Fans Against Fake Bands » Music from the 80′s

38 Special

videeoo — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:31:55 +0000

Rating 4 Stars 38 Special is an American rock band that was formed by neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant in 1975 in Jacksonville, Florida. By the early 1980s, 38 Special began amalgamating southern rock and arena rock in their music, thereby kicking off a string of successful albums and singles. Their first high-charting song was “Hold On Loosely” (1981); “Caught Up In You” (1982) and “If I’d Been The One” (1983) both hit #1 on Billboard magazine’s Album Rock Tracks chart. “Back Where You Belong” (1984) continued the annual sequence of radio favorites, and “Second Chance” (1989), a #1 hit on Billboard’s adult contemporary chart, was sung by former Specialist Max Carl. In 2007, 38 Special was the opening act on Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr.’s Rowdy Frynds Tour, and on September 27, 2008, they filmed a CMT Crossroads special with country singer Trace Adkins, performing both artists’ hits from over the years. In 2009, 38 Special opened for REO Speedwagon and Styx as part of the “Can’t Stop Rockin’ Tour.” The current lineup consists of Barnes, Van Zant, guitarist Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist Bobby Capps and drummer Gary Moffatt. Source and more information: Wikipedia

A Flock of Seagulls

videeoo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:48:18 +0000

Rating: 2.5 Stars In November 2003, the original line-up (Mike and Ali Score, Paul Reynolds and Frank Maudsley) reunited for a one-off performance on the VH1 series Bands Reunited. In September 2004, they reformed again and played a small number of live shows in the United States, but broke up immediately afterward. The reunion included performances at Nike Run Hit Wonder (L.A., not NYC), a series of 5000 and 10,000-metre road races, featuring popular bands that are frequently classified as one hit wonders (including Devo, General Public, and Tommy Tutone) who performed along the race course. Mike Score continues to tour under the band’s name with a new line-up, but the other original members have retired from music. The band played a show at Classic Bowl in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The band’s 2005 lineup was Mike Score, lead singer, keyboards; Joe Rodriguez, lead guitarist; Pando bassist; and Michael Brahm, drums. In June 2005, the current line-up appeared on the debut episode of the American edition of NBC’s Hit Me Baby One More Time. Besides performing their hit song “I Ran (So Far Away)”, they also performed a cover of Ryan Cabrera’s “On the Way Down”. In an interview on the VH1 special 100 Greatest Songs of the ’80s, Mike Score said “Every time he performs live… Everyone just wants to hear ‘I Ran’”, and goes on to say “…and I’m sick of it!”. Also that he resents the song, but plays it live because people enjoy it. “I Ran” was listed at #55 on the countdown. He said the same thing in VH1′s 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s, and was listed at #2 on this countdown. The interview on 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s was the exact same one that was shown on 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s. A Flock of Seagulls performed at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines on April 19, 2008 as part of “The Lost 80s Live in Manila” tour along with Gene Loves Jezebel and Real Life. Source and more information; Wikipedia

AC/DC

videeoo — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:51:34 +0000

Rating 4.5 Stars AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977 for the album Powerage. The band recorded their highly successful album Highway to Hell in 1979. Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected to replace Scott. Later that year, the band released their best-selling album, Back in Black. The band’s next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was their first album to reach number one in the United States. AC/DC declined in popularity soon after drummer Phil Rudd was fired in 1983 and was replaced by future Dio drummer Simon Wright, though the band resurged in the early 1990s with the release of The Razor’s Edge. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 (after Chris Slade, whom was with the band from 1990-1994, was asked to leave in favour of him) and contributed to the band’s 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well received by critics. Since then, the band has stayed the same with the 1980-1983 lineup. The band’s most recent album, Black Ice, was released on 20 October 2008. It was their biggest hit on the charts since “For Those About to Rock, reaching #1 on all the charts eventually. As of 2008, AC/DC have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide including 71 million albums in the United States. Back in Black has sold an estimated 45 million units worldwide, making it the highest-selling album by any band and the 2nd highest-selling album in history, behind Thriller by Michael Jackson. The album has sold 22 million in the US alone, where it is the fifth-highest-selling album. AC/DC ranked fourth on VH1′s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock” and was named the seventh “Greatest Heavy Metal Band of All Time” by MTV. In 2004, the band was ranked number 72 in the Rolling Stone list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. Source and more information: Wikipedia

