Marc Tanner Band

Marc Tanner Band
Years active1979–1980
LabelsElektra
Past membersMarc Tanner
Linda Stanley
Steve Mann
Stepen Lyle
Michael Stevens
Irvin Kramer
Ronny Edwards
Joe Romersa

The Marc Tanner Band was an American rock band fronted by Marc Tanner that released two albums on the Elektra label. They had a minor hit with the song "Elena" in 1979.

Background

[edit]

During their time the band released two albums, No Escape in 1979 and Temptation in 1980.[1] They released two singles in 1979, "Elena" b/w "Lady in Blue" and "She's So High" b/w "Never Again". They released two more the following year, "Hold Your Head Up" b/w "Don't Say No (Surrender)", and "Hot and Cold" b/w "Temptation" in 1980.[2]

Career

[edit]

By February 1979, the group's debut album No Escape was released on Elektra, supported by the single "Elena".[3][4] Among the musicians that appeared on the album were William "Smitty" Smith, formerly of the group Motherlode and Vanetta Fields.[5][6]

For the week ending April 7, 1979, their single "Elena" had moved up from previous weeks position of 53 to 45, with "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor at No. 1.[7] Also in April that year with a line up that had been together for two months, the band appeared at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, playing a 51-minute set. Billboard reviewer Eliot Tiegel commented on the intensity of the band with the bass, 2 guitars and drums drowning out the other instruments,[8] with a suggestion that this promising band should respect the beauty of its instruments rather than concentrate on the wattage output.[9] In May 1979, Billboard had recommended "She's So High" as a top single pick.[10] Towards the end of May their record label was wrapping up a promo for the band's album No Escape. The marketing ploy had given out ten thousand tie clips in the form of handcuffs. There were also requests for the items from the nontraditional outlets, usually retail stores and radio. These were restaurants and night clubs. There was also an agenda to promote "Never Again" as a single.[11]

It was reported in the September 29 issue of Billboard that the group were working on a new album.[12] The group's second album Temptation was more towards band album in comparison to the previous which leaned towards a Marc Tanner solo album.[1]

The band was managed by Lewis Kaplan who also managed Carole King's daughter Louise Goffin.[13]

Later years

[edit]

Tanner has since embarked on a career in production and songwriting and is currently executive producer of a broadway play.[14][15][16]

"Elena" is featured on the 4 CD compilation California Groove II, released in 2010.[4][17]

Members

[edit]
  • Marc Tanner - vocals
  • Linda Stanley - vocals
  • Steve Mann - flute, saxophone
  • Stephen Lyle - keyboards
  • Michael Stevens - lead guitar[8]
  • Irvin Kramer - guitar
  • Ronny Edwards - bass
  • Joe Romersa - drums[9]

Discography

[edit]
Singles
Title Release info Year Notes
"Elena" / "Lady In Blue" Elektra E-46003 1979
"She's So High" / "Never Again" Elektra E-46043 1979 [2]
"Never Again" / "Never Again" Elektra AS-11419 1979 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo[18]
"Hold Your Head Up" / "Don't Say No (Surrender)" Elektra E-46589 1980
"Hot And Cold" / "Temptation" Elektra E-46614 1980 [2]
Albums
Title Release info Year F Notes
No Escape Elektra 6E-168 1979 LP [3]
Temptation Elektra 6E-240 1980 LP [19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Blue Desert. - West Coast Music, Marc Tanner Band
  2. ^ a b c 45Cat - The Marc Tanner Band - Discography
  3. ^ a b Billboard, February 17, 1979 - Page 1
  4. ^ a b West Coast Music In France, June 16, 2010 - California Groove 2 (4CD Box-Set) to be released in July in France
  5. ^ All Music - Motherlode
  6. ^ Sessiondays - 1979 Marc Tanner Band – No Escape
  7. ^ Billboard - Hot 100, The Week Of April 7, 1979
  8. ^ a b Billboard, April 7, 1979 - Page 49 Talent In Action, MARC TANNER BAND, Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, Calif - ELIOT TIEGEL
  9. ^ a b Billboard, April 7, 1979 - Page 93 *Continued from page 49, Talent In Action, MARC TANNER BAND, Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, Calif - ELIOT TIEGEL
  10. ^ Billboard, May 12, 1979 - Page 79 Billboard's Top Single Picks, recommended
  11. ^ Billboard, May 25, 1979 - Page 33 Pro-Motions by HANFORD SEARL
  12. ^ Billboard, September 29, 1979 - Page 39 Studio Track
  13. ^ Billboard, August 25, 1979 - Page 46 Talent, For Louise Goffin, Success Isn't Relative By PAUL GREIN
  14. ^ "Marc Tanner | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  15. ^ "CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles". www.celebrityaccess.com. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  16. ^ "Meet Marc Tanner | 25 year career in the music industry selling over 60 million records worldwide as a writer/Producer". 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  17. ^ Amazon France - California Groove 2 (Coffret 4 CD) Compilation
  18. ^ Discogs - The Marc Tanner Band – Never Again
  19. ^ Schwann-1, Record & Tape Guide, Volume 32, Issue 11 - ABC Schwann Publications, 1980 - Page 234