🌈Livin' on a Flair: The "male Diane Warren" has given hard rock a desperately-needed melodic sheen, which has resulted in re-shaped careers, while mercifully re-tooling a dull, ponderous genre.🎶
I'd heard his name but did not know his story. What an incredible list of hits he's written.
Very interesting to hear his demo as well. It's always interesting to see how a songwriter can have one conception of a song and the artist or band can hear a different possibility in it.
Steven Tyler apparently said Dude (Looks like a Lady) was about Vince Neil of Motley Crue looking like a lady from the back. Fun times in 80s rock!
Your first sentence is why I was motivated to write this! This is not only a story of the growth of a career, but of a young man growing and growing up, and using his talent and art to get him through it!
That's funny that Tyler picked out one '80s hard rock lead singer that "looks like a lady" from the back! Heck, they ALL did, including Steven!🤣
Thanks so much, Beth! It's stories like this that built the rationale for FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE! Everybody and their grandmother knows the songs, and likely assumes the one who sung it is also the one who brung it! Not always the case, and coupled with Desmond's riveting personal story (and the fact that I'm one of the few on the planet who had Rouge's 2 albums!), this was a fun one to tackle...one I've been meaning to write for a while!
Here's one I think you might like, too, Beth.....The "Audio Autopsy" I did 2 Februarys ago on Paul Davis. Some of his songs you may know, but what a talent I think too few know. I found the last song featured in the article totally by accident during research for it, and I still can't listen to it without weeping.....knowing his story, and then, hearing that song (and the poignant lyrics)....A vastly overlooked talent, and I hope you enjoy:
Thanks for sharing. I will check this out! Have bookmarked the post. As a heads up, seeing your post in "Notes" allowed me to discover it today. Maybe it's the influx of newsletters (I subscribe to a lot) that causes me to overlook posts sometimes unknowingly. I "star" the ones I want to go back to read, but seeing it available in the moment on Notes when I'm in a more available pocket of time, really helps. Appreciate you doing that.
Thanks for the tip, Beth! I've been struggling with just how much to trumpet my posts on Notes, and I'm sure I lean toward the more cautious side of frequency. I already tune out the folks who, for some reason, see fit to post, like, 84 things on Notes a day! Mostly meaningless blather, I notice, and fulfilling no noticeable purpose! But, I may toy with an occasional post-publish "reminder" Note with your dilemma in mind, one shared by many, I'm sure (including me)!
Thanks, Steve.....that's where I figured most folks were in their Child's Garden of Hard Rock Bangahs! "Wow, what a great song Bon Jon Bovi or Grams Tyler wrote!" Nay nay, young weedhopper! Let me tell you the story of one Dez Child!
This one's right in the zone of why FR&B exists in the first place. Were I not in the biz to the point of getting their 2 '79 promo albums, I'd be in everyone's fun, but crowded boat: Watching hard rock song after hard rock song climb the '80s charts and "just assuming" the band or lead singer were the composers!
There HAS to be a way and a place to use that rare embarrassment-of-vinyl-riches to somehow "leave my mark"....as Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry might say....."It's raht-cheer!--FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE!" Help yourself to the craft services table, Steve!😃👍🎶
Wow, what a great account of the life and work of a man whose hits have been consistently ubiquitous but who has always (at least, to my knowledge) stayed mostly behind the scenes. I love the Aerosmith songs he wrote (particularly Crazy, which is probably my favourite Aerosmith track) and Just Like Jesse James is my favourite Cher song. I would have never thought they were written by the same person! Informative, fun, interesting, and educational... that's why we come here. Thank you, Brad!
Thanks, Andy! To a degree, Desmond has stayed behind the scenes, but he's far from a recluse! The thing with him, though, that intrigued me, was the fans of the songs he's written for their favorite artists.....they're the ones who don't know who he is! And, those are the folks for whom I wrote this.
And, like what fuels many, if not most, of the FR&B articles, they're informed, first, by the records I had at the time of release....and, that's certainly true with these two '79 DC & Rouge albums! Again, back in the day, after 6 or so months of the "Runners in the Night" being out, and no meaningful airplay emerged, they became "just another" major label artist who looked like will have no more of a career! Oh, well! The decades are littered with such artists...talented, but just couldn't/didn't get airplay, and therefore, couldn't/didn't generate sales!
Only as the '80s unfolded, and hit followed hit did I start to go, "Wait a minute.....isn't that the same guy who was in that Rouge outfit on Capitol?!" Then, I'd rush to my "D" section on my record shelf!😁👍You're the best, Andy!
YOU'RE the best! It's a privilege to read your work and, importantly, that you're sharing all that knowledge and those clever connections you've worked out over the years. The stories of the individuals behind the songs we love tell us so much about music and are packed with life lessons left right and centre.
