Steel Breeze
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Steel Breeze is an American rock group that had a US hit with the song " You Don't Want Me Anymore" in 1982. This was followed by their single "Dreamin' is Easy" the following year.


Career

Taking their name from a phrase in
Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philo ...
's song, "
Shine On You Crazy Diamond "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is a nine-part Pink Floyd composition written by David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright. It appeared on Pink Floyd's 1975 concept album ''Wish You Were Here''. The song is written about and dedicated to Syd ...
", the six-member band from
Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...
, California comprised—in its "classic" lineup—Ric Jacobs (vocals), Ken Goorabian and Waylin Carpenter (guitars), Rod Toner (keyboards), Vinnie Pantaleoni (bass guitar), and Barry Lowenthal (drums), released their self-titled debut album in 1982 on
RCA Records RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also A ...
. "You Don't Want Me Anymore", the first single from the album, quickly jumped into the Top 20 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 supported by a video that was a favorite of early
MTV MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...
, and peaked at No. 16. The next single, "Dreamin' Is Easy", also made it into the
Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is the current, 40 most-popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "Top 40" or " con ...
but went no higher than No. 30. The group originally had a different lineup a few years earlier and enjoyed some local success with "You Don't Want Me Anymore" with the work of manager John Wiseman before catching the attention of producer
Kim Fowley Kim Vincent Fowley (July 21, 1939 – January 15, 2015) was the American record producer, songwriter and musician who was behind a string of novelty and cult pop rock singles in the 1960s, and managed The Runaways in the 1970s. He has been ...
and attorney David Chatfield, who recorded the band's first album at Rusk Studios in Hollywood and secured Steel Breeze their recording contract with RCA Records. On the March 12, 1983 edition of ''
American Top 40 ''American Top 40'' (previously abbreviated to ''AT40'') is an internationally syndicated, independent song countdown radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds, and Ron Jacobs. The program is currently hosted by Ryan Seacr ...
'',
Casey Kasem Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem (April 27, 1932 – June 15, 2014) was an American disc jockey, actor, and radio personality, who created and hosted several radio countdown programs, notably '' American Top 40''. He was the first actor to voice Nor ...
described how Fowley discovered Steel Breeze while going through approximately 1200 demo
tapes Tape or Tapes may refer to: Material A long, narrow, thin strip of material (see also Ribbon (disambiguation): Adhesive tapes * Adhesive tape, any of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive * Athletic tape, pressure-sensiti ...
that were about to be discarded by a local Hollywood night club, Madam Wongs. Chatfield and Fowley flew up to Sacramento and signed the band after Chrysalis Record executive Tom Trumbo told Chatfield he was looking for a band like Journey. Chatfield left Trumbo's office and went to Fowley's home where Fowley pulled out the Steel Breeze demo of "You Don't Want Me Anymore," which they both knew was a hit. The band's lineup has shifted considerably since the release of the debut album, with keyboardist Rod Toner remaining in the band the longest of anyone from the classic lineup days. In 1984, Steel Breeze (now with ex-707 vocalist
Kevin Chalfant Kevin Chalfant is an American singer and a native of Streator, Illinois. He obtained a BMI award for co-writing and singing on one of the most frequently aired rock radio hits of 1992 and 1993, "I've Got a Lot to Learn About Love", by The St ...
and keyboardist Loren Haas as members) released their second album, ''Heart on the Line'' on an independent record label, but the record went unnoticed despite guest appearances by
Bruce Springsteen Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Originally from the Jersey Shore, he is an originat ...
's saxophonist,
Clarence Clemons Clarence Anicholas Clemons Jr. (January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011), also known as The Big Man, was an American musician and actor. From 1972 until his death in 2011, he was the saxophonist for The E Street Band. Clemons released several s ...
and
Santana Santana may refer to: Transportation * Volkswagen Santana, an automobile * Santana Cycles, manufacturer of tandem bicycles * Santana Motors, a former Spanish automobile manufacturer Boats * Santana 20, an American sailboat design by W. D. Sch ...
's vocalist,
Alex Ligertwood Alex is a given name. It can refer to a shortened version of Alexander, Alexandra, Alexis. People Multiple *Alex Brown (disambiguation), multiple people *Alex Gordon (disambiguation), multiple people *Alex Harris (disambiguation), multiple peop ...
. Five years later, a third Steel Breeze album, ''Cry Thunder'' came out with Bobby Thompson on vocals, Rick Lowe and Robbie Bickford on guitar, Toner on keyboards and Paul Ojeda on drums. In 1991, ''Still Warrior'' was released with yet another lineup, just as Chalfant had a small hit with a similar act, The Storm. In 1994, ''Peace Of Mind'' was issued. Richard "Ric" L. Jacobs (born December 30, 1956,
Moline, Illinois Moline ( ) is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. With a population of 42,985 in 2020, it is the largest city in Rock Island County. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline, Illinois, East M ...
) died on January 17, 2018,
Oakwood Hills, Illinois Oakwood Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Oakwood Hills was founded in 1959. The population was 2,083 at the 2010 census. As of 2018, the population dropped to 2,041. Geography Oakwood Hills is located at (42.2476 ...
, at age 61.


Discography

*1982 – '' Steel Breeze'' *1983 – ''Heart on the Line'' *1989 – ''Cry Thunder'' *1991 – ''Still Warriors'' *1994 – ''Peace of Mind''


Charting Singles


References


External links


Spirit of Metal
{{Authority control Rock music groups from California Musical groups from Sacramento, California