80´s west coast music…
Led by singer Franke Previte, the New Brunswick, NJ, band Franke & the Knockouts scored several pop hits in the early ’80s. Previte, who had played in local bands since his teens, formed the group with guitarist Billy Elworthy in 1981 and they were quickly signed to Millennium Records.
Rounding out the original quintet were keyboardist Blake Levinsohn, bassist Leigh Foxx, and drummer Claude LeHenaff. Their self-titled debut, which showcased their light pop/rock leanings, was a surprise success, spawning a Top Ten single with “Sweetheart” and a Top 40 follow-up, “You’re My Girl.” Personnel changes would occur when LeHenaff left in late 1981 (future Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres would appear on their next couple albums) and keyboard player Tommy Ayers joined early the following year.
In 1982, the band released their second album, Below the Belt, and again scored a Top 40 hit with the keyboard-heavy ballad “Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)” that summer. Switching labels to MCA, Franke & the Knockouts final release, 1984’s Makin’ the Point, continued the band’s diminishing fortunes.
Previte struck it big in 1987 when two songs that he had co-written were included on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Eric Carmen’s version of his “Hungry Eyes” would become a Top Five smash (and restore the former Raspberry to chart prominence), while Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes would top the charts with “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” Both songs, originally recorded but never released by Franke & the Knockouts, along with all three of the group’s charting singles appear on 1999’s compilation Sweetheart Collection.
Words from allmusic.com
Discography
The Complete Collection
Friday Music 2018
Tracks: CD1: Come Back, Sweetheart, She’s Runner, You’re My Girl, One For All, Tonight, Running Into The Night, Tell Me Why, Annie Goes Hollywood, Don’t Stop, Never Had It Better, Without You (Not Another Lonely Night), Just What I Want, Any Way That You Want Me, Morning Sun (Dream On), Shakedown, Keep On Fighting, Have No Fear & Gina. CD2: You Don’t Want Me (Like I Want You), Come Rain Or Shine, You’re All That Really Matters, Carrie Why?, So Cool (Nobody’s Fool), One Good Reason, Blame It On My Heart, Sweet Marmalade, Desperatly, Faded In The Night, Heartache Avenue, Imaginary Line, Cruisin', I'll Never Leave L.A. Again, I Will Never Love Again, Beat Of A Broken, Heart, Paid To Order Of Love & It's Alright By Me. CD3: Never Had It Better, Just What I Want, Without You (Not Another Lonely Night), Sweetheart, You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You) & One Good Reason.
Musicians on the Complete Collection album: Franke Previte, Billy Elworthy, Blake Levinsohn, Tommy Ayers, Leigh Foxx, Claude Lehenaff, Ricky Hitchcock, Richie Puente and others.
The Best Of
Friday Music 2011
Tracks: Sweetheart, She's Runner, You're My Girl, Running Into The Night, Comeback, You´re My Girl, One For All, Annie Goes To Hollywood, Never Had It Better, Without You (Not Another Lonely Night), Just What I Want, Morning Sun (Dream On), You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You), Outrageous, Come Rain Or Shine, You´re All That Really Matters, One Good Reason, Blame It On My Heart, Hungry Eyes & Beat Of A Broken Heart.
Musicians on the Best Of album: Franke Previte, Billy Elworthy, Blake Levinsohn, Tommy Ayers, Leigh Foxx, Claude Lehenaff, Ricky Hitchcock, Richie Puente and others.
The Sweetheart Collection
Razor & Tie Entertainment Inc 1999
Tracks: Come Back, Sweetheart, She's Runner, You're My Girl, Running Into The Night, Never Had It Better, Without You (Not Another Lonely Night), You've Just What I Want, Morning Sun (Dream On), Keep On Fighting, Outrageous, You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You), Come Rain Or Shine, Blame It On My Heart, Hungry Eyes & Time Of My Life.
Musicians on the The Sweetheart Collection album: Franke Previte, Billy Elworthy, Blake Levinsohn, Tommy Ayers, Leigh Foxx, Claude Lehenaff, Nathan East, John Denicola, Tommy Allen, Kim Bullard, Allen Zahn, Jimmy Yeagor, Jimmy Maelen, Richie Puente, Lenny Castro, Charlie Dominici, Brooklyn Dreams, Al Wotton, Jeff Porcaro, Ricky Hitchcock, Ronnie Drayton, Tommy Fuller, Marc Russo & Georgia Jones.
Makin´ The Point
Escape Music 1984
Tracks: Outrageous, You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You), Come Rain Or Shine, You're All That Really Matters, Carrie Why?, So Cool (Nobody's Fool), One Good Reason, Blame It On My Heart, Can't Get Enough Of You & Hungry Eyes (Bonus Track).
Musicians on the Makin´ The Point album: Franke Previte, Billy Elworthy, Blake Levinsohn, Kim Bullard, Jeff Porcaro, Lenny Castro, Nathan East & Marc Russo.
Below The Belt
Escape Music 1982
Tracks: Never Had It Better, Without You (Not Another Lonely Night), Just What I Want, Any Way That You Want Me, Morning Sun (Dream On), Shakedown, Keep On Fighting, Have No Fear, Gina & Every Little Bit Helps (Bonus Track).
Musicians on the Below The Belt album: Franke Previte, Billy Elworthy, Blake Levinsohn, Tommy Ayers, Leigh Foxx, Al Wotton, Ricky Hitchcock & Richie Puente.
Franke & The Knockouts
Escape Music 1981
Tracks: Come Back, Sweetheart, She's Runner, You're My Girl, One For All, Tonight, Running Into The Night, Tell Me Why, Annie Goes Hollywood, Don't Stop & Time Of My Life (Bonus Track).
Musicians on the You Can´t Go Back album: Franke Previte, Billy Elworthy, Blake Levinsohn, Leigh Foxx, Claude Lehenaff, Tommy Ayers, Jimmy Maelen, Charlie Dominici & Brooklyn Dreams.