Adrenalin (band) explained

Adrenalin
Landscape:yes
Origin:East Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genre:Rock
Years Active:1977-1988, 2002

Adrenalin was an American rock band from East Detroit, Michigan, United States, best known for their song "Road of the Gypsy," featured in the 1986 film Iron Eagle.

Adrenalin was made up of six friends from elementary school (St. Veronica) to high school (Grosse Pointe North). Brian and Mark Pastoria, Jimmy and Mike Romeo, Bruce Schafer and Mike "Flash" Haggerty started the band in the mid-1970s with the help of lead singer David Larson.[1]

By the end of Adrenalin's run as a band, the members had coped with the suicide of their original lead singer, David Larson.[2] They were dropped by PolyGram in 1987.[1]

The Pastoria and Romeo brothers formed a new band titled DC Drive. With the addition of Doug Kahan on bass and Joey Bowen on vocals, DC Drive essentially replaced Adrenalin.

Soon after the forming of DC Drive they received a recording deal from Capitol Records/EMI of Canada and began working with Vini Poncia. The result was a self-titled album described by themselves as "rock and soul".

The album and the single "You Need Love" were a success across Detroit and in Canada. In 1993, DC Drive and PR Music garnered many awards and much recognition, including seven nominations and four awards including Best Rock Group and Best Single ("You Need Love") at the Motor City Music Awards. DC Drive disbanded in 1993, when Joey quit to make solo music and Doug went to Nashville.

Adrenalin re-united for a show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on May 25, 2002 with singer Graham Strachan fronting the band.

In June 2015, Adrenalin was inducted into the Michigan Rock n Roll Legends Hall of Fame.[3]

Lineup

Over the years the band's lineup consisted of:

The band's current lineup is: Brian Pastoria, (drums); Bruce Schafer, (bass); James Romeo, (saxophone); Mark Pastoria, (keyboards); Michael Haggerty, (guitar); Michael Romeo, (guitar). They currently record at Harmonie Park in Detroit, MI.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsChart positions
USUS
Rock
Don't Be Lookin' Back
  • Released: 1983
  • Label: Musical Signature Records
  • Formats: LP, CS
--
American Heart
  • Released: 1984
  • Label: Rocshire Records
  • Formats: LP, CS
203[4] 29[5]
Road of the Gypsy
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: MCA Records
  • Formats: LP, CD, CS
--

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US Main. Rock
"Cumz 'N' Goes / Rock 'N' Roll Screamer"1977Single only
"Gimme Good Lovin' / Change Of Heart"1980
"I Don't Know When to Quit / Everything Is Gonna Be Alright"1983
"Faraway Eyes"198428[6] American Heart
"Road of the Gypsy"1986Road of the Gypsy
"Northern Shores"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal. Colin Larkin. Colin Larkin (writer). Guinness Publishing. 1995. Second. 0-85112-656-1. 11/2.
  2. Web site: Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - ADRENALIN. www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com. 2020-02-13.
  3. Web site: Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - 2015 Michigan Hall of Fame Voting Results. Michiganrockandrolllegends.com. November 11, 2019.
  4. Bubbling Under The Top LPs . Billboard . October 20, 2017.
  5. Rock Albums . Billboard . October 20, 2017.
  6. Web site: Adrenalin Faraway Eyes Chart History . Billboard . english . September 10, 2017.