Melodic-rock-lovers will be ‘reminiscing' Friday night
The current incarnation of the Little River Band includes Wayne Nelson, bass; Greg Hind, guitar, vocals; Chris Marion, keyboards, vocals; Mel Watts, drums, vocals; and Rich Herring, guitar, vocals.
November 4, 2009
by Ogi Overman
When asked to name an Australian rock band, most Americans could instantly come up with enduring legends AC/DC. Many would also recall Men at Work and INXS, with the more involved musicologists also listing Crowded House, Midnight Oil and Moving Pictures.
But around the same time AC/DC was beginning to take its Downunder fame to the world stage, another group with similar aspirations but a far different sound was also making waves abroad: Little River Band. And during the late-'70s and early-'80s, that was the group that was scoring hit after Top 40 hit with its precise vocal harmonies, crisp arrangements and catchy hooks. In fact, it could be argued that it was Little River Band that gave rise to the genre that was to become known as melodic rock.
The quintet, formed in Melbourne in 1975, went on to enjoy consistent commercial success in the U.S. that has resulted in 25 million records sold, 13 Top 40 hits, eight Top 10s, and two gold, two platinum and one double platinum album.
LRB's road from Aussie stars to global phenomena was paved with a successful island single “Curiosity Killed the Cat” that never made a dent outside that market but hinted at bigger things to come. In 1976 they released “It's a Long Way There,” which cracked the U.S. Top 40. The following year they scored an Australian No. 1 with “Help Is On Its Way” and followed that with “Happy Anniversary,” which peaked at No. 16 stateside.
Even with three Top 40s, the band had yet to have its big breakout hit, but it didn't have long to wait. In 1978 it had its biggest hit with “Reminiscing,” which rose to No. 3 and set in motion an uninterrupted chain of smashes. 1979 produced three of its most enduring classics - “Lonesome Loser,” “Lady” and “Cool Change” which rose to Nos. 6, 10 and 10, respectively.
The turn of the decade brought another slew of hits. “Night Owls” (No. 6) and “Take It Easy On Me” (No. 10) came out in 1981, followed in ‘82 by “The Other Guy (No. 11) and “Man on Your Mind” (No. 14).
Although the string of hits dried up, amid numerous personnel changes, the band has continued to tour and record. From 1975 to 2007 it released 15 studio albums, three live albums and five compilations, including 2005's The Definitive Collection.
Its list of accolades includes a BMI award recognizing “Reminiscing” as one of the most frequently played songs on American radio, with over 4 million plays. “Cool Change” was named one of the top 30 Australian songs of all time. The original lineup was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2004. LRB was also the first group to have a Top 10 U.S. single for six consecutive years.
Little River Band will hit the stage of the 965-seat High Point Theatre this Friday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35, and $30 for balcony seats. They are available online at www.highpointtheatre.com or by calling 887-3001. The theatre is located at 220 East Commerce Ave.
Remarked the venue's executive director, Louisa Hart, “We are very proud to launch our 2009-10 season with the group that all but owned the pop charts during an era when virtuostic performers blended rock, jazz, blues and country influences into an engaging sound that redefined categories and reshaped the musical landscape.”
