Platinum Blonde (band)
| Platinum Blonde | |
|---|---|
 Platinum Blonde perform, Vancouver B.C. 2012 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Toronto, Canada |
| Genres | Rock, power pop, new wave |
| Years active | 1982–1990, 2010-present |
| Labels | CBS Records |
| Associated acts | Crystal Castles |
| Website | http://www.platinumblondeworld.com |
| Members | Mark Holmes Sergio Galli |
| Past members | Kenny MacLean Chris Steffler |
Platinum Blonde A major label rock music three piece group signed in Toronto Canada by CBS Records in 1983'. The band originally consisted of Mark Holmes from Mansfield, England on vocals and bass, Sergio Galli on guitar and Chris Steffler on drums. Three years into the project Scottish musician Kenny MacLean later joined the group as bassist freeing Holmes from bass duties.
Platinum Blonde was inducted into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame on March 12, 2010.[1]
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History [edit]
Platinum Blonde originated in 1981 as a tribute band performing the music of The Police in Canada's university and club circuit. In 1982, they signed to CBS Records Canada and released a self-titled six-song EP, which made it to No. 39 on the Canadian album charts. It was quickly expanded into a full length album titled Standing in the Dark, which featured identical artwork to the EP. The LP version then received a wide release distribution deal through CBS America.
The band's popularity on the airwaves in Canada led to a triple platinum (300,000) album, featuring four hits including two Juno Award nominations: "Standing in the Dark" and "Doesn't Really Matter". Their music videos were placed into high rotation on Canada's Much Music television and play listed as well on MTV America & MTV EUR.
In 1985, the band released a second album called Alien Shores, featuring the addition of a fourth member, Kenny MacLean. "Alien Shores" went quintuple platinum (500,000), the group's high-water mark of success. Hits from the second album included "Situation Critical", "Crying Over You", "Somebody Somewhere", and "Hungry Eyes".
In 1988 the band's next album, Contact, was a hit in Canada, going double platinum, but was significantly less successful than their previous record. The title track "Contact" was a modest hit, but the album was an overall commercial disappointment, and they were dropped by CBS. Platinum Blonde changed their name to The Blondes and recorded and released one further album to minimal attention before disbanding.
The entire group appeared as alien bikers in the 1988 episode Eye for an Eye of the television series War of the Worlds.
In 2002, Mark Holmes and partners opened the acclaimed Mod Club Theatre on College Street in Toronto CAN. The Mod Club Theatre has showcased the likes of Muse, Amy Winehouse, MGMT, The Killers, The Ruby Spirit, Keane, Feist and more.
Rumors of a reunion of the original band, and possibly some new material, continued to swirl, as the band played a few charity concerts in the mid-2000s. A DVD video compilation entitled Platinum Blonde: The Complete DVD Collection, containing all of their music videos was in production but ultimately shelved by CBS as they were bought out by Sony Music that same year.
In November 2008, Holmes took up McLean’s long-standing offer to make a guest appearance at one of his shows at the Mod Club, this time to mark the release of his third solo CD entitled Completely. McLean had commented to Holmes “hundreds of times” that Platinum Blonde should re-unite. Holmes quotes McLean as saying, “Let’s get back together. Music doesn’t have any rock stars anymore.” Holmes always replied that he was too busy with his DJ career, but this time he agreed and they performed a collection of Platinum Blonde hits. MacLean died of a heart attack three hours after the show ended in his recording studio on Yonge Street in Toronto. His body was found there on November 24, 2008.
Present and future plans [edit]
On March 10, 2010, Platinum Blonde played their first reunion show at The Mod Club Theatre in Toronto, Ontario. The original line up of Mark Holmes, Sergio Galli & Chris Steffler were inducted into the Radio and Television Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. The next day, the band announced on MuchMusic that a reunion is in the works with a new recording and show dates.
On December 6, 2010, an EP containing a cover of the song "Not in Love" was released by the Canadian electronic band Crystal Castles featuring the vocals of UK singer Robert Smith (The Cure) on the Fiction Records label.
In January 2012, misfortune befalls drummer Chris Steffler. After rehearsals and two shows Chris is forced to bow out gracefully from the band with severe symptoms of the auditory medical affliction tinnitus.
In June 2012, Platinum Blonde, original members Mark Holmes and Sergio Galli released a new single "Beautiful" on iTunes and announced a full new album Now & Never would be released in August. The band is currently touring in 2012 to promote their latest material. Their music video for "Beautiful", directed by Jesse Mann, is set for release February 2013.
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
- Platinum Blonde EP (1983) No. 39 CAN
- Standing in the Dark (1983) No. 23 CAN
- Alien Shores (1985) No. 3 CAN
- Contact (1987) No. 20 CAN
- Yeah Yeah Yeah - released under The Blondes (1990)
- Best of Live (1993)
- Seven Year Itch: 1982-1989 (1999) No. 23 CAN
- Now & Never (2012)
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "Platinum Blonde to enter Music Industry Hall of Fame — CTV News". Ctv.ca. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ "CANOE — JAM! Music — Artists — Platinum Blonde: MacLean died of 'natural causes'". Jam.canoe.ca. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
