[Oo-ee-diddley-bop!] -- Peter Wolf's career as a solo artist was kicked off 40 years ago last month, in July 1984. That's when Wolf released his debut solo album, Lights Out. Now, why would Wolf end a long and successful career as the lead vocalist of The J. Geils Band (1967 to 1983)? Well, it was apparently all due to the co-leader of The J. Geils Band, keyboardist Seth Justman, rejecting a bunch of then-new songs that Wolf had co-written outside the band.
Yup, he took (some of) those songs and released them on his own.
The title track of Lights Out turned out to be a big hit for Wolf, peaking at #12, #6, and #11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, Mainstream Rock Tracks, and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts respectively. His second single, "I Need You Tonight," was also a top 40 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. And the album itself reached the #24 position on the Billboard 200 chart.
Besides the singles, this album is fairly evenly balanced between some dated 80s dance-pop and other tracks that are wacky and, in the words of music critic Tim Sendra, "so corny that they are almost good." He also calls this album "soul music for a soulless time," and I think that is a far better descriptor.
Other stand out tracks: "Mars Needs Women," "Here Comes That Hurt Again," and "Baby, Please Don't Let Me Go."
Flashback: Lights Out (July 1, 1984)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
No comments:
Post a Comment