Lineup

Dokken exploded out of the boiling hard rock/heavy metal scene in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. 1983’s “Breaking the Chains” with its catchy title track, set the stage for Dokken becoming the most dominant creative and commercial force in the world of Melodic Hard Rock for the following years. Such classic albums as “Tooth and Nail”, “Under Lock and Key” and “Back for the Attack” all became Multi-Platinum selling smashes and the live “Beast from the East” went gold in Europe and Japan. Songs like “Alone Again”, “Just Got Lucky”, “Into the Fire”, “In My Dreams”, “Unchain the Night”, “Dream Warriors”, “Burning like a Flame” and “Heaven Sent” are still nowadays regarded among the genre’s finest. 

Dokken has shared the stage with AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Kiss, Scorpions, as well as Bon Jovi, just to name a few. The band hit stadium status in 1988, playing in front of over a million fans in just five weeks. It seemed Dokken was on the verge of superstardom. But like so many other bands that have come before and after them, Dokken broke up his group in 1989.  

In 1994, the legendary A&R man John Kalodner offered Dokken a recording contract on the condition the group had to be original members. The band released the appropriately titled “Dysfunctional” in 1995 selling 450,000 copies, which by the mid ’90s was considered by industry standards very respectable. But just as they were on the verge of releasing a second single, filming a video, starting a world tour and “taking it all the way”, as Don Dokken puts it, the baggage from their past reared its ugly head, and again the group began to unravel. Soon after guitarist George Lynch left the group, he was replaced by Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake).  

They released “Erase the Slate” in 1999 Followed by their DVD “Live from the Sun” in 2000. In 2001, Beach was replaced by John Norum (Europe) and released the album “Long Way Home”. By 2003 guitarist Jon Levin came on board with the subsequent release of the albums “Hell to pay”. Lightening strikes Again’ and ‘Broken Bones’ and has remained with the group for over 20 years now. All 3 CD’s have been aclamained as a true and definite return to there classic sound.  

In October 2016, the original members of Dokken reunited for a brief Sold-Out tour of Japan, playing in several Arenas as well as co-Headlining the Loud Park Festival with the Scorpions. But as Don says, “It was fun to play with the original members again, but my current line-up of Dokken will remain so.”

DOKKEN is now Don Dokken (vocals), Mick Brown (drums), Jon Levin (guitar) and Chris McCarvill (bass).

Dokken has survived and kept their loyal fans in a time when people’s tastes change as fast as Britney Spears’ wardrobe, they have been embraced by a whole new generation of rock fans. They recently played at ‘The Bang Your Head Festival’ in Germany as well as ‘Rambling Man’ in England receiving rave reviews. The group is now currently back in the U S wrapping up there 2017 world tour! The group plans on a new record release in 2018.

They say a cat has nine lives and it seems Dokken is enjoying more than a few as well!  

FireHouse has been rockin’ for over a decade. Their music has taken them all over the world and has produced Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum records in the United States and countries abroad.

In 1990, their first album, entitled FireHouse, was released. The band’s first single, Shake & Tumble, had impressive radio success. The band then released Don’t Treat Me Bad, which became their first Top Ten hit. This was followed by Love of a Lifetime, which also entered the Top Ten, reaching the #3 spot on the United States charts. This string of hits vaulted their first album to double platinum status in the United States; also going gold in Canada, Japan and Singapore. At the 1991 American Music Awards, FireHouse found themselves standing before the nation accepting the award for Best New Hard Rock/Metal Band, chosen over Nirvana and Alice in Chains.

The band’s second album, Hold Your Fire, was released in 1992. It produced the hits Reach for the Sky and Sleeping with You. Another Top Ten hit, When I Look into Your Eyes, peaked on the United States charts at #5. This album earned the band two more gold albums and over 1 million sales worldwide.

In 1995, FireHouse released their third album on Epic, simply titled 3. Once again, FireHouse produced another Top Forty hit in the United States with I Live My Life For You. It was with this album that FireHouse made their first trip to Southeast Asia for a promotional tour. Earlier American hits like Don’t Treat Me Bad, Love of a Lifetime and When I Look into Your Eyes had climbed the charts in Asia. Here for You, the second single from 3, had also become a hit. The band then continued their promotional tour in South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina.

