Platinum blonde biography

Platinum Blonde (band)

Canadian rock band

Platinum Blonde, known briefly as The Blondes, is a Canadian rock crowd that formed in Toronto, Lake in 1979. Vocalist Mark Author has been the only steady member of the band because its inception.

In his 2016 book, Is This Live?: Interior the Wild Early Years be beaten MuchMusic: The Nation's Music Station, Canadian songwriter and former MuchMusicVJ, Christopher Ward said of ethics band: "If ever there was a Canadian band that was tailor-made for the video harvest, it was Platinum Blonde."[1]

The knot was most prominent in high-mindedness 1980s with singles such rightfully "Standing in the Dark", "Not in Love", "Doesn't Really Matter", "Situation Critical" and "Crying Intimation You".

In 1984 they were one of the top-selling Commotion bands in Canada, second sui generis incomparabl to Rush. At that heart, the line-up consisted of Regard Holmes on lead vocals pole bass, Sergio Galli on bass, and Chris Steffler on drums. Scottish musician Kenny MacLean became the band's bassist and keyboardist in 1985.

The band poverty-stricke up in 1989.

Inspired vulgar MacLean's frequent suggestions of nifty reunion over the years, Character, Galli and Steffler brought blue blood the gentry band back together in 2010 (MacLean had died in 2008.) The band was inducted walkout the Canadian Music and Send out Industry Hall of Fame imprisoned 2010. On September 28, 2023, Platinum Blonde was inducted experience Canada's Walk of Fame.[2]

History

Mark Writer emigrated from Mansfield, England industrial action Canada in 1977.[3][4] He tricky commercial art college, apprenticed run to ground hairdressing and played in bands on the side.[4] Platinum Cream was initially formed in Toronto in 1979 as a inferior and new wave band digress consisted of Mark Holmes pull a fast one vocals and guitar, Joey Ciotti on vocals and bass bass, and Ray Bailie on drums.[5][6] They played songs by specified artists as Marc Bolan, City Glitter and The Police.[4] Handset 1980 they released a seven-inch single with the songs "Hey Hey You" and "No Regrets", but eventually disbanded.[6]

In 1982, Author placed a want ad comic story a Toronto newspaper looking connote new musicians to join nobility band.[4] Drummer Chris Steffler sit guitarist Sergio Galli answered nobleness ad to meet the 19 year old Holmes.[4] Steffler (b.

1957) had known Holmes dismiss the music circles in description Toronto club scene while video and playing with future bassist Kenny McLean in 79'.[7] Galli (b. 1959/1960) was enrolled obligate the architecture program at interpretation University of Toronto when let go answered Holmes' ad.[8]

The band reliable a seven track demo strip on a four-track recorder extremity sent it to British song producer David Tickle who collide their sound and flew come up to Toronto to work with them.[4][9] The band signed to Largerthanlife Records Canada and Tickle rush at their self-titled EP, which was released in 1983.[4] Tickle further produced their debut, full-length single Standing in the Dark, which expanded upon the tracks distance from their EP and was unconfined later that same year.[10]Standing beginning the Dark sold over 200,000 copies in Canada, which was certified double platinum at representation time.[11] The band's videos avoidable the singles "Standing in interpretation Dark" and "Doesn't Really Matter" were directed by Rob Quartly and were both nominated emancipation video of the year unbendable the 1984 Juno Awards.[12] Honourableness Canadian music cable network MuchMusic (later known as Much) very launched in 1984, further exposing their music to a enclosure audience.[7][13]

While the band's lyrics were not particularly romantic ("Not Confine Love", for example, was completely the opposite), the band's visage in combination with their music's catchy pop hooks attracted unadulterated fanbase that consisted heavily designate teenage girls.[4] The band set aside a free concert at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square in 1983 that attracted a crowd dear 25,000 screaming fans and resulted in 40 people being transmitted to hospital.[13] By 1984 they were one of the top-selling Canadian bands in Canada, on top only to Rush.[14] The tie toured across Canada on Attorney Adams' 1983 tour and sudden Billy Idol's Rebel Yell peregrination in 1984.[10] They also impressed New York City's The Hotel with Dead or Alive importance 1984.[10]

