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Man 2 Man

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Man 2 Man (also known as Man to Man) were an American Hi-NRG band from New York City, that formed in the early 1980s. They were best known for their hit singles "Male Stripper", "Energy Is Eurobeat" and "I Need a Man".

History: The Fast

The Fast is an American glam/punk band formed in New York City in the mid 1970s by brothers Paul Zone, Miki Zone, and Mandy Zone.

In 1975, The Fast was an integral/influential part of the Max's Kansas City/CBGB scene alongside Blondie and the Ramones, with their blend of power pop and garage punk. As the New York punk rock scene was in its infancy, The Fast were a headline act at Max's Kansas City & CBGB in New York City.

The Fast's first single, "Boys Will Be Boys" (CBS Records UK) was released in 1976. It was produced by Bobby Orlando (Pet Shop Boys/Flirts/Bobby O/Divine). The Fast's sound and style was developed with 1960s mod pop elements and the use of synthesizers years before the instrument became a staple of 1980s New Wave.

Their second single "It's Like Love" (Ram Records) was released in 1977 and produced by Richard Gottehrer (Blondie/Go Go's/Strangeloves/Raveonettes). "It's Like Love" was a blending of electronic synth sounds and bubblegum pop. The B-side was "Kids Just Wanna Dance".

In 1978/1979, The Fast toured the United States. Ric Ocasek brought them on a stadium tour with The Cars. Ocasek produced half of their first LP The Fast For Sale (Recca Records), which was released in 1980. Mandy Zone left the band in 1978 to form Ozone.

In 1981, their second LP, Leather Boys From The Asphalt Jungle, (Recca Records) was released. This would be the last time Paul and Miki Zone recorded with a live band. In 1982, The Fast went electronic, Paul and Miki tour the U.S. East Coast with two back-up keyboard players. In 1983, they began performing as a duo at New York City's Harrah, S.N.A.F.U., The Pyramid Club, and The Mudd Club, using keyboards, electronics and backing tapes.

History: The Fast: Discography

  • "Boys Will Be Boys" (Single, CBS Records UK) 1976
  • "It's Like Love" / "Kids Just Wanna Dance" (Single, Ram Records) 1977

"B Movies" / "Cars Crash" (Single, Sounds Interesting Records) 1979

  • "The Fast For Sale" (LP, Recca Records) 1980
  • "Leather Boys From The Asphalt Jungle" (LP, Recca Records) 1981

"Moontan" / "Love Is Like An Itchin In My Heart" (single, Recca Record) 1982

After The Fast, the brothers spent the first half of the 1980s singing on a number of Hi-NRG and disco records for record producers such as Bobby Orlando (records like Divine's "Native Love" and The Flirts' "Passion"). Soon after, they formed a new band, which was originally called Man's Favourite Sports. However, another band had already claimed the right to use this name, so the Zone brothers became known as Man 2 Man.

Man 2 Man performed live in some of NYC's larger dance spaces: The Funhouse, The Limelight, & The Saint. They also appeared live at Heaven in London, UK. The duo recorded self-produced 12 inch dance singles through 1985. They continued to perform as a live act, touring alongside Sylvester & Divine in mid-to large sized venues throughout the UK, South America and Mexico.

Under this name the band scored their biggest hit, "Male Stripper", teaming up with cult electro producer Man Parrish. Originally released in the United Kingdom in 1986 on the Bolts Records label, "Male Stripper" was a big club hit throughout the autumn and peaked at No. 64 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] In early 1987, "Male Stripper" charted again in the UK, and this time the song became an even bigger hit, spending five weeks in the Top 10 and two weeks at No. 4.[2] Miki Zone had died of spinal meningitis caused by AIDS on December 31, 1986. "Male Stripper" was a breakout crossover pop hit and in March 1987 Man 2 Man appeared on a segment in the European music TV show "Top Of The Pops".

Due to the death of Miki, Paul Zone decided to rename the act Man to Man and recorded a follow-up single. The record was a cover version of the Grace Jones hit "I Need A Man", which charted at No. 43 on the UK chart.[3] Paul Zone continued recording under this name into the 1990s, working with producers such as Jacques Morali. "I'll Try Anything Once" was released in 2008 on iTunes and featured vocals by Debbie Harry of Blondie.

Singles

  • "Male Stripper"
  • "Hottest of the Hot"
  • "New York City Beat"
  • "Energy Is Eurobeat" / "I Need a Man"
  • "Energy Is Eurobeat" / "Mexico"
  • "Hard Hitting Love"
  • "Who Knows What Evil?"
  • "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (with Jessica Williams)
  • "Sex Symbol"
  • "At the Gym"
  • "Hottest of the Hot"
  • "Mexico"
  • "Walk Like a Man"
  • "I Need A Man"/ "The Loneliest Man In The World" / "I Need A Dub" XYZ Records 1987
  • "I'll Try Anything Once" (featured Debbie Harry on vocals)

References

  1. ^ 1986 UK Singles Chart info from chartstats.com
  2. ^ 1987 UK Singles Chart info from chartstats.com
  3. ^ "I Need a Man" UK Singles Chart info from chartstats.com
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