Their fourth album, Good Acoustics, was released in 1996 and quickly went gold in Malaysia, Thailand, and Philippines. Good Acoustics contains unplugged versions of the group’s greatest hits, as well as four new songs. This album produced foreign hits such as In Your Perfect World, Love Don’t Care and You Are My Religion. The band returned to Southeast Asia for another promotional tour at the end of 1996. Then, in February 1997, FireHouse embarked on their first concert tour of Southeast Asia playing sold out shows for fans in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan. During May and June they toured the United States before returning to Southeast Asia in July for an unprecedented twenty-five city sold out tour of Indonesia.

In 1998, FireHouse toured the United States on the Rock Never Stops tour, which also included Slaughter, Warrant, Quiet Riot, and LA Guns. October of 1998 featured the Asian release of FireHouse’s fifth CD, Category 5 on Pony Canyon Records. The album quickly climbed to #4 on the Japanese charts, and supporting promotional tour of Japan followed. Category 5 was officially released in the United States in 1999.

FireHouse continued touring through the winter and spring of 1999, including 3 more sold out shows in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. On April 22, 1999, the band recorded their live show in Osaka. The result – the first ever live album by FireHouse. Bring ‘em Out Live was released in Japan in December 1999 and in the United States on Spitfire Records in July 2000.

The turn of the century brought the release their seventh album, titled O2. It has been released in SE Asia on Pony Canyon Records, and in the US on Spitfire Records. This album had notable success despite the changing style of popular rock music. During this time, the band decided to part ways with original bass player, Perry Richardson. O2’s remarkable bass playing was supplied by Bruce Waibel. Bruce brought to the band his phenomenal bass playing along with is equally impressive sense of humor. We truly regret to say that in September 2003, Bruce has passed away. He will be greatly missed as a friend and talented musician.

FireHouse headed back into the studio in early 2003 to write and record their 8th album, PRIME TIME. As music changes over time, FireHouse continues to evolve their musical style; yet, at the same time, hang onto their hard rock roots. Released in October of 2003, album number 8 is no exception. You can expect to hear what FireHouse is famous for … soulful, melodic hard rock.

Information Society’s electronic music evolution spans from their 1983 self-released album to the 2014 release, “_hello world.” Led by founder Paul Robb, the group achieved early success with the Freestyle classic “Running.” Their major label debut, “Information Society,” produced hits like “What’s on Your Mind (Pure Energy).” Despite lineup changes, they continued to release albums, exploring electro-industrial roots in the ’90s. A renaissance in the 2000s led to new material like “Oscillator” and “Synthesizer.” The band’s 25th-anniversary performance resulted in the DVD “It Is Useless to Resist Us: 25 Years of Information Society.” In 2014, the original members reunited for “_hello world,” showcasing a fusion of their past and present. The album features classic dance floor tracks like “Get Back” and cinematic textures like “Creatures of Light and Darkness.” The first single, “Land of the Blind,” embraces their signature sound with modern production. Gerald V. Casale joins them in a cover of Devo’s “Beautiful World.” Surrounding the release, Tommy Boy commissioned remixes of “Running,” and Mannequin Records reissued their 1983 EP. With a new album, remixes, EP reissue, and a tour, 2014 marked a significant year for Information Society. 

Kurtis Blow is one of the founders and creators of recorded rap. A timeless artist and hip hop legend, Kurtis blazed the trail for early hip hop artists and continues to carry the torch for hip hop music in new arenas. Kurtis is credited with many accolades, and was the first rapper to ever be signed to a major label, release a certified gold rap album (The Breaks), tour the United States and Europe, record a national commercial (Sprite), use the drum machine, sample and sample loop, release a rap music video, and become a millionaire.  

In 1979, at the age of 20, Kurtis Blow became the first rapper to be signed by a major label. He released Christmas Rappin’, which sold over 400,000 copies and became an annual classic. Its gold follow-up, The Breaks, helped ignite an international “rap attack,” solidifying the new art form. He released 10 albums over 11 years and his early projects made him an instant success at home and across Europe. Pioneering records like Party Time introduced the fusion of rap and go-go. Hit songs like “8 Million Stories”, “AJ”, and “Basketball” were simply ahead of their time, and still get spins by DJs today. Fellow rap legend Nas debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts with a cover of Kurtis’ “If I Ruled the World” in 1997.

Honeymoon Suite, formed in 1982 by Johnnie Dee and Derry Grehan, quickly gained attention with their hit “New Girl Now” in the Homegrown Contest. Signed by WEA Canada, the band’s debut album in 1984 achieved platinum sales. They toured extensively with notable acts and received a Juno nomination. The success continued with the platinum-selling second album, ‘The Big Prize,’ in 1986, featuring collaborations with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Despite challenges, including injuries to Johnnie Dee, the band persevered with albums like ‘Racing After Midnight’ in 1988. 