I love to discover artists/bands I might have heard off but never took the time to discover their music. And especially if there is a connection with "my world" :-) In this case Maria Vidal and her 1984 dance hit "Body Rock". Thanks Brad !
Thank you, PeDupre! I've wanted to tell Desmond's musical story for a while, and managed to unearth some more "deats" about his personal journey as well....fascinating how he was able to creatively "sew" the two together!
As for Maria, I was a 29-year-old college student then, so the mid-'80s is forever my pop culture "black hole"! But, someone here, told me about her hit just this past week as I was researching!
I will add, PeDupre (and I thought about you while writing the article!), that Child and Rouge not only had some purple/gray marbled vinyl (like the "Our Love is Insane" 7" single), they also had a couple of 12" disco singles (with "DISCO" in block caps over the spindle!). I had 'em all at the time, but can't recall if the colored vinyl was retail, limited edition retail, or promo only!
Well, when I got those first two albums in '79, they were just another non-descript outfit that didn't, after time, get any airplay. So, I kept them in my collection, and started to see his name pop up on radio hits in the '80s....it's amazing to see how music biz/record biz careers were shaped and formed, especially in the rear-view mirror! And, adding the orientation element just makes it that much more fascinating.
I discovered, in research, about the second album's "The Truth Comes Out,' and how it was tapped as his "coming out song." In looking back, then, at the debut, I'm going....."Wait! What about 'Main Man'?! My God, he's practically screaming it!!" But, I'm glad I found it, because it makes a great 1st-album/2nd-album punch in declaring his independence! I'd love to hear how Desmond would respond to that assertion! See my reply to Jon for my brief meeting with Desmond......if I knew then what I know now😁..........😉
What a piece, as always. Your deep dive into Desmond Child's early career is insightful and engaging. I loved how you captured his evolution from a budding pop star to a legendary songwriter, seamlessly blending his personal and artistic journeys.
Thanks, Jon! I appreciate your kind words! I met him ever so briefly backstage in 1979, after his show (with Rouge) at Houston's Texas Opry House. He and I didn't say too much, but he was certainly nice in our few moments. I couldn't quite get him to join me in a pinball game like I did with David Byrne (Talking Heads) the previous year at the same venue!
I'd heard his name but did not know his story. What an incredible list of hits he's written.
Very interesting to hear his demo as well. It's always interesting to see how a songwriter can have one conception of a song and the artist or band can hear a different possibility in it.
Steven Tyler apparently said Dude (Looks like a Lady) was about Vince Neil of Motley Crue looking like a lady from the back. Fun times in 80s rock!
Your first sentence is why I was motivated to write this! This is not only a story of the growth of a career, but of a young man growing and growing up, and using his talent and art to get him through it!
That's funny that Tyler picked out one '80s hard rock lead singer that "looks like a lady" from the back! Heck, they ALL did, including Steven!🤣
Dude looks like a Nana!
Good stuff Brad. I was totally engrossed. Thx for sharing. I like the happy ending too
Thanks so much, Beth! It's stories like this that built the rationale for FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE! Everybody and their grandmother knows the songs, and likely assumes the one who sung it is also the one who brung it! Not always the case, and coupled with Desmond's riveting personal story (and the fact that I'm one of the few on the planet who had Rouge's 2 albums!), this was a fun one to tackle...one I've been meaning to write for a while!
Here's one I think you might like, too, Beth.....The "Audio Autopsy" I did 2 Februarys ago on Paul Davis. Some of his songs you may know, but what a talent I think too few know. I found the last song featured in the article totally by accident during research for it, and I still can't listen to it without weeping.....knowing his story, and then, hearing that song (and the poignant lyrics)....A vastly overlooked talent, and I hope you enjoy:
https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-autopsy-1970-1986-a-little?utm_source=publication-search
Thanks for sharing. I will check this out! Have bookmarked the post. As a heads up, seeing your post in "Notes" allowed me to discover it today. Maybe it's the influx of newsletters (I subscribe to a lot) that causes me to overlook posts sometimes unknowingly. I "star" the ones I want to go back to read, but seeing it available in the moment on Notes when I'm in a more available pocket of time, really helps. Appreciate you doing that.
Thanks for the tip, Beth! I've been struggling with just how much to trumpet my posts on Notes, and I'm sure I lean toward the more cautious side of frequency. I already tune out the folks who, for some reason, see fit to post, like, 84 things on Notes a day! Mostly meaningless blather, I notice, and fulfilling no noticeable purpose! But, I may toy with an occasional post-publish "reminder" Note with your dilemma in mind, one shared by many, I'm sure (including me)!
So much engaging learning in this piece, Brad! I knew a little bit about Desmond Child, mostly his hair metal connection but now I know so much more!
