Platinum Blonde (band)
Encyclopedia
Platinum Blonde is a Canadian New Wave
group in the mid 1980s-early 1990s. The band originally consisted of Mark Holmes from Scarborough on vocals and bass, Sergio Galli on guitar and Chris Steffler on drums. Scottish
musician Kenny MacLean
later joined the group as the bassist. The name of the band was inspired by the 1931 Jean Harlow
movie Platinum Blonde
. They were known also for their stylish glam rock
-like appearance.
The band re-united in 2010 and will be releasing a new album in 2012.
Platinum Blonde was inducted into the Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame on March 12, 2010.
performing the music of The Police
in Canada's university and club circuit. In 1983, they released a self-titled six-song EP, which made it to #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 band's popularity on the airwaves in Canada was thanks to a triple platinum (300,000) album, featuring four hits including two Juno Award
nominations: "Standing in the Dark
" and "It Doesn't Really Matter". Their music videos were placed into high rotation on the newly created MuchMusic
, Canada
's national music video network. Within months some were calling Platinum Blonde the top band of the decade because of their glamorous image and cutting-edge, futuristic New Wave videos.
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. The title track "Contact" charted well, but the album was a commercial disappointment. Platinum Blonde changed their name to The Blondes and recorded 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 opened the internationally renowned The Mod Club Theatre
on College Street in Toronto's Little Italy. The Mod Club Theatre has showcased the likes of Muse, Amy Winehouse, MGMT, The Killers, The Ruby Spirit, Keane, Feist, Mobile and more.
Rumors of a reunion of the original band, and possibly some new material, continued to swirl, as the band has played a few charity concerts in the mid-2000s. A DVD video compilation entitled Platinum Blonde: The Complete DVD Collection is in production. According to the band's official website, the compilation consists of nine music videos as well as several bonus features.
Bassist Kenny MacLean was found dead on November 24, 2008 in his recording studio on Yonge Street in Toronto. He had just released his third solo CD entitled Completely at Toronto's Mod Club on Friday November 21, passing away that night after the show of heart failure.
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 Robert Smith
(The Cure
) on the Fiction Records
label .
Platinum Blonde have been touring Canada throughout 2011.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group in the mid 1980s-early 1990s. The band originally consisted of Mark Holmes from Scarborough on vocals and bass, Sergio Galli on guitar and Chris Steffler on drums. Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
musician Kenny MacLean
Kenny MacLean
Kenneth Irving MacLean was a Scottish-Canadian musician, best known as a former member of the multi-platinum selling band Platinum Blonde....
later joined the group as the bassist. The name of the band was inspired by the 1931 Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" , Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute...
movie Platinum Blonde
Platinum Blonde (film)
Plantinum Blonde is a 1931 romantic comedy motion picture starring Jean Harlow, Robert Williams, and Loretta Young . The film was written by Jo Swerling and directed by Frank Capra....
. They were known also for their stylish glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
-like appearance.
The band re-united in 2010 and will be releasing a new album in 2012.
Platinum Blonde was inducted into the Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame on March 12, 2010.
History
Platinum Blonde originated in 1983 as a tribute bandTribute band
A tribute act is a music group, singer, or musician who specifically plays the music of a well-known music act - sometimes one which has disbanded, ceased touring or is deceased. Probably the largest class of tributes acts are Elvis impersonators, individual performers who mimic the songs and style...
performing the music of The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
in Canada's university and club circuit. In 1983, they released a self-titled six-song EP, which made it to #39 on the Canadian album charts. It was quickly expanded into a full length album titled Standing in the Dark
Standing in the Dark
Standing in the Dark was the first full-length album by Platinum Blonde. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1984, it expanded on the band's original 6-track EP...
, which featured identical artwork to the EP.
The band's popularity on the airwaves in Canada was thanks to a triple platinum (300,000) album, featuring four hits including two Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
nominations: "Standing in the Dark
Standing in the Dark
Standing in the Dark was the first full-length album by Platinum Blonde. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1984, it expanded on the band's original 6-track EP...
" and "It Doesn't Really Matter". Their music videos were placed into high rotation on the newly created MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's national music video network. Within months some were calling Platinum Blonde the top band of the decade because of their glamorous image and cutting-edge, futuristic New Wave videos.
In 1985, the band released a second album called Alien Shores
Alien Shores
Alien Shores was Platinum Blonde's 1985 follow up to their debut album Standing in the Dark. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1985, it contained one of the band's biggest Canadian hits with "Crying Over You" and their only US hit, "Somebody Somewhere".This album was the first to feature...
, featuring the addition of a fourth member, Kenny MacLean
Kenny MacLean
Kenneth Irving MacLean was a Scottish-Canadian musician, best known as a former member of the multi-platinum selling band Platinum Blonde....
. "Alien Shores
Alien Shores
Alien Shores was Platinum Blonde's 1985 follow up to their debut album Standing in the Dark. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1985, it contained one of the band's biggest Canadian hits with "Crying Over You" and their only US hit, "Somebody Somewhere".This album was the first to feature...
" 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
Contact (Platinum Blonde album)
Contact, the 3rd album from the new wave band Platinum Blonde, was released in 1987. Canadian sales of Alien Shores and Contact exceeded 100,000 copies....
, was a hit in Canada, going double platinum. The title track "Contact" charted well, but the album was a commercial disappointment. Platinum Blonde changed their name to The Blondes and recorded 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
War of the Worlds (TV series)
War of the Worlds is a television program that ran for two seasons, from 1988 to 1990. The series is an extension of the original 1953 film The War of the Worlds, using the same War Machine, often incorporating aspects from the film, radio adaptation, and original novel into its mythology.Though...
