Lineup

Bret Michaels, the iconic American singer/songwriter, has sold over 50 million records worldwide and starred in some of the highest-rated reality shows in history. A lifelong type 1 diabetic, Michaels is also a savvy entrepreneur, having launched the multi-million-dollar Pets Rock Collection with PetSmart, a custom guitar line, and the top-selling “Bret’s Blend, Diet Trop-A-Rocka” beverage for Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group. Through his Life Rocks Foundation, Michaels has raised millions for charity, supporting causes like diabetes research, childhood cancer, veterans’ organizations, and PetSmart Charities. Known for his talent, business acumen, and charisma, former Viacom CEO Judy McGrath described him as “a cultural touchdown.” A sought-after performer, Michaels has spent the last decade playing nearly 300 annual events, from concerts to charity engagements. His latest single, “Unbroken,” co-written and recorded with his daughter Jorja Bleu, showcases his enduring creativity and family connection. 

Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist.

As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like “Le Freak,” the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records and sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good Times.”

His work in the CHIC Organization including “We Are Family” with Sister Sledge and “I’m Coming Out” with Diana Ross and his productions for artists like David Bowie (“Let’s Dance”), Madonna (“Like A Virgin”) and Duran Duran (“The Reflex”) have sold over 500 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk (“Get Lucky”), Daddy Yankee (“Agua”), and Beyoncé (“Cuff It”) reflect the vanguard of contemporary hits.

May 1979. On an ordinary Thursday evening, Top of the Pops viewers witness a moment of musical history. Amid punk and disco, an otherworldly figure appears, part robot, part alien, delivering an enigmatic lyric about android existence. It’s Gary Numan with Tubeway Army’s breakthrough hit, Are ‘Friends’ Electric?. This futuristic performance would shape music to come, from synth-pop to industrial.

Fast-forward to 2021, and Numan’s single Intruder pulses with menace. Its dystopian narrative imagines Earth retaliating against humanity’s destruction. Paired with a striking video, it solidifies Numan’s visionary status.

Across four decades, Numan’s refusal to compromise has fueled a career of highs and lows. From chart-toppers like Cars to critical acclaim, he’s remained a pioneer. Influencing artists from Nine Inch Nails to Kanye West, Numan’s music continues to evolve. Albums like Savage and Intruder explore themes of climate collapse, proving his creative spark still burns bright.

Billy Ocean is Britain’s biggest black recording star, with over 30 million records sold worldwide. Born in Trinidad and raised in London, he was influenced by soul legends like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, as well as pop icons like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. His breakout hit, “Love Really Hurts Without You,” reached No. 2 in the UK and No. 12 in the US. His success continued with global hits like “Caribbean Queen,” which earned him a Grammy. His 1985 performance at Live Aid and hit “When the Going Gets Tough” solidified his fame. Over the years, he continued releasing chart-topping singles, including “There’ll Be Sad Songs” and “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car.” After a break, Billy returned in 2007, touring globally with his daughter, Cherie. He released the album “Because I Love You” in 2009, followed by “Here You Are” in 2016, marking his highest chart position in decades.

Los Angeles-based synth-pop group Berlin, founded by bassist John Crawford, singer Terri Nunn, and keyboardist David Diamond, made waves with their provocative 1982 single “Sex (I’m A…)” from the gold-certified Pleasure Victim EP. The band, joined by guitarist Rick Olsen, keyboardist Matt Reid, and drummer Rob Brill, released the gold-certified LP Love Life in 1984. In 1986, as a trio (Crawford, Nunn, and Brill), Berlin topped the charts with “Take My Breath Away,” the iconic love theme from Top Gun.

After Nunn departed for a solo career in 1987, Crawford and Brill formed The Big F. In 1999, Berlin reunited, recording new material and releasing the live album Berlin Live: Sacred and Profane in 2000. Collaborating with artists like Billy Corgan, Berlin returned with Voyeur in 2002, their first full-length studio album in over 15 years, reigniting their legacy as synth-pop pioneers.

Over the past 40 years—minus a brief hiatus—Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) have sold over 40 million records, cementing their status as pioneers of electronic music and one of Britain’s most beloved pop groups. Their catalog boasts groundbreaking albums like Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (1980), Organisation (1980), Architecture & Morality (1981), and Dazzle Ships (1983). OMD’s global success includes conquering the U.S. with their 1986 hit “If You Leave” from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack and achieving 12 UK Top 20 singles and three U.S. Billboard Hot 100 hits.

Since their reactivation in 2010, OMD has released three LPs, culminating in 2017’s The Punishment of Luxury, praised as a return to the shimmering brilliance of early classics like “Enola Gay” and “Souvenir.” Their 40th anniversary was marked by the release of the Souvenir box set, celebrating their extraordinary legacy in electronic music.

