. Members: Magie Song (vocals, percussion), Ron Stringer (guitar, bass, vocals, percussion), John Dentino (piano, mellotron, keyboards, vocals), Joe Berardi (drums, percussion, vibraphone, cello), Tom Corey (bass, mandolin, guitar) Discography: Fĭʼ-bō-năʼ-chēz (EP, 1982) Tumor (EP, 1983) Civilization and Its Discotheques (1987)
Talking Heads were an American New Wave/art-rock band that released eight studio albums on Sire between 1977 and 1988. Members: David Byrne (vocals, guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass, vocals), Jerry Harrison (keyboards, guitar, 1976-92) Formation, first recordings Talking Heads developed from a partnership between guitarist/songwriter David Byrne and drummer Chris Frantz. The two […]
Pat Metheny (born Aug. 12, 1954) is an American jazz guitarist from Kansas City, Mo., who released 13 group and solo albums on ECM between 1976 and 1984, followed by another round of albums on Geffen during the late 1980s and early ’90s. Discography: Jaco Pastorius / Pat Metheny / Bruce Ditmas / Paul Bley […]
Spyro Gyra are an American jazz-funk band from Buffalo, formed in 1977. Members: Jay Beckenstein (saxophone, lyricon), Jeremy Wall (piano, keyboards, percussion, 1977-81), Jim Kurzdorfer (bass, 1977-79), Tom Walsh (drums, percussion, 1977-78), Umbopha Emile Latimer (percussion, 1978-79), Dave Samuels (vibraphone, 1978-93), Tom Schuman (piano, synthesizer, 1980-present), Gerardo Velez (percussion, 1984-88), Kim Stone (bass, 1984-87), Chet […]
Yellowjackets are an American jazz-rock band from Los Angeles. Members: Bob Mintzer (saxophone, EWI), Jimmy Haslip (bass), Russell Ferrante (piano, keyboards), Marcus Baylor (drums, percussion), Marc Russo (horns), William Kennedy (drums, percussion), Ricky Lawson (drums, percussion) Discography: Yellowjackets (1981) Mirage à Troîs (1983) Samurai Samba (1985) Shades (1986) Four Corners (1987) Politics (1988) The Spin […]
Jerry Goodman (born March 16, 1949) is an American violinist from Chicago who played in jazz-psych pioneers The Flock during the late 1960s. Between 1971 and 1973, he played in the first lineup of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, appearing on the albums The Inner Mounting Flame and Birds of Fire. Discography: Like Children (1974 • Jerry […]
Journey are an American hard-rock/soul band from San Francisco that released nine proper albums and a live double-LP on Columbia between 1975 and 1986. Members: Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass, 1973-85, 1995-present), Gregg Rolie (vocals, keyboards, 1973-80), George Tickner (guitar, 1973-75), Prairie Prince (drums, 1973-74), Aynsley Dunbar (drums, 1974-78), Robert Fleischman (vocals, 1977), Steve […]
Vital Information are an American jazz-rock supergroup that has been active on a sporadic basis since the mid-1980s. Members: Tom Coster (keyboards), Baron Browne (bass), Steve Smith (drums), Frank Gambale (guitar), Vinny Valentino (guitar, 2006-present) Discography: Orion (1984) Global Beat (1986) Fiafiaga (Celebration) (1988) Vitalive! (1991) Easier Done Than Said (1992) Ray of Hope (1996) […]
Ken Watson is an American jazz-rock multi-instrumentalist and composer who self-released the album Assembly in 1985. Discography: Assembly (1985) The Twinkle Factor (1999) A Little Chin Music (2000)
Hiroshima were an American New Age/smooth jazz ensemble from Los Angeles. Members: Members: Daniel Kuramoto (flute, saxophone, woodwinds), June Kuramoto (koto), Johnny Mori (percussion, taiko, 1974-2003), Dave Iwataki (keyboards, 1974-79), Danny Yamamoto (drums), Peter Hata (guitar, 1974-84), Dane Matsumura (bass guitar, 1977-80), Teri Kusumoto (vocals, 1977-82), Jess Acuna (vocals, 1977-82), Richard Matthews (keyboards, 1979-80), Barbara […]
Al Di Meola (born July 22, 1954) is an American guitarist who emerged in the jazz-rock supergroup Return to Forever, playing on the 1974–76 albums Where Have I Known You Before, No Mystery, and Romantic Warrior. As a solo artist, he’s issued more than 40 albums, starting with the 1976/77 Columbia titles Land of the […]
Affirmation were an American jazz rock band. Members: – Discography: Lost Angeles (1980) Identity Crisis (1985)
Toto are an American modern-rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1977 by prolific industry studio musicians. Members: Steve Lukather (guitar, vocals), David Paich (keyboards, vocals), David Hungate (bass, 1977-83, 2014-present), Jeff Porcaro (drums, 1977-92), Steve Porcaro (keyboards, vocals, 1977-89, 2010-present), Bobby Kimball (vocals, 1977-84, 1997-2008), Mike Porcaro (bass, 1983-2008), Fergie Frederiksen (vocals, 1984-86), Joseph […]
Tim Moore (born Dec. 31, 1949) is an American singer/songwriter from N.Y.C. Discography: Tim Moore (1974) Behind the Eyes (1975) White Shadows (1977) High Contrast (1979) Flash Forward (1985)
Teena Marie (March 5, 1956 — Dec. 26, 2010) was an American vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, and arranger from Santa Monica, Calif. She was born Mary Christine Brockert on March 5, 1956, in Santa Monica, Calif., and raised in nearby Mission Hills and Venice. Her family’s heritage comprised of Irish, Italian, Native American, Portuguese, and […]