.
In 2002, Mark Holmes opened the internationally renowned The Mod Club Theatre
Mod Club Theatre
Mod Club Theatre is a nightclub in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its address is 722 College Street, which is in Little Italy. The venue hosts live performance concerts and DJ nights, featuring genres like rock, pop, electronic music and hip hop.Mod Club Theatre has a capacity of about 600...
on College Street in Toronto's Little Italy. The Mod Club Theatre has showcased the likes of Muse, Amy Winehouse, MGMT, The Killers, The Ruby Spirit, Keane, Feist, Mobile and more.
Rumors of a reunion of the original band, and possibly some new material, continued to swirl, as the band has played a few charity concerts in the mid-2000s. A DVD video compilation entitled Platinum Blonde: The Complete DVD Collection is in production. According to the band's official website, the compilation consists of nine music videos as well as several bonus features.
Bassist Kenny MacLean was found dead on November 24, 2008 in his recording studio on Yonge Street in Toronto. He had just released his third solo CD entitled Completely at Toronto's Mod Club on Friday November 21, passing away that night after the show of heart failure.
Present and future plans
On March 10, 2010, Platinum Blonde played their first reunion show at The Mod Club TheatreMod Club Theatre
Mod Club Theatre is a nightclub in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its address is 722 College Street, which is in Little Italy. The venue hosts live performance concerts and DJ nights, featuring genres like rock, pop, electronic music and hip hop.Mod Club Theatre has a capacity of about 600...
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
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
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
Crystal Castles (band)
Crystal Castles are an experimental electronic band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, consisting of producer Ethan Kath and lyricist and vocalist Alice Glass. Crystal Castles are known for their chaotic live shows and their lo-fi home productions. The duo released many limited EPs between 2006 and...
featuring the vocals of Robert Smith
Robert Smith (musician)
Robert James Smith is an English musician. He is the lead singer, guitar player and principal songwriter of the rock band The Cure, and its only constant member since its founding in 1976...
(The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
) on the Fiction Records
Fiction Records
Fiction Records is a UK label founded by Chris Parry in 1978 that is best known for being the home of The Cure for over 20 years. Formerly independent, the label is now owned by Polydor, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.-History:...
label .
Platinum Blonde have been touring Canada throughout 2011.
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... RPM TOP 100 |
USA Hot 100 |
Album | ||
| 1982 | "Hey Hey You" | - | - | Non-album single |
| 1984 | "Doesn't Really Matter" | 34 | - | Standing in the Dark Standing in the Dark Standing in the Dark was the first full-length album by Platinum Blonde. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1984, it expanded on the band's original 6-track EP... |
| 1984 | "Standing In The Dark" | 43 | - | |
| 1984 | "Sad Sad Rain" | 56 | - | |
| 1985 | "Take It From Me" | - | - | |
| 1985 | "Not In Love Not in Love (Platinum Blonde song) "Not in Love" is a song performed by Canadian New Wave group Platinum Blonde. The song was released as a single from the group's album Standing in the Dark.-Crystal Castles Version:... " |
17 | - | |
| 1985 | "Crying Over You" | 2 | - | Alien Shores Alien Shores Alien Shores was Platinum Blonde's 1985 follow up to their debut album Standing in the Dark. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1985, it contained one of the band's biggest Canadian hits with "Crying Over You" and their only US hit, "Somebody Somewhere".This album was the first to feature... |
| 1985 | "Situation Critical" | 18 | - | |
| 1986 | "Somebody Somewhere" | 26 | 82 | |
| 1986 | "Hungry Eyes" | 50 | - | |
| 1986 | "Father Christmas" | - | - | Non-album single |
| 1987 | "Contact" | 11 | - | Contact Contact (Platinum Blonde album) Contact, the 3rd album from the new wave band Platinum Blonde, was released in 1987. Canadian sales of Alien Shores and Contact exceeded 100,000 copies.... |
| 1988 | "Connect Me" | 45 | - | |
| 1988 | "Fire" | 49 | - | |
| 1988 | "If You Go This Time" | 71 | - | |
| 1990 | "Yeah Yeah Yeah" (as The Blondes) |
75 | - | Yeah Yeah Yeah |
Albums
- Platinum BlondePlatinum Blonde (album)Platinum Blonde is the self-titled debut EP by Platinum Blonde released in 1983. The EP was only released on vinyl and cassette and is also known as Six Track Attack...
EP (1983) #39 CAN - Standing in the DarkStanding in the DarkStanding in the Dark was the first full-length album by Platinum Blonde. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1984, it expanded on the band's original 6-track EP...
(1983) #23 CAN - Alien ShoresAlien ShoresAlien Shores was Platinum Blonde's 1985 follow up to their debut album Standing in the Dark. Released by Columbia/CBS Records Canada in 1985, it contained one of the band's biggest Canadian hits with "Crying Over You" and their only US hit, "Somebody Somewhere".This album was the first to feature...
(1985) #3 CAN - ContactContact (Platinum Blonde album)Contact, the 3rd album from the new wave band Platinum Blonde, was released in 1987. Canadian sales of Alien Shores and Contact exceeded 100,000 copies....
(1987) #20 CAN - Yeah Yeah Yeah - released under The Blondes (1990)
- Best of Live (1993)
- Seven Year Itch: 1982-1989 (1999) #23 CAN