Changes in management led to lineup adjustments, but the original trio reunited in 1990 for ‘Monsters Under The Bed.’ The album spawned successful singles in Canada and gained some US exposure through TV shows and movie soundtracks. The band’s recent reunion has brought them back on tour, with a Best of album and DVD released by Warner in Canada. Stay updated on their tour and releases at honeymoonsuite.com.

Formed in Wales in 1981, The Alarm gained acclaim with their debut single ‘Unsafe Building,’ characterized by a vibrant mix of acoustic guitars and Mike Peters’ fervent vocals. Praised by U2’s Bono as “The second greatest rock and roll band in the world,” they amassed 17 Top 50 UK singles and over 6 million album sales globally. Their breakthrough in the USA with ‘The Stand’ and ‘Sixty Eight Guns’ led to the iconic ‘Spirit of ’86 Concert,’ broadcast on MTV. 

In 1991, the original members bid farewell, sparking controversy in 2004 with The Poppy Fields ‘fake band’ subterfuge. The millennium saw their return with ’45 RPM,’ bringing their electro-acoustic rock sound back into the UK top 40. In 2005, lead singer Mike Peters’ cancer diagnosis led to selective shows during treatment. Undeterred, The Alarm continued with albums like ‘Under Attack’ and founded the Love Hope Strength charity. 

Facing more challenges, including Jules Peters’ battle with Breast Cancer, the band released ‘Equals’ (2018) and ‘Sigma’ (2019), both topping the UK Rock charts. In 2020, during lockdown, they hosted ‘The Big Night In,’ attracting over 500,000 viewers. The critically acclaimed ‘OMEGA’ (2021) entered the Top 10 of the UK Rock Music chart. 

Celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2022 with the ‘History Repeating Anthology’ and World Tour, the journey was cut short by Mike Peters’ Pneumonia and Leukemia relapse. Undaunted, Peters led the band back into the studio, resulting in ‘Forwards,’ entering the UK Album Rock Chart at #4 and the Billboard Independent Album Chart at #21. 

Faster Pussycat rose from the depths of the mid-‘80s Hollywood rock scene, taking the Sunset Strip by storm with a sound that wasn’t glam and wasn’t punk, but blistered somewhere in between. With an attitude and swagger all its own, their self-titled debut featured the instant classics “Babylon,” “Bathroom Wall,” “Cathouse” and “Don’t Change That Song,” and its follow-up ‘Wake Me When It’s Over’ climbed even higher with the radio hit “House Of Pain,” “Poison Ivy” and “Where There’s A Whip There’s A Way.” Despite their successes, Faster defied the mainstream mold and always followed front man Taime Downe’s underground sensibilities. The gold and platinum records are nice, but Taime considers his greatest accomplishment to be longevity. “The only number that really matters to me is the number 35. Three and half decades later, Faster Pussycat are still rocking, and it feels as fresh as it did in 1986.” Look no further than their 2021 releases “Nola” and the Johnny Thunders cover “Pirate Love”–Faster Pussycat are as virile and tenacious as ever…and won’t have it any other way.

T’Pau was a late-1980s rock group led by singer Carol Decker. They had a string of Top 40 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe. 

T’Pau formed in 1986. The members originated from the towns of Shrewsbury and Wellington in central England and took their name from a Vulcan high priestess in the classic Star Trek episode Amok Time. Their debut single and first hit was the 1987 release Heart and Soul. Initially a flop in the UK, it first became a hit in the U.S. Billboard charts, reaching #4, a feat it repeated in the UK Singles Chart some months later. The same year, the band had their biggest hit with the ballad, “China in Your Hand,” which spent five weeks at Number One in the UK chart, and also claimed the top slot in several European countries, although oddly the song made little impact on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

They had a number of smaller hits which made it to at least the UK Top 40, including the singles “Valentine”, “Sex Talk” (a new recording of early flop single “Intimate Strangers”), “I Will Be With You”, and “Secret Garden.” Their 1987 album Bridge Of Spies (the album was called T’Pau in the U.S.) was a best seller and won several British record industry awards. 

Nevertheless, the band failed to maintain their success and split in 1991. But Decker reformed the band with a new line-up in 1998, and T’Pau have in recent years attempted a comeback. 