Suzanne Vega (born July 11, 1959) is an American singer/songwriter from Santa Monica, Calif. Discography: Suzanne Vega (1985) Solitude Standing (1987) Days of Open Hand (1990) 99.9 F° (1992) Nine Objects of Desire (1996) Songs in Red and Gray (2001) Beauty & Crime (2007)
Mr. Mister were an American modern-rock band from Los Angeles, formed from the ashes of Pages. Members: Richard Page (vocals, bass), Steve George (keyboards, saxophone, vocals), Steve Farris (guitar, 1983-87), Pat Mastelotto (drums), Howard ‘Buzz’ Feiten (guitar, 1988-89) Discography: I Wear the Face (1984) Welcome to the Real World (1985) Go On … (1987) Pull […]
Michael McDonald (born Feb. 12, 1952) is an American vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter from St. Louis. Discography: If That’s What It Takes (1982) No Lookin’ Back (1985) Take It to Heart (1990) Blink of an Eye (1993) Blue Obsession (2000)
Melissa Manchester is an American singer–songwriter who released two 1973–74 albums on Bell Records, followed by nine albums between 1975 and 1983 on Arista. She first emerged under the auspices of Barry Manilow and Bette Midler and co-wrote many songs with Carole Bayer Sager. Manchester’s best known songs include “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “Midnight Blue,” […]
The Manhattan Transfer are an American vocal group from N.Y.C., formed in 1969 by swing enthusiast Tim Hauser. The original lineup, a five-piece with songwriter Gene Pistilli, issued one album of retro jazz and pop on Capitol in 1971. Hauser then recruited singers Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, and Laurel Massé, establishing the two man/two woman […]
Kenny Loggins (born Jan. 7, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter from Everett, Wash. He rose to fame as part of the musical duo Loggins and Messina, which issued seven albums on Columbia between 1971 and 1976. In 1977, he debuted as a solo artist with the album Celebrate Me Home on Columbia, followed […]
Billy Joel is an American pianist, singer, and songwriter from the Bronx who released the album Cold Spring Harbor on Family Productions Inc. in 1971, followed by 11 studio albums on Columbia between 1973 and 1993. Prior to his solo career, he recorded two albums with psych-rockers The Hassles, which splintered into the 1970 hard-rock […]
Cock Robin are an American pop band from Los Angeles. Members: Peter Kingsbery (bass, keyboards, programming, vocals), Anna Lacazio (keyboards, vocals, 1982-2015), Louis Molino III (percussion, drums, vocals, 1982-90), Clive Wright (guitar, keyboards, 1982-90), Coralie Vuillemin (vocals, ?-present) Discography: Cock Robin (1985) After Here Through Midland (1987) First Love / Last Rites (1989)
Bourgeois Tagg were an American adult-oriented pop band from Sacramento that released two albums on Island in 1986 and 1987. Members: Brent Bourgeois (vocals, keyboards), Larry Tagg (vocals, bass), Lyle Workman (guitar), Scott Moon (keyboards), Michael Urbano (drums) Discography: Bourgeois Tagg (1986) Yoyo (1987)
Griffin were an American metal band from San Francisco that released two albums on the German Steamhammer label between 1984 and 1986. The first of those, Flight of the Griffin , was issued stateside on Shrapnel Records. Members: William Rodrick McKay (vocals), Mike “Yaz” Jastremski (guitar), Rick Cooper (guitar), Thomas “Hawk” Mayberry (bass), Rick Wagner […]
Exodus are an American metal band from San Francisco that released the album Bonded by Blood on Torrid/Music for Nations in 1985, followed by two 1987/89 albums on Combat and another pair on Capitol during the early 1990s. Members: Tom Hunting (drums, vocals, 1979-89, 1997-2005, 2007-present), Kirk Hammett (guitar, 1979-83), Tim Agnello (guitar, 1979-80), Keith […]
A=440 were an American modern-rock band from Los Angeles that released a self-titled album on Casablanca in 1986. Vocalist Tommy La Verdi later teamed with ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham in the hard-rock band 21 Guns. Bassist Matt Bissonette hailed from jazz-rockers Zebras NTSU and also notched credits with Maynard Ferguson and Keiko Matsui prior […]
This entry is for the mid-’80s American hard-rock band Aviator. For the earlier art-rock supergroup with Jack Lancaster and John G. Perry, click here. Aviator were an American melodic-rock band from New York that released a self-titled album on RCA in 1986. This marked the fourth recorded pairing between guitarist Richie Cerniglia and drummer Michael […]
Y & T were an American hard-rock/metal band from Oakland, Calif., that released two albums as Yesterday and Today on London Records between 1976 and 1978, followed by five albums and a live disc on A&M between 1981 and 1984. Members: Dave Meniketti (vocals, guitar), Phil Kennemore (bass, 1974-2010), Leonard Haze (drums, 1974-86, 2001-06), Joey […]
