Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Franke and the Knockouts

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Genres
  
Pop rock

Associated acts
  
Bon Jovi

Years active
  
1980 - 1986

Genre
  
Pop rock


Labels
  
Millennium Records, MCA Records

Origin
  
New Jersey, United States (1980)

Albums
  
Makin' the Point (Original Recording Remastered)

Members
  
Franke Previte, Tico Torres, Bobby Messano, Leigh Foxx, Billy Elworthy

Franke and the knockouts sweetheart 1981 hq


Franke and the Knockouts was a short-lived band, formed in New Jersey, USA and fronted by singer/songwriter Franke Previte.

Contents

Franke and the Knockouts were signed by Millennium Records in 1981 and had three U.S. Top 40 singles and two Top 50 albums. The group's biggest hit, "Sweetheart", was written by Previte along with Knockouts guitarist Billy Elworthy, peaking at #10 in the U.S. in June 1981. They also wrote and released the original versions of Eric Carmen's 1987 hit single "Hungry Eyes" as well as the song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", (both of which were featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing), and it would also earn Previte an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

After Millennium folded, the band switched to MCA Records in 1984. They released an album, which wasn't as successful as their other two. The group disbanded in 1986.

Members

Former

  • Franke Previte - lead vocals (1980-1986)
  • Leigh Foxx - bass (1980-1986)
  • Billy Elworthy - lead and rhythm guitars (1980-1984)
  • Claude LeHenaff - drums (1980-1982)
  • Blake Levinsohn - keyboards (1980-1982)
  • Tommy Ayers - keyboards, backing vocals (1981-1986; session musician on self-titled debut, officially joined the band after the album was released)
  • Tico Torres - drums (1982-84)
  • Bobby Messano - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1984-1986)
    • Session Players
    Franke and the Knockouts Franke And The Knockoutscom

  • Charlie Dominici - backing vocals (1981-1982; session musician on self-titled debut)
  • Dominici would later go on to front the band Dream Theater
  • Al Wotton: drums on Below the Belt (1982) album
  • John DeNicola: bass on several demos (including a bonus track on Makin' the Point (1984) album)
  • DeNicola also co-wrote (with Previte) "Hungry Eyes" and "(I've Had) the Time of My Life", the original versions of which were recorded during his tenure with the band but went unreleased, until they both later appeared on The Sweetheart Collection

    • Albums

  • 1981 - Franke and the Knockouts (#31)
  • 1982 - Below the Belt (#48)
  • 1984 - Makin' the Point

    • Compilation

  • 1999 - The Sweetheart Collection

    • Songs

    You're My GirlFranke & The Knockouts · 1981
    SweetheartFranke & The Knockouts · 1981
    Never Had It BetterBelow the Belt (Original Recording Remastered) · 2011

    References

    Franke and the Knockouts Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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