In May 2005, Carol Decker reached the final round of the ITV show Hit Me Baby One More Time, singing the T’Pau hit “China in Your Hand.” 

In The Jam, Bruce Foxten and drummer Rick Buckler were the driving force, power and rhythm section behind singer, guitarist, and songwriter Paul Weller. Bruce’s versatility is evident, taking lead vocals on “David Watts” (The Kinks) and writing “News Of The World”, which to this day appears as the theme to the BBC’s Mock the Week show and has introduced his work to a new generation of fans. Perhaps Bruce’s most notable work “Smithers-Jones”, the story of the city executive who soon finds he has been chewed up & spat out, is just as pertinent today as it was in 1979 when he wrote it for the Setting Sons LP. 

After The Jam split in 1982, Foxton pursued a solo career. He had a hit with the single “Freak” and collaborated with other musicians, until he got the call from Stiff Little Fingers’ Jake Burns, staying with SLF for fifteen years, recording four albums, namely, Flags and Emblems, Get a Life, Tinderbox, and Guitar and Drum. 

Russell Hastings has been working with Bruce Foxton since 2007 when Russell and Rick Buckler were touring with The Gift which was formed in 2006. Russell has been the only frontman to work with both Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton since Paul Weller split The Jam in 1982 and has been earning respect from fans across the world as a frontman and with his guitar skills. As a genuine Jam fan, his passion and understanding of The Jam’s history is second to none and has toured the world playing to packed houses of Jam fans for years. 

In May 2007 From The Jam toured the UK to sold out venues. Since then they have toured the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand as well as some dates in Europe. 

Musical Youth is a British reggae band that emerged in the late 1970s in Birmingham, England. The original lineup included Kelvin Grant, Michael Grant, and the Waite family: father Fredrick Waite, along with his sons Patrick and Junior Waite. Kelvin, the youngest of the group, served as the original lead singer and later became a notable artist in his own right. In 1981, Dennis Seaton joined Musical Youth, becoming one of the lead singers alongside Kelvin Grant. This addition was significant for the band’s formation.  

The band gained international recognition with their debut album “The Youth of Today,” released in 1982. The album featured their smash hit single “Pass the Dutchie,” which topped the UK Singles Chart and became a global sensation. It also reached the 10th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. “Pass the Dutchie” even stayed at number 1 in New Zealand for 20 weeks.  

In 1985, Dennis Seaton definitively left the band. In addition to achieving worldwide success with “Pass the Dutchie,” Kelvin Grant has the distinction of being the youngest person with a number 1 hit to his name. He is also considered the most sampled reggae artist of all time. “Pass the Dutchie” has become an enduring classic and experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to its inclusion in Stranger Things Season 4, where it became a TikTok sensation and reached number 1 once again. The song also appeared at number 2 on the Top TV Songs chart and reached number 120 on the Global 200, as well as number 196 on the Billboard Global Excl US charts. According to Luminate, the song was streamed a staggering 11.8 million times. In addition to its appearance in Babylon, Musical Youth’s music was featured in various films, including Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Wedding Singer, Scooby-Doo, and Stranger Things Season 4 Part 4, further solidifying its status as a cultural icon.

Sunset BLVD will transport you back to the 80s, with a show that celebrates the fun, loud guitars, big hair and the hits of all things 80s rock (with a touch of pop) that made the 1980s the best decade for music…..EVER!

Hailing from Detroit Rock City, Sunset BLVD delivers an arena style show, equipped with an LED video wall, state-of-the-art sound and lighting and wardrobe straight out of your favorite hair band’s closet! With both a male & female lead vocalist, there is no territory from the 80’s left untouched – from Motley Crue, Poison, Bon Jovi & GNR, to Michael Jackson, Heart & Joat Jett, this band delivers the best of the Good-Time Era!!!

From crowded clubs to the largest stages of Southern California and beyond, The Reflexx continues to perform the greatest hits of 80s new wave and classic alternative. Their setlist ranges from the megahits of Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears, Duran Duran, The Cure, and INXS to hit singles like The Safety Dance, Send Me An Angel, and Major Tom and so many more. If you grew up watching MTV, listening to KROQ (LA), WLIR (NY), or currently listen to SiriusXM’s 1st Wave, The Reflexx is a must-see live experience.

