The Romantics

Last updated

The Romantics
TheRomantics2003.jpg
The Romantics in 2003
Background information
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Years active1977–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Website theromanticsdetroit.com

The Romantics is an American rock band formed in 1977 in Detroit. The band is often put under the banner of power pop and new wave. They were influenced by 1950s American rock and roll, Detroit's MC5, the Stooges, early Bob Seger, Motown R&B, 1960s North American garage rock as well as the British Invasion rockers. [1]

Contents

The Romantics achieved substantial popularity in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and Australia, with their two best-charting songs "What I Like About You", peaking at #49 in the US and #2 in Australia, and "Talking in Your Sleep", reaching #3 in the US, #1 in Canada, and #14 in Australia. The two songs have become mainstays on 1980s-focused, classic rock, and active rock radio stations. Their debut album, released on January 4, 1980, in the UK, has the distinction of being the first record to be released in that decade.

Career

The Romantics and National Breakout (1977–1982)

The Romantics' original lineup consisted of vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and harmonicist Wally Palmar; lead guitarist and vocalist Mike Skill; bassist and backing vocalist Rich Cole; and drummer and vocalist Jimmy Marinos. All four band members made songwriting contributions to the group, but Palmar and Skill were considered the band's primary tunesmiths. The band's first show was on Valentine's Day at My Fair Lady Club in Detroit, opening for the New MC5 in 1977. For three years, the band was on the road, playing in venues like Boston's Rathskeller, New York City's CBGB and Max's Kansas City, and Cleveland's Agora. [1] [2] They were signed to Nat Weiss' Nemperor after a show at Hurrahs, and in September 1979, the band recorded their debut self-titled album with British producer Pete Solley. [2] [3] The group's true record debut was the 1978 single on Spider Records, "Little White Lies" (b/w "I Can't Tell You Anything"), followed that year by the Bomp! single "Tell It to Carrie" (b/w "First in Line"). All of these were re-recorded later for the first LP. [2]

Gnome-mime-audio-openclipart.svg
"What I Like About You", from the album The Romantics
Excerpt exemplifying the band's catchy, energetic sound and style
"Talking in Your Sleep", from the album In Heat
Excerpt
Problems playing these files? See media help.

The album sold roughly 200,000 copies [2] and yielded the hit "What I Like About You", which reached #49 in the US, [4] #8 in the Netherlands, [5] and #2 in Australia, where the band was especially popular. As all four members were singers, the straightforward beat of "What I Like About You" lent the opportunity for drummer Jimmy Marinos to take the vocals. [1]

Mike Skill left the band after the release of the album National Breakout in 1980. He was replaced by lead guitarist Coz Canler. This lineup of the band recorded the album Strictly Personal in 1981 with producer Mike Stone, who had produced for Queen. [2] Due to frustrations with the songwriting featured on the record, Rich Cole was replaced by a returning Skill, who took over as the band's bassist. [2]

Commercial success (1983–1986)

With Skill back in, the band began playing arenas with Cheap Trick, the Kinks, and the Cars. Solley was also rehired in 1983 as their producer for their fourth album In Heat. [2] In Heat would be The Romantics' greatest commercial success, and was awarded a gold album in the United States for selling over 500,000 copies. [6] It eventually would sell over 900,000 US copies. [2] In Heat was also awarded a gold album in Canada (for over 50,000 copies sold). [7] The first single taken from In Heat, "Talking in Your Sleep", hit #3 for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, [4] reached #2 on the Album Rock Tracks, [8] and #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. [9]

It was also a global success, scoring in many other countries such as #1 in Canada [10] and #5 in Sweden. [11] The single "One in a Million" peaked at #37 during the following year on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart [4] and went to #21 on the Hot Dance Club Play Chart. [9] The Romantics' music videos frequently were shown on MTV during this period, solidifying the band's popularity. Also during 1983, the Romantics played U.S. and international tours in support of In Heat, and appeared on television shows such as Solid Gold , American Bandstand , and Soul Train . [2]

In 1984, drummer Jimmy Marinos left the Romantics, and he was replaced by David Petratos, who served as the band's drummer until 1990. [2] This lineup released one album, 1985's Rhythm Romance , which peaked at #72 [4] and produced one charting single ("Test of Time" #71). [12] Detroit keyboardist Barry Warner was added to the band for the following 1985–1986 tour. Due to the tour for Rhythm Romance being thwarted by low ticket sales and mounting tension between the band and its management, The Romantics were dropped from the Sony record label. [2]

1990–present

In the late 1980s, the Romantics discovered that their managers had been misappropriating the profits earned by the band from its records and live performances. Additionally, one of their releases (the aforementioned "What I Like About You") had been licensed for use in television commercials without the band's knowledge or approval. Consequently, the Romantics filed a lawsuit against their management in 1987, and the legalities involved prevented the band from recording new music until the mid-1990s. [13]

Former Blondie drummer Clem Burke replaced David Petratos as the Romantics' drummer in 1990. For much of the 1990s, the Romantics played obscure performances in small venues, largely forgotten and out of the public spotlight.