Taylor Dayne is a global pop icon with a career spanning three decades. The groundbreaking debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight international star in 1987. She followed the smash hit with seventeen Top 20 singles over the course of her three-decade career, including several No.1 hits: “Love Will Lead You Back,” “Prove Your Love” and “I’ll Always Love You.” Taylor Dayne has sold over 75 million albums and singles worldwide, earned three Grammy nominations, an American Music Award, multiple New York Awards, received New York Hall of Fame honors and ranked Number 18 in Rolling Stone magazine’s Best Female Dance Artists Of All Time list. She is one of the very few artists in music history to successfully crossover into almost every musical genre and chart with hit singles in Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary and Rock. With a truly distinctive vocal style and powerful range, she created a unique sound all her own that defined an era by her music. As the late 80s moved into the 90s, her chart-topping songs came with her. Her cover of Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” and “Send Me A Lover” brought a strength and power to the female voice. Taylor Dayne’s international radio and record success, along with her stage presence and world tours, has taken her musical message of love and passion straight to the heart of her fans and audiences worldwide.

Steven Adler is the legendary drummer and founding member of Guns N’ Roses, appearing on all of the band’s work between 1986 and 1988, along with “Civil War” from Use Your Illusion II. His signature grooves helped define rock anthems like “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Paradise City.” After his time with Guns N’ Roses, Adler continued rocking with his own band, Adler’s Appetite, and remains a beloved figure in rock history.

The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip-hop group best known for their 1979 hit “Rapper’s Delight,” the first rap single to reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track famously samples Chic’s “Good Times” as its instrumental foundation.

The group also achieved success in Europe with hits like “Apache,” “8th Wonder” (performed on Soul Train in 1981), “Rapper’s Reprise (Jam Jam),” and “Showdown” (with the Furious Five). In 1999, they reunited for Jump on It!, a hip-hop children’s album.

The group was formed by Michael “Wonder Mike” Wright, Henry “Big Bank Hank” Jackson, and Guy “Master Gee” O’Brien, under the direction of producer Sylvia Robinson, who founded Sugar Hill Records with her husband, Joe Robinson. The label and group were named after the Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem.

After Big Bank Hank’s passing in 2014, Wonder Mike and Master Gee reunited for a world tour in 2016.

Bassist Rudy Sarzo, a founding member of the Metal Health era, has rejoined Quiet Riot after nearly 20 years. Honoring Frankie Banali’s wishes and with the support of the Banali estate, Quiet Riot continues its iconic legacy into 2022. The current lineup features guitarist Alex Grossi, vocalist Jizzy Pearl, and Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly.

Quiet Riot became the first heavy metal band to top the pop charts with their 1983 album Metal Health, which sold over 10 million copies worldwide and spawned hits like “Cum On Feel the Noize.” Formed in 1980 and led by Kevin DuBrow, the band rose to massive fame as heavy metal pioneers.

Despite lineup changes and Banali’s passing in 2020, Quiet Riot remains committed to their music. With Sarzo back on board, the band is excited to tour and create new material, continuing their historic journey into the future.

The story of Glass Tiger, one of Canada’s most iconic bands, continues to thrive. Formed in Newmarket, Ontario in 1981 as Tokyo, the band built their reputation in the bar scene before signing with Capitol Records in 1985. Renamed Glass Tiger, their debut album The Thin Red Line became the fastest-selling debut in Canadian history, featuring hits like “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday.” Both singles reached the U.S. Billboard Top 10, propelling the album to quadruple platinum in Canada and gold in the U.S.

Grammy-nominated and five-time Juno Award winners, Glass Tiger has sold 5 million albums worldwide and shared stages with legends like Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, and Bryan Adams. Their 2019 EP 33 showcased a raw, mature sound, while their 2020 holiday album Songs for a Winter’s Night featured collaborations with Gordon Lightfoot and Natalie MacMaster. In 2023, Glass Tiger was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, cementing their enduring legacy.

Donnie Iris, a Pittsburgh icon, learned to sing from his mother and later from legends Tony Bennett and Marvin Gaye. In 1970, as a member of the Jaggerz, he earned a gold record for writing and singing the hit song “The Rapper.” By 1978, he joined Wild Cherry, where he met future collaborator Mark Avsec. Together, they began recording, eventually forming “Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.” Their first album, Back On The Streets , featured the hit “Ah! Leah!” which gained massive radio play despite being rejected by major labels. The song charted and led to the “King Cool” album, which included hits like “Love Is Like A Rock.” The band toured relentlessly in the 80s, opening for major acts such as Journey and Bon Jovi.

Today, at 82, Donnie remains a rock legend, known for his powerhouse vocals. The Cruisers, including Mark Avsec, Marty Lee Hoenes, Kevin Valentine, and Paul Goll, continue to perform together.

The Dazz Band, originally Kinsman Dazz, became the first Cleveland, Ohio group to win a GRAMMY® for Best R&B Performance by a Group or Duo with their 1982 hit “Let It Whip.” Known for their electrifying mix of R&B, funk, and soulful ballads, they achieved over 20 Billboard R&B and Pop hits, including classics like “Joystick,” “Swoop,” “Heartbeat,” and “Let It All Blow.”