Thanks, Steve.....that's where I figured most folks were in their Child's Garden of Hard Rock Bangahs! "Wow, what a great song Bon Jon Bovi or Grams Tyler wrote!" Nay nay, young weedhopper! Let me tell you the story of one Dez Child!
This one's right in the zone of why FR&B exists in the first place. Were I not in the biz to the point of getting their 2 '79 promo albums, I'd be in everyone's fun, but crowded boat: Watching hard rock song after hard rock song climb the '80s charts and "just assuming" the band or lead singer were the composers!
There HAS to be a way and a place to use that rare embarrassment-of-vinyl-riches to somehow "leave my mark"....as Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry might say....."It's raht-cheer!--FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE!" Help yourself to the craft services table, Steve!😃👍🎶
Wow, what a great account of the life and work of a man whose hits have been consistently ubiquitous but who has always (at least, to my knowledge) stayed mostly behind the scenes. I love the Aerosmith songs he wrote (particularly Crazy, which is probably my favourite Aerosmith track) and Just Like Jesse James is my favourite Cher song. I would have never thought they were written by the same person! Informative, fun, interesting, and educational... that's why we come here. Thank you, Brad!
Thanks, Andy! To a degree, Desmond has stayed behind the scenes, but he's far from a recluse! The thing with him, though, that intrigued me, was the fans of the songs he's written for their favorite artists.....they're the ones who don't know who he is! And, those are the folks for whom I wrote this.
And, like what fuels many, if not most, of the FR&B articles, they're informed, first, by the records I had at the time of release....and, that's certainly true with these two '79 DC & Rouge albums! Again, back in the day, after 6 or so months of the "Runners in the Night" being out, and no meaningful airplay emerged, they became "just another" major label artist who looked like will have no more of a career! Oh, well! The decades are littered with such artists...talented, but just couldn't/didn't get airplay, and therefore, couldn't/didn't generate sales!
Only as the '80s unfolded, and hit followed hit did I start to go, "Wait a minute.....isn't that the same guy who was in that Rouge outfit on Capitol?!" Then, I'd rush to my "D" section on my record shelf!😁👍You're the best, Andy!
YOU'RE the best! It's a privilege to read your work and, importantly, that you're sharing all that knowledge and those clever connections you've worked out over the years. The stories of the individuals behind the songs we love tell us so much about music and are packed with life lessons left right and centre.
I love to discover artists/bands I might have heard off but never took the time to discover their music. And especially if there is a connection with "my world" :-) In this case Maria Vidal and her 1984 dance hit "Body Rock". Thanks Brad !
Thank you, PeDupre! I've wanted to tell Desmond's musical story for a while, and managed to unearth some more "deats" about his personal journey as well....fascinating how he was able to creatively "sew" the two together!
As for Maria, I was a 29-year-old college student then, so the mid-'80s is forever my pop culture "black hole"! But, someone here, told me about her hit just this past week as I was researching!
I will add, PeDupre (and I thought about you while writing the article!), that Child and Rouge not only had some purple/gray marbled vinyl (like the "Our Love is Insane" 7" single), they also had a couple of 12" disco singles (with "DISCO" in block caps over the spindle!). I had 'em all at the time, but can't recall if the colored vinyl was retail, limited edition retail, or promo only!
Thanks again........glad you dig!
Interesting! I've heard his name for decades but never really knew anything about him. He definitely penned a lot of hits!
Well, when I got those first two albums in '79, they were just another non-descript outfit that didn't, after time, get any airplay. So, I kept them in my collection, and started to see his name pop up on radio hits in the '80s....it's amazing to see how music biz/record biz careers were shaped and formed, especially in the rear-view mirror! And, adding the orientation element just makes it that much more fascinating.
I discovered, in research, about the second album's "The Truth Comes Out,' and how it was tapped as his "coming out song." In looking back, then, at the debut, I'm going....."Wait! What about 'Main Man'?! My God, he's practically screaming it!!" But, I'm glad I found it, because it makes a great 1st-album/2nd-album punch in declaring his independence! I'd love to hear how Desmond would respond to that assertion! See my reply to Jon for my brief meeting with Desmond......if I knew then what I know now😁..........😉
What a piece, as always. Your deep dive into Desmond Child's early career is insightful and engaging. I loved how you captured his evolution from a budding pop star to a legendary songwriter, seamlessly blending his personal and artistic journeys.
Thanks, Jon! I appreciate your kind words! I met him ever so briefly backstage in 1979, after his show (with Rouge) at Houston's Texas Opry House. He and I didn't say too much, but he was certainly nice in our few moments. I couldn't quite get him to join me in a pinball game like I did with David Byrne (Talking Heads) the previous year at the same venue!