The Romantics' fortunes began to rise again in the middle of the 1990s, as the band's success in its lawsuit against its former management freed the band to record again (and ensured that future earnings from the licensing of Romantics songs would go to the band). The first fruit of the band's new recording activity was the 1993 UK-only EP Made In Detroit. [2] Several Romantics greatest hits packages were issued during the 1990s, as was the live album The King Biscuit Flour Hour Presents: The Romantics Live In Concert, a 1996 release of an October 1983 recording of a Romantics concert in San Antonio, Texas at the height of the band's popularity.

Jimmy Marinos, the Romantics' original drummer, temporarily returned to the band for a series of performances in 1996–1997 (with Clem Burke returning to the Romantics' drumstool after Marinos departed again). In 2003, twenty years after the release of their most commercially successful album, In Heat, the Romantics released 61/49 –a more roots rock and blues-oriented record than the band's previous efforts. Although Clem Burke performed as the band's primary drummer on the release, original drummer Jimmy Marinos is featured on half of the tracks. The album was not a great commercial success.

A fourth drummer, Brad Elvis, (formerly from The Elvis Brothers, and currently The Handcuffs) replaced Clem Burke as the Romantics' regular drummer in 2004 after Burke returned full-time to a reactivated Blondie. [14] The Romantics continue to play live concerts today.[ when? ]

Rich Cole returned to the band after a long absence in 2010. Longtime lead guitarist Coz Canler left the band in 2011, [15] allowing Skill to return to the original lead guitarist role he held in the band.

In 2004, the band's album 61/49 was named most Outstanding National Small/Independent Label Album at the Detroit Music Awards, [16] and in June 2011, the Romantics were voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame. [17]

Lawsuit

On November 21, 2007, The Romantics filed a lawsuit against Activision, RedOctane, Harmonix, and Wavegroup Sound over the cover of the song "What I Like About You" used in Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s . While the game developers did secure appropriate rights to cover the song in the game, The Romantics claim that the cover is "virtually indistinguishable from the authentic version" and thus would "[confuse] consumers into believing that the band actually recorded the music and endorsed the product". The lawsuit requested the cessation of sales of the game and monetary damage.

A summary judgment hearing was held on July 9, 2008, [18] the case was dismissed the next month, and U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds stated that Activision had obtained the proper licensing for the works and that the band no longer held the copyright on the work. [19]

Band members

Current Members

Former Members [lower-alpha 1]

Touring Members

Timeline

The Romantics

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbumPeak positionsCertifications
US
[12] 		AUS
[20] 		CAN
[21] [22] 		SWE
[23]
1980 The Romantics 6178——
National Breakout 176———
1981 Strictly Personal 182———
1983 In Heat [A] 14—733
  • CAN: Gold
  • USA: Gold [6]
1985 Rhythm Romance 72—62—
2003 61/49 ————
"—" denotes releases that failed to chart

EPs

YearAlbum
1979Tell It to Carrie/Runnin' Away/First in Line/Let's Swing
1993Made in Detroit
  • UK-release only

Live albums

YearAlbum
1986The Best of the Biscuit
  • Notes: Recorded at Daddy's in San Antonio, Texas on May 6, 1984
1996The King Biscuit Flour Hour Presents: The Romantics Live in Concert
  • Notes: Recorded October 30, 1983 in San Antonio, Texas.
Live – One Night Stand