Asia

videeoo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:30:55 +0000

Ratings Asia: 5 Stars Asia featuring John Payne: 2 Stars

As of 2008, there are two distinct groups using the Asia name: a recently formed reunion of the band’s original line-up performing as “Asia”, and “Asia Featuring John Payne” as a continuation of the pre-2006 Asia lineup, featuring three of its members. Asia Geoff Downes and the other three original members (Wetton, Palmer, and Howe) convened a group meeting in England in early 2006 in anticipation of formally reforming for work that year. And after a slew of rumours, they announced that this original line-up of Asia were planning a CD, DVD and world tour to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary. The band appeared in October 2006 on U.S. cable channel VH-1 Classic and began a world tour largely focused on the U.S. The band secured ownership of the Asia name and toured under the description of the Four Original Members of Asia. The setlist featured most of the first album as well as a couple of songs from the second, along with one selection each from Yes, ELP, King Crimson and the Buggles to acknowledge the history of each member of the band. In a 2006 interview guitarist Steve Howe states that “This is the real Asia. There have been other incarnations of the band, but this is the one that the public truly embraced”. Asia featuring John Payne Payne, Govan and Schellen continued working together after Downes’ departure for the aforementioned reunion. This included continuing work on what had been planned as the next Asia album, Architect of Time. They began to work under the name GPS with Ryo Okumoto of Spock’s Beard on keys. Their debut release, Window to the Soul (2006), included material developed for Architect of Time. In May 2007, Payne, Govan and Schellen announced the new band name, “Asia Featuring John Payne”, adding Erik Norlander on keys. The name had been contractually agreed between Payne, Downes, Wetton, Howe and Palmer on the 9th of May 2006. The first release under this name at the end of 2007 was a live recording of the late 2005 Asia line-up of Downes, Payne, Govan and Schellen, entitled Extended Versions in the US and Scandinavia in the UK. In June 2008, the band has announced the release of an EP entitled “Military Man” with a royalties being donated to the USO. The band is also planning to release a completed Architect of Time , with all songs written by Payne and Norlander. The band are touring in 2009 under the Asia Featuring John Payne name, and currently playing festivals and small venues, performing songs from the entire history of Asia, including “Heat of the Moment”. Govan left the band in 2009. Meanwhile, Payne, Govan, and Schellen are also continuing work as GPS, while Schellen is also recording with Circa. Source and more information: Wikipedia

B-52s

videeoo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:27:29 +0000

Rating 4.5 Stars On October 12, 1985, guitarist Wilson died at age 32, from health complications related to AIDS, following completion of their album Bouncing off the Satellites. Devastated, the band went into seclusion and did not tour to promote the album, feeling that it would be impossible to continue without Wilson. During the two-year hiatus that followed Wilson’s death, Strickland (drummer) switched to the position of guitarist, and the band regrouped. In 1989, they released Cosmic Thing, their long-anticipated mainstream breakthrough. The B-52s formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. In their heyday, their music was marked by the female harmonies of Cindy Wilson (vocals) and Kate Pierson (organ, vocals), Ricky Wilson’s (guitar) surf-style guitar, Keith Strickland’s (drummer) “go-go beat” drumming, and the generally spoken word or sprechgesang male vocal counterpoint of Fred Schneider (cowbell, vocals). The resulting unique “guy vs. gals” vocals, sometimes used in call and response style (as in their songs “Private Idaho” and “Good Stuff”), are a trademark of the band. Presenting as a positive, enthusiastic, slightly wacky party band, the B-52s have focused on songs telling tall tales (“Rock Lobster”, “Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland”), glorifying wild youth (“Love Shack”, “Deadbeat Club”), or celebrating wild romance (“Strobe Light”, “Hot Pants Explosion”), all set to a danceable New Wave beat. The band’s name comes from a particular beehive hairdo resembling the nose cone of the aircraft of the same name. During their early years, wigs of that style were often worn by the band’s female singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. The correct name for the band had long been “The B-52′s”, but in 2008 they dropped the apostrophe, with their official website and Funplex album and single covers reading “The B-52s”. Sourse and more information: Wikipedia

