The Boomtown Rats are an Irish rock band originally formed in Dublin in 1975. Between 1977 and 1985, they had a series of Irish and UK hits including "Like Clockwork", "Rat Trap", "I Don't Like Mondays" and "Banana Republic". The original line-up comprised five musicians from Dún Laoghaire in County Dublin; Gerry Cott, Simon Crowe (drums), Johnnie Fingers (keyboards), Bob Geldof (vocals) and Garry Roberts, plus Fingers' cousin Pete Briquette (bass). The Boomtown Rats broke up in 1986, but reformed in 2013, without Fingers or Cott. Garry Roberts died in 2022. The band's fame and notability have been overshadowed by the charity work of frontman Bob Geldof, a former journalist with the New Musical Express.
The Dazz Band is an American R&B/funk band most popular in the early 1980s. Emerging from Cleveland, Ohio, the group's biggest hit songs include "Let It Whip" (1982), "Joystick" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (1984). The name of the band is a portmanteau of the description "danceable jazz".
Frehley's Comet was an American rock band formed and led by ex-Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley. The group released two studio albums and one live EP before Frehley left the band to release his 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin'.
John Charles Waite is an English musician. As a solo artist, he has released ten studio albums and is best known for the 1984 hit single "Missing You", which reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten on the UK Singles Chart. He was also the lead vocalist for the successful rock bands The Babys and Bad English.
Sniff 'n' the Tears is a British rock band best known for their 1978 song "Driver's Seat", a moderate hit in many countries. The band is led by singer/songwriter Paul Roberts, the band's sole constant member.
Leo Sayer is the self-titled sixth album by English singer-songwriter Leo Sayer, and released in 1978.
Toronto is a Canadian rock band formed in the late 1970s in Toronto, Ontario, and perhaps best known for the top-ten Canadian hit "Your Daddy Don't Know", and for writing and performing the original version of "What About Love," a song that would later become a top-ten comeback single for the band Heart.
Kix is an American glam metal and hard rock band that achieved popularity during the 1980s. Led by front man Steve Whiteman and bassist Donnie Purnell, the band's classic lineup was rounded out by guitarists Ronnie "10/10" Younkins and Brian "Damage" Forsythe and drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant. Kix covered AC/DC, Aerosmith, April Wine, Led Zeppelin, and others before signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. Since peaking in the late-1980s, band members have continued to intermittently record and tour, including the Rocklahoma festival in 2008 in Oklahoma. In addition, they are a consistent presence at the annual M3 Rock Festival in the band's home state of Maryland.
The Babys are a British rock group best known for their songs "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You". Both songs were composed by Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy, and each reached No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Cashbox chart in the late 1970s. "Back on My Feet Again" also reached the U.S. Top 40 in 1979. The original Babys line-up consisted of founding member keyboardist/guitarist Michael Corby, and, in order of joining the group, vocalist/bassist John Waite, drummer Tony Brock, and guitarist Wally Stocker.
Killers is the second compilation album by American hard rock group Kiss. It was released only outside the US, but quickly became available as an import. Of the album's twelve songs, four were new compositions recorded specifically for it: "I'm a Legend Tonight," "Down on Your Knees," "Nowhere to Run" and "Partners in Crime." These new songs were recorded at the behest of Phonogram, in response to the commercial failure of 1981's Music from "The Elder".
Unmasked is the eighth studio album by American hard rock band Kiss, released on May 20, 1980. It was their first not to feature drummer Peter Criss. Despite having no involvement in its production, Criss features in the album's artwork and the video for "Shandi", and also receives credit.
Holly Knight is an American songwriter, musician, and singer. She was a member of the 1980s pop rock groups Spider and Device, and wrote or co-wrote several hit singles for other artists, such as "Rag Doll", "Obsession", "Love Is a Battlefield", "(Simply) The Best", "Invincible", "Better Be Good to Me", "The Warrior", and "Change".
Anton Fig, known as "The Thunder from Down Under", is a South African session drummer, perhaps best known as the drummer and second-in-command for Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band. David Letterman, for whom the band served as house band on his late-night talk shows, often referred to Fig as "Anton Zip" or "Buddy Rich Jr." Fig is also well known for his work with Kiss, Ace Frehley and Joe Bonamassa.
Toby Beau is an American band from Texas, formed in the early 1970s and perhaps best known for the 1978 hit single, "My Angel Baby". The band is still in existence today and continues to perform on the club circuit. The band's name was based from one of the last original wooden shrimp boats docked in the Gulf Coast community of Port Isabel, Texas.
"Shandi" is a hit single by American hard rock band Kiss. Released on their 1980 album, Unmasked, the song was popular in Australia, where it reached number five on the Australian charts. The song would prove to be a hit in other countries as well, making the top ten in three other countries. "Shandi" peaked at number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
Device was a short-lived American pop-rock trio from the mid 1980s, formed by keyboardist, bassist and vocalist Holly Knight. It also included frontman Paul Engemann and guitarist Gene Black.
Cool Kids is the second studio album by the glam metal band Kix. Released in 1983 on Atlantic Records, it is the only Kix album to feature Brad Divens of Wrathchild America and Souls at Zero on guitar.
Midnite Dynamite is the third studio album by American glam metal band Kix, released in 1985 by Atlantic Records. It features 7 out of 10 songs co-written by bassist Donnie Purnell with hit songwriter Bob Halligan Jr.. Kip Winger was credited on one song and Crack the Sky frontman John Palumbo on three. Only one other Kix member contributed to the songwriting, Steve Whiteman on, "Sex."
Franke and the Knockouts was an American pop rock band, formed in New Jersey, United States, and fronted by singer/songwriter Franke Previte.
Fast Forward was a Canadian band formed in 1984 in Vancouver. Featuring Ian Lloyd, former lead singer of Stories and a solo artist, the band released one album, Living in Fiction.
