Formed:
1980 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1980 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Band Members:
- Mike Reno (born Joseph Michael Rynoski on January 8, 1955 in New Westminster, British Columbia): Lead vocals, songwriter
- Paul Dean (born February 19, 1946 in Vancouver, Canada): Guitars, songwriter
- Scott Smith: Bass guitar
- Doug Johnson (born December 19, 1957): Keyboards
- Matt Frenette (born March 7, 1954): Drums
Early Years:
The origins of Loverboy stretch back to the late '70s in Calgary, Alberta, where Mike Reno met Paul Dean while both were members of separate but forgettable bands. The pair began to write songs together and in a matter of months Loverboy was born. Although rejected by a multitude of major record labels in the States, the quintet pressed on and secured a contract with Columbia Records Canada, releasing its eponymous debut over the summer. Monumental success north of the border led Columbia in the U.S. to sign the band quickly and release the album in the fall. The record went on to double-platinum status.
The origins of Loverboy stretch back to the late '70s in Calgary, Alberta, where Mike Reno met Paul Dean while both were members of separate but forgettable bands. The pair began to write songs together and in a matter of months Loverboy was born. Although rejected by a multitude of major record labels in the States, the quintet pressed on and secured a contract with Columbia Records Canada, releasing its eponymous debut over the summer. Monumental success north of the border led Columbia in the U.S. to sign the band quickly and release the album in the fall. The record went on to double-platinum status.
A Decade of Arena Rock Superstardom for Loverboy:
On the strength of its debut, the band found no shortage of immediate touring opportunities with kindred spirits like Cheap Trick, ZZ Top and Def Leppard. Unfazed by the new wave craze of the early '80s, Loverboy found a large and hungry audience for its over-the-top, accessible mainstream rock, releasing several more strong-selling albums of rockers and ballads. Ultimately, the band piled up two Top 10 albums in the U.S. and a number of Top 40 hits, including one Top 10 pop hit in “Lovin’ Every Minute of It” in 1985. The band’s popularity faded in the '90s, but Loverboy has continued touring ever since.
On the strength of its debut, the band found no shortage of immediate touring opportunities with kindred spirits like Cheap Trick, ZZ Top and Def Leppard. Unfazed by the new wave craze of the early '80s, Loverboy found a large and hungry audience for its over-the-top, accessible mainstream rock, releasing several more strong-selling albums of rockers and ballads. Ultimately, the band piled up two Top 10 albums in the U.S. and a number of Top 40 hits, including one Top 10 pop hit in “Lovin’ Every Minute of It” in 1985. The band’s popularity faded in the '90s, but Loverboy has continued touring ever since.
Loverboy '80s Album Releases & Key Tracks:
- Loverboy (1980) – “The Kid Is Hot Tonite”, “Turn Me Loose”, “It Don’t Matter”
- Get Lucky (1981) – “Working for the Weekend”, “When It’s Over”, “Lucky Ones”
- Keep It Up (1983) – “Hot Girls in Love”
- Lovin’ Every Minute of It (1985) - “Lovin’ Every Minute of It,” “This Could Be the Night”
- Wildside (1987) – “Notorious”