Bay City Rollers

videeoo — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:24:30 +0000

Not Touring, no rating The Bay City Rollers were a Scottish pop/rock band of the 1970s. Their youthful, clean-cut image, distinctive styling featuring tartan-trimmed outfits, and cheery, sing-along pop hits helped the group become among the most popular musical acts of their time. For a relatively brief but fervent period (nicknamed “Rollermania”), they were worldwide teen idols. The group’s line-up featured numerous changes over the years, but the classic line-up during its heyday included guitarists Eric Faulkner and Stuart Wood, singer Les McKeown, bassist Alan Longmuir, and drummer Derek Longmuir. Since the band’s quick rise to, and subsequent fall from fame, the members have endured numerous and varied struggles regarding royalty payments, substance abuse, and personal legal problems. During the 1980s and 1990s, there were various short-lived revivals featuring some of the original members. The classic quintet played Japan in 1982, and again in ’83 with guest spots from both Mitchell and McGlynn. A slapdash reunion album of sorts, Breakout, came out in Japan in 1985, performed primarily by McKeown and McGlynn with minor contributions from Faulkner, Wood, and Mitchell. In 1990 Stuart Wood and Alan Longmuir joined with Faulkner to tour under the BCR name, and issued several CDs of re-recordings of the old Roller tunes. These recordings still turn up frequently on iTunes and in CD bins. The classic lineup (minus Derek) performed a one-off show at a New Year’s Eve 1999 concert in Scotland. In the 2000s, interest was rekindled in Britain by various television documentaries about the group and a new TV-advertised compilation of greatest hits, Very Best of the Bay City Rollers, which entered the UK charts on release in 2004 at #11. Currently, Mitchell, Faulkner and McKeown each regularly tour playing Rollers hits. Due to legal issues over which performers may use the band name, McKeown’s group uses the name: Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers. At present there is no official Bay City Rollers. A recent Channel 4 documentary, Who Got The Rollers’ Millions?, explored the speculation about what happened to the supposed financial fortune the group generated in their career, with accusations that it was defrauded from the group by their management and record company. There are claims that the group sold 100-300 million records and generated the equivalent of five billion pounds in revenue, with the band members themselves earning very little. According to BBC they sold 70 million records. However, even this figure has been disputed by several sources, not least their former record company. In March 2007, six former members of the group (Faure plus the “classic line-up”) announced a lawsuit against Arista Records in hopes of claiming what they describe as “tens of millions of dollars” of unpaid royalties. Nobby Clark has threatened to sue the other band members if their lawsuit is successful, stating that he was the creative force behind the band’s success, despite the fact that he left the group in 1973 before the bulk of their fame and fortune began. Source and more information: Wikipedia

Beastie Boys

videeoo — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:08:57 +0000

Rating 5 Stars Beastie Boys are one of the longest lived hip-hop acts worldwide and continue to enjoy commercial and critical success in 2009, more than 25 years after the release of their debut album. On September 27, 2007, the Beastie Boys were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2009, the Beastie Boys released digitally remastered deluxe editions of their albums Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head’, Ill Communication and Hello Nasty. Beastie Boys is an American hip hop group from New York City. The Beastie Boys comprises Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz. Since around the time of the Hello Nasty album, the DJ for the group has been Michael “Mix Master Mike” Schwartz, who was first featured in the song “Three MCs and One DJ”. Beastie Boys began as a hardcore punk group in 1979, appeared on the compilation cassette New York Thrash with Riot Fight and Beastie, and released their debut EP in 1982. After achieving moderate local success with the 1983 release of experimental hip-hop 12″ Cooky Puss, the Beastie Boys switched to hip-hop in 1984 and a string of successful 12″ singles followed culminating with their debut album Licensed to Ill (1986) which enjoyed international critical acclaim and commercial success. The Beastie Boys are well-known for its eclecticism, jocular and flippant attitude toward interviews and interviewers, obscure cultural references and kitschy lyrics, and for performing in outlandish matching suits. Source and more information: Wikipedia