Scottish musician Kenny MacLean married the band in 1985, operation over the role of bassist from Holmes and also bringing off keyboards, and Platinum Blonde unbound their second album, Alien Shores.[15][16] Produced by British producer Roll Offord, the album was top-notch departure from their first a handful of releases and added elements elaborate funk.[17] Holmes said that integrity sound was greatly influenced outdo the Ohio Players.[17] The quintuplet songs on the second division of the album were likewise written around the concept training extraterrestrials visiting Earth thousands fanatic years ago, inspired by splendid theory posited by author Erich von Däniken in his original Chariots of the Gods?.[17]Rush player Alex Lifeson also contributed on the rocks guitar solo.[18] Singles from prestige album included "Situation Critical", "Crying Over You", "Somebody Somewhere", captain "Hungry Eyes".

"Crying Over You" marked the band's first #1 single and went gold.[19] Integrity video for "Crying Over You" won a Gemini Award hire best music video and Alien Shores sold over 500,000 copies.[11][20][21]

Steffler left the band in 1987 was replaced by drummer Vanquisher "Sascha" Tukatsch, who provided point towards for Platinum Blonde's 1988 notebook, Contact.[7][22]Contact was a continuation think likely Platinum Blonde's evolving sound, which further incorporated elements of funk.[22] Guests on the album take in Ohio Players vocalist Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner and percussionist Tony Archeologist, who played for Chic playing field the Power Station.[23][24] The soundtrack also includes a remake motionless the Ohio Players hit matchless "Fire".[24] That same year justness band appeared as alienbikers unswervingly the episode "Eye for ending Eye" of the sci-fi confirm series War of the Worlds, as well as in picture episode "Mug Shot" on leadership Mr.

T series T. stomach T.[25][26]

While Contact was positively acknowledged by critics, and the label track was a modest dig in Canada, the album oversubscribed 150,000 and did not agree with the breakthrough into the Prudent market that the band abstruse hoped for.[22][23][27] The band disconnected ways in 1989 and blue blood the gentry following year Yeah Yeah Yeah was released under the closure name The Blondes.[8][28] MacLean, who also released a solo scrap book that same year, told position Calgary Herald that he was "not proud of" Yeah Yea Yeah and that it was produced out of "contractual obligation."[15] In 1999 Holmes told Maclean's that drugs and poor employment decisions played a role jagged the band's demise and sonorous the Edmonton Journal that unquestionable had been involved in unadulterated four-year battle with Sony elect regain the rights to consummate songs and get out decay his contracts.[11][28]

After the break-up, Galli created his own architectural devise firm, called Belair Design.[8] Steffler, who left the band combine years prior, became a Toronto Entertainment District resto-bar owner sound out a venue called Twiggy devour 1993 to 2000 named pinpoint the British modeling sensation Twiggy.[7][11] MacLean continued to both recreation badinage and record music professionally obscure released a second solo textbook in 1996.[29] Having worked though a hairdresser prior to connection Platinum Blonde, MacLean returned conceal the profession from time line of attack time to supplement his income.[15][28] Holmes and Tukatsch formed adroit band called Vertigo in 1996, along with musician Dave Barrett, that later became known variety No.

9.[28] Described by Slogan. J. O'Connor of the Toronto Star as "pre-inflatable-pig Pink Floyd, powered by Marshall/clothed by Galliano," the band's sound was poetic by the music of rank late 1960–early 1970 London scarp scene.[30] The band was cry finding any labels to extract them on, so Holmes began to organize once-monthly club fairytale, called "Orange Alert" (based reduce the alert that sounded whenever penal colonists of the Decade, British TV series, The Prisoner managed to make an escape.)[30] Inspired by happenings of position 1960s, these club events parlayed into the establishment the Immature Club Theatre in 2002, which was co-founded by Holmes crucial where he would sometimes turn records under the moniker DJ MRK.[31][32]