Are you ready to journey through the 80s? Well…Are you ready??? Say no more! Our very own party band, Trial by Fire – Journey through the 80s, is just what you need to get the party started! Whether you spent your Friday nights at The Headbangers Ball or chilled watching YO! MTV Raps…these bad boys got you covered! What’s that? You prefer sipping a piña colada while listening to yacht rock or maybe jumping up on stage and performing with the band at their wildly popular Cobra Kai live band karaoke show? Done and done. Having performed with such artists as Corey Glover of Living Colour and Tone Loc, you never know who’s gonna show up at a TBF show! Still not convinced? OK…Go back to the homepage, click on the video and listen to the song, “Journey through the 80s,” that the boys wrote specifically for The 80s Cruise. Are you ready now? We knew you would be. Party on and journey through the 80s with us!

For over 21 years now, Larry The Duck can be heard on SiriusXM 1st Wave Monday through Friday from 5:00AM to 9:00AM eastern time and is currently a Senior Director at Island Federal. He started his radio career on June 1, 1979, on the legendary alternative radio station WLIR-FM in New York. As a DJ and Music Director of WLIR-FM, he broke numerous unsigned artists that became mainstream and is documented in the movie New Wave: Dare To Be Different on Showtime, Showtime On Demand and Netflix. He has won numerous awards including 1986 Radio Announcer of the Year by Billboard Magazine and Music Director of the Year by The Gavin Report for two years in a row in 1987 and 1988. In addition to his radio career, his business roles included Publisher of Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News at Cap Cities / ABC, Disney and Reed Elsevier. He was an SVP at Newsday and Cablevision.

Lori Majewski co-hosts Feedback, the morning show on Volume, the first talk channel about music, for which she also hosts Fierce: Women in Music. In addition, Majewski hosts Lust for Lists, her classic-alternative “mixtape” program on First Wave. She co-authored Mad World: An Oral History of New Wave Artists and Songs That Defined the 1980s (Abrams), which Amazon and Buzzfeed named to its 2014 “Best Books” lists. A writer for Yahoo! Music, Rolling Stone, and Billboard, Majewski is a music expert on CNN’s The Eighties, The Nineties, and The 2000s. A vegan, she lives with her husband and cats in Weehawken, New Jersey, where she began her career editing her ” Duranzine ,” Too Much Information.

Brian Wilk began playing piano as early as he could reach the EBONY AND IVORY, but classical music gave him GROWING PAINS. So when the 80’s hit, he was a MANIAC for MTV and 80’s TV theme songs. He gave up riding the MORNING TRAIN and his 9 TO 5 life to pursue music, playing top 40 and performing with the ComedySportz improv troupe. But he was an OWNER OF A LONELY HEART until dueling pianos said you CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING and he found his TRUE COLORS. When Brad Heron was born, Dr. Feelgood took one look at his Flock of Seagulls hairdo and said, “This kid is destined for 80’s greatness!” His parents nurtured this gift with diligence: keeping him swaddled in red and black Thriller onesies, playing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in his crib, and pushing him around in a mini DeLorean stroller. He was soon reaching for that Casio keyboard, impressing everybody with his pop music covers. There was no stopping the music after that. Year after year, it has been proven onboard The 80s Cruise that there is almost no 80s song that Brian and Brad don’t know (or can’t make up the words to)! This dynamic duo knows how to get a crowd going. You can catch them around the ship rockin’ the keys all week!

Kevin is our solo guitarist and has made a career in music focusing on the audience experience. His shows are all-request, all-fun and you may even find yourself part of the show! He certainly has the 80s covered but will wander the decades, whatever it takes to bring the party. From Key West to California, Maine to Martinique, there’s something for everyone!

In 2020, The 80s Cruise was introduced to this wig-wearing, basketball jersey-sporting DJ, and it was a perfect match. You’ll be able to see and hear Retro DJ Travis Bell at parties day and night all week. Travis brings an unsurpassed energy level to any dance floor by mixing tunes in his custom DJ booth. This guy is into the 80s so much he even drives the ambulance from Cannonball Run.

You’ll find DJ Christopher J. on stage keeping audiences dancing with his eclectic music selections and deep cuts. Christopher brings an energetic and encyclopedic knowledge of music that will add yet another level to the music experience aboard The 80s Cruise.

Can you guess who heads up Big 80s Trivia on The 80s Cruise? Yep, it’s Steve Spears and Brad Williams! As the Stuck in the 80s podcast leaders, these dudes co-host their outrageously popular trivia sessions onboard.