Blood, Sweat & Tears

videeoo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:07:53 +0000

Rating 3 Stars We give them an extra star because they raise a lot of money for charity Blood, Sweat & Tears has been through numerous line-up changes, see below Blood, Sweat & Tears continues its heavy touring schedule throughout the world with its current line-up of members, some of whom have been with the band previously during the past two decades. The band has gone through to many member line-up changes to cover in this brief article. Under the direction of Larry Dorr and founding member Bobby Colomby, the band has enjoyed something of a resurgence. Blood, Sweat & Tears donates money through its “Elsie Monica Colomby” music scholarship fund to deserving schools and students who need help in prolonging their musical education, such as the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The year 2007 witnessed the band’s first world tour in a decade. Since late 2005, the band often does shows backing up former Three Dog Night singer Chuck Negron, where the group will play its own set and then another set that includes Chuck’s Three Dog Night hits. 2008 brings with it the anticipated return of founding member Steve Katz. The year is also the 40th touring anniversary, and surprise alumni are expected to be joining the band throughout the year. All of the band’s albums, with the exception of Brand New Day, are currently available on compact disc. BS&T’s first four albums were reissued by Sony Records in remastered editions (typically with bonus material), except for its third album, which has been reissued by Mobile Fidelity. The later Columbia albums have been reissued by Wounded Bird Records, and Rhino Records has reissued Nuclear Blues. Brand New Day was issued on CD in Russia in 2002, although the disc may not have received authorization from copyright holders. Current Line-up

Steve Katz :guitar,harmonica, vocals Rob Paparozzi : vocals, harmonica Dave Gellis : guitar Glenn McClelland : keyboards Gary Foote : bass