Founded by GRAMMY®-winning saxophonist Bobby Harris in the late 1970s, the Dazz Band released seven albums under Motown, along with records on Geffen, RCA, and other labels. They toured with legends like Rick James, Luther Vandross, and Kool & the Gang, earning Gold and Platinum records. Their iconic electro-funk sound has been featured on Soul Train, American Bandstand, films, commercials, and video games.

Honored by the Smithsonian for their impact, the Dazz Band still reaches millions monthly on Spotify and Apple Music, solidifying their enduring legacy.

Heaven 17 began as a project under the British Electric Foundation (B.E.F.), founded by Martyn Ware after the original Human League’s breakup. Alongside Ian Craig Marsh and vocalist Glenn Gregory, they transformed into Heaven 17, creating the groundbreaking Penthouse and Pavement (1981), a blend of funky grooves and pure electronica. The album featured the politically charged “(We Don’t Need That) Fascist Groove Thang,” banned by the BBC for its controversial lyrics.

Their pop masterpiece, The Luxury Gap (1983), included the iconic single “Temptation,” a UK No. 2 hit, and solidified their place in pop culture. Tracks like “Come Live With Me” and “Crushed By the Wheels of Industry” further showcased their sharp critique of societal issues.

While later albums like How Men Are (1984) continued their experimental edge, Heaven 17’s influence peaked in the ’80s. After a hiatus, they returned with Beforeafter (2005), proving their timeless relevance with the U.S. dance hit “Hands Up to Heaven.”

Led by founding members Ivan and Colin Doroschuk, Men Without Hats continues to captivate audiences with their signature synth-pop sound, now joined by industry veteran Sho Murray and Colin’s daughter, soprano Sahara Sloan. Their latest project, Again (Part 1) , recorded atop Malahat Mountain on Vancouver Island from July 2020 to January 2021, reimagines classics like Lou Reed’s “Satellite of Love,” Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes,” and The Tragically Hip’s “Blow at High Dough,” while offering a fresh take on their iconic hit, “No Friends of Mine.”

Again (Part 2) delves into themes of love, life, and current affairs with tracks like “If the World Should End Today” and “The Human Race.” Using a mix of modern digital tools and vintage analog equipment—including the Prophet 5 synthesizer from The Safety Dance session—they bridge the past and future. Since 1978, Men Without Hats has crafted enduring anthems of positivity and resilience.

After four decades, dozens of classic songs, and a GRAMMY® Award, multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist Aldo Nova has returned to the spotlight after a self-imposed hiatus. He burst onto the scene with his multi-platinum debut album, Aldo Nova, featuring the rock anthem “Fantasy,” followed by the platinum-selling Subject…Aldo Nova and its hit “Monkey on Your Back.” After creative disputes with CBS Records, Aldo shifted to writing award-winning jingles for brands like Coca-Cola and Chrysler. Freed from his contract, he released Blood on the Bricks, co-written and produced with Jon Bon Jovi.

A trusted collaborator, Aldo co-wrote “Blaze of Glory” for Bon Jovi and Celine Dion’s chart-topping “A New Day Has Come,” among others, earning a GRAMMY® for Falling into You. He has worked with legends like Elton John and Faith Hill and toured with icons like Cheap Trick and Sammy Hagar. In 2023, he re-released his acclaimed instrumental album, Nova’s Dream.

Rob Base, hailing from Harlem, New York, began his musical journey performing with groups like Sure Shot Seven, Cosmic 3 MCs, Freedom Force, and Disco Enforcers. He later teamed up with DJ EZ Rock, his longtime friend since 4th grade, to form Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock. Their debut single, “DJ Interview,” released in 1986, marked the start of their career, followed by “Make It Hot” in 1987. By 1988, they signed a distribution deal with Profile Records.

That same year, they released their iconic debut album It Takes Two, with the title track becoming a massive hit. Both the single and album were certified platinum, with “It Takes Two” winning Single of the Year honors. Other hits like “Get On the Dance Floor” and “Joy and Pain” solidified the album’s success. Over the next 25+ years, Rob Base continued to make waves in hip hop, TV, and commercials, even becoming a Celebrity DJ.

Mohandas Dewese, better known as Kool Moe Dee, is a trailblazing rapper, songwriter, and actor born on August 8, 1962. As a key figure in hip-hop’s early days, he rose to fame with the pioneering group Treacherous Three before launching a successful solo career. Kool Moe Dee released seven studio albums, including the influential How Ya Like Me Now and Knowledge Is King, with his final album, Interlude, arriving in 1994.

Known for his fast, aggressive rap style, Kool Moe Dee shaped the evolution of hip-hop and influenced legends like Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Will Smith, N.W.A., Tupac Shakur, Nas, and Jay-Z. His hits “Go See the Doctor,” “Wild Wild West,” and “How Ya Like Me Now” remain classics.

Recognized for his contributions to the genre, Kool Moe Dee was ranked No. 33 on About.com’s list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).