On November 21, 2008, MacLean held a CD release thin at the Mod Club funding his third solo album Completely.[33] MacLean and Holmes also specious some Platinum Blonde songs fulfill the attendees.[34] MacLean had antediluvian suggesting to Holmes for repellent time that the band settle your differences back together, but he deadly of a heart attack core hours of his performance look after the Mod Club.[34] MacLean's oppose was found in his rooms three days later.[29]

In 2010, Author, Galli, and Steffler reunited courier played their first Platinum Mortal reunion show at the Strange Club.[5] Three days later interpretation band was inducted into say publicly Radio and Television Broadcasters Make contacts Hall of Fame.[35] Holmes' articulate during his acceptance speech: "We decided, because of Kenny, think about it we would get back compressed.

It was great to chuck together the other night. Astonishment wish Kenny was there."[35] Ensure same year, the electronic doublet Crystal Castles released a legend of "Not in Love" featuring Robert Smith of The Apart from on vocals.[34] Steffler was impotent to continue to play meet the band after developing loftiness auditory affliction tinnitus.[34]

In June 2012, Platinum Blonde members Mark Geologist and Sergio Galli, along state drummer Dan Todd and bassist Rob Laidlaw released the notebook Now & Never.[5] As invite 2020, the band was transformed as a trio with Stain Holmes returning to playing ostinato, Sergio Galli returning on bass, and Justin "Juice" Kadis endorse drums.[citation needed]

On September 28, 2023, Platinum Blonde was inducted go-slow Canada's Walk of Fame mistrust the Canada's Rock of Renown induction ceremony at Massey Hall.[2]

Musical and visual style

Platinum Blonde's badly timed sound was a mix a choice of new wave and pop scarp, mixed with heavier, arena rock-style guitar.[4][16][30] Their highly financed videos and fashion conscious look, future with Holmes's British accent-inflected vocals, drew comparisons to Duran Duran.[1][14][17] Their early covers of songs by The Police, along get the gist their spiky blonde hairstyles station fashion choices, caused comparisons cop that band as well.[4][16][19]

In 1984, Liam Lacey of The Planet and Mail said that depiction group sounded a lot come into sight Loverboy trying to make neat new wave credibility move.[36] Interject 1987, Bruno Fracassa of Newsday said, "Lead singer, Mark Writer, sounds like Simon Le Track from Duran Duran.

Overall, Funny think they would be despondent just being a northern form of Bon Jovi."[37] In king 2016 book, Is This Live?: Inside the Wild Early Stage of MuchMusic: The Nation's Song Station, songwriter and MuchMusicVJChristopher Maintain described their sound as "deftly mixing strains of Elvis Costello, The Police and Tears lease Fears with big sing-along choruses."[1]

Throughout the 1980s, the entire call for had long blond hair, frequently spiky, teased or tousled.[7][31][38] Illustriousness band commonly wore suit jackets and some band members wore make up.[5][13][38] In their trustworthy videos they were portrayed co-worker an aloof demeanor.[14] The band's look and attitude was alleged by the press as "pretty", "glamorous", "cocky" and "androgynous."[14][18][22]

In 1985, Liam Lacey of The Sphere and Mail described the band's look as "sort of Duran Duran meets Rod Stewart" take up Alan Niester, also of The Globe and Mail, said dump same year, "the band managed to create its own style revolution, manufacturing a flashy, worldly Platinum Blonde 'look' that was copied by its fans bump into the country."[14][17] Mike Devlin be totally convinced by the Times Colonist wrote tutor in 1999: "The band's blonde, messy manes inspired a legion brake hairdo followers.

Their Dayglo suits started a fashion revolution. Their arty videos helped shape rendering early image of MuchMusic."[38]

Their pleasing was very popular with teenager girls, somewhat to the band's dismay. Holmes told the Ottawa Citizen in 1985, "We lap up often judged by the final three rows of screaming girls. They don't look beyond ensure to where the college rank and our older fans update sitting.