Andrea Valentini : drums Teddy Mulet : trumpet

Steve Jankowski : trumpet

Jens Wendelboe : trombone

Tom Timko : sax

Former Band Members Al Kooper : keyboards, vocals (1967-1968) Randy Brecker : trumpet, flugelhorn (1967-1968) Jerry Weiss : trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals (1967-1968) Fred Lipsius : alto sax, keyboards (1967-1972) Dick Halligan : keyboards, trombone, horns, flute, backing vocals (1967-1972) Steve Katz : guitar, harmonica, lute, mandolin, vocals (1967-1973, 2008-) Jim Fielder : bass, guitar, backing vocals (1967-1974) Bobby Colomby : drums, percussion, backing vocals (1967-1977) David Clayton-Thomas : vocals, guitar (1968-1972, 1974-1981, 1984-2004) Lew Soloff : trumpet, flugelhorn (1968-1974) Chuck Winfield : trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals (1968-1973) Jerry Hyman : trombones, recorder (1968-1970) Dave Bargeron : trombone, tuba, horns, bass, backing vocals (1970-1978) Bobby Doyle : vocals, piano (1972) Joe Henderson : tenor sax (1972) Lou Marini Jr. : tenor & soprano sax, flute (1972-1974) Larry Willis : keyboards (1972-1978) Georg Wadenius : guitar, vocals (1972-1975) Jerry Fisher : vocals (1972-1974) Tom Malone : trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, alto sax, bass (1973-1974) Jerry LaCroix : vocals, alto sax, flute, harmonica (1974) Ron McClure : bass (1974-1975, 1976) Tony Klatka : trumpet, horns (1974-1978) Bill Tillman : alto sax, flute, clarinet, backing vocals (1974-1977) Luther Kent : vocals (1974-1976) Joe Giorgianni : trumpet, flugelhorn (1974-1975) Jaco Pastorius : bass (1975-1976) Steve Khan : guitar (1975) Mike Stern : guitar (1975-1977) Keith Jones : bass (1976) Danny Trifan : bass (1976-1977) Forrest Buchtell : trumpet (1975-1977) Don Alias : percussion (1975-1976) Roy McCurdy : drums (1976-1977) Jeff Richman : guitar (1976 fill in for Stern) Randy Bernsen : guitar (1977) Barry Finnerty : guitar (1977-1978) Neil Stubenhaus : bass (1977-1978) Gregory Herbert : saxophone (1977-1978) Michael Lawrence ; trumpet (1977) Chris Albert : trumpet (1977-1978) Bobby Economou : drums (1977-1978, 1979-1981, 1994-1995) Kenny Marco : guitar (1979) David Piltch : bass (1979-1980) Joe Sealy : keyboards (1979) Bruce Cassidy : trumpet, flugelhorn (1979-1980) Earl Seymour : sax, flute (1979-1981) Steve Kennedy : sax, flute (1979) Sally Chappis : drums (1979) Harvey Kogan : sax, flute (1979) Jack Scarangella : drums (1979) Vernon Dorge : sax, flute (1979-1981) Robert Piltch : guitar (1979-1980) Richard Martinez : keyboards (1979-1980) Wayne Pedzwater : bass (1980-1981) Peter Harris : guitar (1980-1981) Lou Pomanti : keyboards (1980-1981) Mic Gillette : trumpet (1980-1981) James Kidwell : guitar (1984-1985) Jeff Andrews : bass (1984-1985) Taras Kovayl : keyboards (1984-1985) Tim Ouimette : trumpet, horns (1984-1985) Mario Cruz : sax, flute (1984-1985) Ricky Sebastian : drums (1984-1985) Steve Guttman : trumpet (1985-2004) Dave Gellis : guitar (1985-1990, 1996, 1998 fill in, 2005) Ray Peterson : bass (1985-1986) Scott Kreitzer : sax, flute (1985-1986) Teddy Mulet : trombone (1985-1986), trumpet (2005- ) Barry Danielian : trumpet (1985-1986) Richard Sussman : keyboards (1985-1987) Randy Andos : trombone (1986) Tom Timko : sax, flute (1986-1987, 1995, 1998-2001, 2005-2008) Tom DeFaria : drums (1985-1986) John Conte : bass (1986-1987) Steve Conte : guitar (1986 fill in) Jeff Gellis : bass (1987-1990) Dave Panichi : trombone (1987-1988, 1997-1998) Glenn McClelland : keyboards (1987-1993, 1998, 2005- ) David Riekenberg : sax, flute (1987- 1990, 1995-1998) Jerry Sokolov : trumpet (1987-1994) Graham Hawthorne : drums (1987-1988, 1989-1991) Van Romaine : drums (1988-1989) Neil Capolongo : drums (1991-1993) Peter Abbott : drums (fill in early 90s) Charley Gordon : trombone (1987-1994, 2001) Wayne Schuster : sax, flute (1990-1991) Larry DeBari : guitar, vocals (1990-1997) Gary Foote : bass (1990-1994, 1996-2004, 2005- ) Chuck Fisher : sax, flute (1991) Jack Bashcow : sax, flute (1992) Tim Ries : sax, flute (1992-1993, 1993-1995) Charlie Cole : sax, flute (1993) Matt King keyboards (1994-1998) Mike Mancini : keyboards (fill in 80s/90s) Franck Amsallem keyboards (fill in mid 90s) Henry Hey : keyboards (fill in mid 90s) Ted Kooshian keyboards (fill in mid 90s) Cliff Korman keyboards (fill in mid 90s) Mike DuClos bass : (1994-1996) Jonathan Peretz : drums (1995-1997) Craig Johnson : trumpet (1994-1998) Matt Milmerstadt drums : (1995 , 1998) Tom Guarna : guitar (1997-1998) Jon Owens : trumpet (1998-2000) Chuck Pillow : sax, flute (fill in 1998) Brian Delaney : drums (1998, 2001) Dave Stahl : trumpet (fill in 1995-1998) Winston Byrd : trumpet (fill in 1998) Dave Pietro : sax, flute (fill in 1998) Dale Kirkland : trombone (1995-1996, 1998, 1999-2001, 2002-2006 Pat Hallaran : trombone (1998-1999) James Fox : guitar (1998-2000) Dan Zank : keyboards (1998-2000) Zach Danziger : drums (1998-2001) Joe Mosello : trumpet (2000-2002) Phil Magallanes : keyboards (2000-2001) Andrea Valentini : drums (2001- ) Darcy Hepner : sax, flute (1999 fill in, 2001-2004) John Samorian : keyboards (2001-2003) Nick Marchione : trumpet (2002-2004) Eric Cortright : keyboards (2003-2004) Leo Huppert: bass (2004) Steve Jankowski: trumpet (2005- ) Rob Paparozzi: vocals, harmonica (2005- ) Scottie Wallace: vocals (alternating with Rob P. 2005-2006) Thomas Conner : vocals (fill in 2006 & 2007) Jens Wendelboe: trombone (2006- ) Chris Tedesco : trumpet (fill in for Mulet 2006-2007) Brian Steel : trumpet (fill in for Mulet 2008) Bill Churchville : sax (fill in for Timko 2008) Source and more information: Wikipedia