Compilation albums

YearAlbum
1990What I Like About You (And Other Romantic Hits)
1998Super Hits

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsCertificationAlbum
US
[4] 		US Main Rock
[8] 		US Dance
[9] 		AUS
[24] 		CAN
[10] 		GER
[25] 		NL
[5] 		SWE
[11] 		SWI
[26]
1977"Little White Lies"—x———————Non-album singles
1978"Tell It to Carrie"—x———————
1980"What I Like About You"49x—2——8——The Romantics
"When I Look in Your Eyes"—x———————
"Tell It to Carrie" (re-release)—x———————
"Forever Yours"—x———————National Breakout
1981"A Night Like This"—x———————
"No One Like You"—————————Strictly Personal
1983"Talking in Your Sleep"3211411824520In Heat
"Rock You Up"—49———————
1984"One in a Million"372221——————
1985"Test of Time"7144———————Rhythm Romance
"Mystified"——42——————
2015"Coming Back Home"—————————Non-album singles
"Deck the Halls"—————————
2016"Daydream Believer" (The Monkees cover)—————————
"We Gotta Get Out of This Place"—————————
2017"Hush"—————————
"I Fought the Law"—————————
"—" denotes releases that failed to chart | "x" denotes that the chart did not exist at the time.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cracker (band)</span> American rock band

Cracker is an American rock band formed in 1990 by lead singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. The band's first album Cracker was released in 1992 on Virgin Records; it included the single "Teen Angst ", which went to #1 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart. The band's follow-up, the 1993 album Kerosene Hat included the hit songs "Low", "Get Off This", and "Euro-Trash Girl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clem Burke</span> American musician (born 1954)

Clement Burke is an American musician who is best known as the drummer for the band Blondie from 1975, shortly after the band formed, throughout the band's entire career. He also played drums for the Ramones for a brief time in 1987, under the name Elvis Ramone.

<i>In the Garden</i> (Eurythmics album) 1981 studio album by Eurythmics

In the Garden is the debut studio album by the British new wave duo Eurythmics. It was released on 16 October 1981 by RCA Records.

<i>Face the Heat</i> 1993 studio album by Scorpions

Face the Heat is the twelfth studio album released by the German hard rock band Scorpions in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What I Like About You (The Romantics song)</span> 1979 single by The Romantics

"What I Like About You" is a song by American rock band the Romantics. Written by band members Wally Palmar, Mike Skill and Jimmy Marinos in 1979, the song is included on the band's self-titled debut album (1980), and was also released as a single in late 1979. Marinos, the band's drummer, is the lead vocalist on the song. The band filmed a music video for the song that appeared frequently on MTV during the early 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear</span> 1978 single by Blondie

"(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear" is a song by the American band Blondie, from their 1978 album Plastic Letters. Written by former Blondie bassist Gary Valentine, the song was based on the telepathic connections that Valentine believed he experienced with his girlfriend, journalist Lisa Jane Persky, while on tour. Though Valentine had recently left the band, drummer Clem Burke convinced the band to record the song for Plastic Letters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliot Easton</span> American guitarist

Elliot Easton is an American musician who is best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the American new wave band the Cars. His melodic guitar solos are an integral part of the band's music. Easton has also recorded music as a solo artist, and has played in other bands. He is a left-handed guitarist. In 2018, Easton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cars.

<i>Autoamerican</i> 1980 studio album by Blondie

Autoamerican is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blondie. It was released in November 1980 and reached No. 3 in the UK charts, No. 7 in the US, and No. 8 in Australia. The album spawned two singles, "The Tide Is High" and "Rapture". "The Tide Is High" hit number one in several countries, including the US and the UK. "Rapture" became the first rap song ever to reach number one on the singles chart in the US. It also reached number five in the UK and number four in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreaming (Blondie song)</span> 1979 single by Blondie

"Dreaming" is a song by American new wave band Blondie. Released in 1979, the song was the opening track from their fourth album Eat to the Beat. Written by guitarist Chris Stein and singer Debbie Harry and partially inspired by ABBA's "Dancing Queen," the song also features an active drum performance by drummer Clem Burke, who did not expect the final recording to feature his busy drum track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talking in Your Sleep (The Romantics song)</span> 1983 single by the Romantics

"Talking in Your Sleep" is a song by American rock band the Romantics. Released in September 1983, It became the band's most successful single in the US, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984. The song would have a release two months later in Australia and New Zealand, a release later that year in Japan, and in January 1984 in the UK. It failed to chart in both countries. It became a UK hit in August that year for British group Bucks Fizz. The song is in natural minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On the Road Again (Canned Heat song)</span> Hit single

"On the Road Again" is a song recorded by the American blues rock group Canned Heat in 1967. A driving blues rock boogie, it was adapted from earlier blues songs and includes mid-1960s psychedelic rock elements. Unlike most of Canned Heat's songs from the period which were sung by Bob Hite, second guitarist and harmonica player Alan Wilson provides the distinctive high pitched vocal, sometimes described as a falsetto.