Being judged by sketch appearance and by people fainting often shatters what we instruct doing musically. It is cruel for us sometimes."[19] In swell 1990 interview with the City Herald, MacLean said "We were the New Kids on class Block of that period," instruct added "I still like character music, so I would not till hell freezes over be embarrassed about being pure teen idol."[15]

Band members

Current

  • Mark Holmes – vocals (1979–1990, 2010–present), guitar (1979–1982) bass (1982–1984, 2014–present)
  • Sergio Galli – guitar (1982–1990, 2010–present)
  • Justin Kadis – drums (2020–present)

Former

  • Joey Ciotti – vocals, bass (1979–1981)
  • Ray Bailie – drums (1979–1981)
  • Chris Steffler – drums (1982–1987, 2010–2012)
  • Kenny MacLean – bass, keyboards (1985–1990; died 2008)
  • Sascha Tukatsch – drums (1987–1990)
  • Rob Laidlaw – deep (2010–2013)
  • Daniel Todd – drums (2012–2019)
Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Extended plays

Singles

See also

References

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    Is That Live?: Inside the Wild Completely Years of MuchMusic: The Nation's Music Station. Random House go Canada. pp. 70–72. ISBN .

  2. ^ ab"Canada's Amble of Fame". Canadaswalkoffame.com. Retrieved Nov 30, 2023.
  3. ^"Today In History".

    North Bay Nugget. North Bay, Lake, Canada. Canadian Press. July 26, 2007. p. A6. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

  4. ^ abcdefghijNiester, Alan (August 11, 1984).

    "Fame overtakes Platinum Blonde". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Lake, Canada. p. E12. ProQuest 386430393. Retrieved Could 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

  5. ^ abcdRellinger, Paul (August 19, 2016).

    ""Devil music" still getting cast down due courtesy of reborn Pt Blonde". kawarthaNOW.com. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

  6. ^ ab"Platinum Blonde – Hey Hey You / No Regrets". Discogs. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
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    "Rocker marches to his scatty beat: Chris Steffler has ephemeral in the same west-end rooms for 30 years". Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved Haw 20, 2022.

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    Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. p. G1. ProQuest 437455815. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

  9. ^McIlroy, Randal (November 29, 1983). "Speedy rise to profit displays talent, luck". Winnipeg Straightforward Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. p. 22. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
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    Vol. 112, no. 46. p. 126. ProQuest 218526702. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

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    "The motto: Support fast, dye blonde: Platinum Fair-haired singer revives an '80s year icon, minus the lace shirts". National Post. Don Mills, Lake, Canada. p. SP1. ProQuest 330103288. Retrieved Haw 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

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    Billy frolick writers house

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    "Meteoric metalmen manage to rise improve with new album". The Sphere and Mail. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. p. S12. ProQuest 386430393. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

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    Armoury. The Kingston Whig-Standard. Kingston, Lake, Canada. p. 1. ProQuest 353431547. Retrieved Hawthorn 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

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    Ottawa, Lake, Canada. p. B11. ProQuest 238920715. Retrieved Hawthorn 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

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  23. ^ abGreg, Burliuk (October 28, 1987). "Platinum blonde loses hair crayon but gains respect". The Town Whig-Standard. Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

    ProQuest 353391279. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

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  26. ^"Bottom score is Flanders has left Nervous tension. Elsewhere". Toronto Star. Los Angeles, California, United States. Associated Contain.

    October 1, 1987. p. E2. ProQuest 435665050. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

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  29. ^ ab"Platinum Fair bassist Kenny MacLean dies".

    CBC Arts. November 25, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

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    Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Archived from the original miscellany May 31, 2022. Retrieved Honoured 27, 2024.

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    Waterloo Region Record. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Press. August 19, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

  35. ^ abStevenson, Jane (March 13, 2010). "Mixed emotions for Platinum In a minute at Hall of Fame induction". The Toronto Sun. Toronto, Lake, Canada. p. 63.

    ProQuest 2220074420. Retrieved May well 20, 2022 – via ProQuest.

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    "Foreign sounds in our ears". Newsday. Long Island, New Royalty, United States. p. 24. ProQuest 277877266. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – next to ProQuest.

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  39. ^"Canadian peaks". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the inspired on 2014-04-15.

    Retrieved 2013-09-11.

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External links