Culture Club

videeoo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:18:49 +0000

Culture Club is not touring at his time. Culture Club were a British pop group that formed in the early 1980s. The Culture Club band consisted of Boy George (lead vocals), Mikey Craig (bass guitar), Roy Hay (guitar and keyboards), and Jon Moss (drums and percussion). From the time of the Culture Club’s first album release in 1982 to its dissolution in 1986, Culture Club had amassed hits in several countries around the world, including ten Top Forty hits in the US, most of which went Top Ten. Culture Club went on to have subsequent hits in the UK during a reunion period of 1998–2002, where they scored a #4 single and a #25 single. Culture Club have sold approximately 22 million albums worldwide The Culture Club first tried to reunite in 1989 after many requests from Tony Gordon, the group’s former manager and Boy George’s current manager at that time. Boy George agreed to try some songs with the band again, resulting in recording sessions that went quite well and producing more than a dozen songs that are still unreleased to this day. Boy George, however, was more excited about his future projects like his record label, More Protein, and his dance-oriented music he was looking to release. The reunion would end up being cancelled. In 1998,Boy George and Jon put their differences aside and the band actually reunited to do a reunion tour, kicking off with a performance on VH1 Storytellers. The tour was a major success. A compilation album based around the Storytellers performance was released, and went platinum in UK, which included new songs such as “I Just Wanna Be Loved”, which hit UK #4. Their 1999 studio album Don’t Mind If I Do peaked at #64 in the UK. It included moderate UK hits in “Your Kisses Are Charity” (UK #25) and “Cold Shoulder” (UK #43). Culture Club went on to tour, then reunited again for a 20th anniversary concert in 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall. This performance was released on DVD the following year. Culture Club then became inactive again, largely due to Boy George’s successful DJ career. In 2006, two original members of Culture Club (Craig and Moss), tried to launch a new tour with another lead singer. (George and Roy Hay had declined to tour). Early that year, the band’s record company placed an ad for a lead singer to “…take part in a 2007 World Tour and TV Series.” The new singer, Sam Butcher was selected because of his own personality, “not a Boy George lookalike.” Boy George expressed his displeasure in the press, even though Culture Club’s MySpace page says otherwise. A tour was announced for December 2006 in the UK, but was postponed to give the new line-up time to finish recording their album. Without official press statements, in 2007, Culture Club band manager Tony Gordon, said that the project was “on hold”, while drummer Jon Moss stated that the project was shelved. Source and more information: Wikipedia

Dr. Hook

videeoo — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:09:59 +0000

Rating 2 Stars Ray (Eye Patch) Sawyer left Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show in 1983 to pursue a solo career, while the band continued to tour successfully for another couple of years, ending with the Dr. Hook’s One and Only Farewell Tour, with Dennis Locorriere as the sole front man. In 1988 Sawyer went back on the road as “Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook”, this billing eventually being altered to “Dr. Hook featuring Ray (Eye Patch) Sawyer”. In the early 2000s, Billy Francis began joining Ray to play some shows. Dennis Locorriere, who was the original singer of Sylvis mother, relocated to Nashville and wrote songs for many other artists. In 1989, Dennis Locorriere performed a well received one-man show at Lincoln Center, The Devil and Billy Markham, written by Silverstein. Dennis Locorriere has since released two solo studio albums (Out of the Dark in 2000 and One of the Lucky Ones in 2005), a live CD set in 2004 (Live in Liverpool), a concert DVD (Alone with Dennis Locorriere) and has toured to packed houses in recent years as the Voice of Dr. Hook. In March 2007, Dennis Locorriere (and band) embarked on the Dennis Locorriere Celebrates Dr. Hook Hits and History Tour, to promote the release of the Dr. Hook Hits and History CD/DVD set. This tour was “greatest hits and more” tour, that is, as Dennis Locorriere puts it, “for the fans.” A live DVD of the tour was released in July 2007, and went straight into the official UK music DVD chart at number 10. A new studio album of original material is expected from Dennis Locorriere in late 2007, early 2008. A U.S. single will be released in 2007. John Christian Wolters, who played drums with the band from 1974 to 1984, died on June 16, 1997, of liver cancer. Robert Jance Garfat, who played bass with the band from 1971 to 1984, died on November 6, 2006, in a motorcycle accident. Sourse and more Information: Wikipedia