<i>Rhythm Romance</i> 1985 studio album by The Romantics

Rhythm Romance is the fifth album by Detroit rock band The Romantics, released on Nemperor Records in 1985.

<i>The Romantics</i> (album) 1980 studio album by The Romantics

The Romantics is the debut album of American rock band The Romantics, released on 4 January 1980 under Nemperor Records giving it the distinction of being the first pop record released in the 1980s. It includes the Billboard Hot 100 hit "What I Like About You", which peaked at #49.

<i>The Story So Far</i> (Bucks Fizz album) 1988 compilation album by Bucks Fizz

The Story So Far is a compilation album by British pop group Bucks Fizz, released in 1988. The album collects together 18 of the group's biggest hit singles spanning the years 1981 to 1988, including their three number ones.

<i>Strictly Personal</i> (The Romantics album) 1981 studio album by The Romantics

Strictly Personal is the third album by The Romantics. It was released in 1981 on Nemperor Records.

<i>In Heat</i> (The Romantics album) 1983 studio album by The Romantics

In Heat is the fourth album by the American band the Romantics. It was released in 1983 on Nemperor Records. It was the Romantics' most commercially successful album, and featured the Romantics's biggest hit single: "Talking in Your Sleep", peaking at #3, and a second top 40 hit, "One in a Million", charted #37.

<i>61/49</i> 2003 studio album by The Romantics

61/49 is the sixth studio album by The Romantics. It was released by WEB Entertainment in 2003, 18 years after their previous album Rhythm Romance, marking their biggest gap between their releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wally Palmar</span> Ukrainian-American musician

Volodymyr Palamarchuk, known professionally as Wally Palmar, is an American musician best known as a founding member and lead singer of the Detroit rock band the Romantics.

"Secrets" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his third studio album Starboy (2016). The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, Martin "Doc" McKinney, and Henry "Cirkut" Walter, with Dylan Wiggins, Roland Orzabal, Coz Canler, Jimmy Marinos, Wally Palamarchuk, Mike Skill, and Peter Solley receiving writing credits for the sampling of the new wave songs "Pale Shelter" by Tears for Fears and "Talking in Your Sleep" by the Romantics. "Secrets" was released to radio in Italy on November 10, 2017, as the album's final international single.

Paladin was a British progressive rock band which released two albums on the Bronze Records label.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Former members Jimmy Marinos, David Petratos, and Clem Burke occasionally make guest appearances. Rich Cole occasionally made guest appearances during his absence from 1982 until 2010.

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Valcourt, Keith (August 3, 2016). "The Romantics: 'Made in Detroit'". The Washington Times. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Smith, Brian (September 10, 2003). "Test of time". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Interview with Peter Solley". DME. December 2004. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Romantics". billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Dutch Charts". dutchcharts. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – October 21, 2014". riaa.com. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Gold Album(S) Archives – Page 460 of 578". Music Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "The Romantics Chart History". billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 "The Romantics Chart History". billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Item: 3131". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Swedish Charts". swedishcharts. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "The Romantics Chart History". billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  13. ↑ Carlozo, Lou (March 11, 1998). "Romantics Learn Hard Lesson in Royalties". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  14. ↑ Torem, Lisa (May 15, 2016). "Brad Elvis – Interview". Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  15. ↑ "The Romantics Settle Royalties Lawsuit with Former Member". ABC News Radio. July 24, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  16. ↑ "2004 Detroit Music Awards Winners". Music Industry News Network. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Best Albums of 2008 - Michigan Rock and Roll Legends". Michiganrockandrolllegends.com. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  18. ↑ Hochberg, Bill (August 2, 2008). "Guitar Hero, Rock Band and the Rock 'n' Roll Money Machine". Wired . Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  19. ↑ Van Buskirk, Eliot (August 25, 2008). "Judge Tosses Romantics' Guitar Hero Lawsuit". Wired . Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  20. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 257. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  21. ↑ "Item: 3870". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Item: 346". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Swedish Charts". swedishcharts. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  24. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  25. ↑ "Talking in Your Sleep" . Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  26. ↑ "hitparade" . Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  27. ↑ "International Certifications" (PDF). Cash Box . October 25, 1980. p. 43. Retrieved December 3, 2021– via World Radio History.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.