Being the star of hit TV shows (Miami Vice and Nash Bridges) and movies just isn't enough for some people. Don Johnson also wanted to sing his heart out. Don Johnson's debut album arrived in 1986, whose title track, "Heartbeat," soared all the way to #5. But when the follow-up single, "Heartache Away," stalled at #56, he seemed destined to be a one-hit wonder. However, his 1988 duet with Barbara Streisand, "Till I Loved You," (the love theme from the Broadway musical Goya) reached a respectable #25. The album "Heartbeat" featured an all-star cast, including songs written by Tom Petty and Bob Seger, and backing vocals by Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson. "The Last Sound Love Makes" is a missed opportunity that I think stood a decent chance at some chart action. Johnson's fame and support staff helped propel his album to an impressive #17 on the Top 200. Unfortunately, lightning did not strike twice and his 1989 sophomore record, "Let It Roll" didn't even chart.
The name Rupert Holmes is forever linked to the infamous story of infidelity told in his #1 smash from 1980, "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)." Most people forget he had another top ten hit with his hymn, "Him," which hit #6 that same year. Rupert Holmes began his career in the early 70s and a jingle writer and songwriter, and debuted his first album, "Widescreen," in 1974. It spawned zero hits, but got the attention of Barbara Streisand, who recorded some of the tunes for her smash movie, A Star is Born. It allowed him to keep making albums that eventually led to his breakthrough record, "Partners In Crime," which delivered his two top ten singles. Holmes is best known for his story-driven adult contemporary songs, but his catalogue is quite quirky and diverse. He did a homage to The Beatles with "I Don't Want To Hold Your Hand," tributes to his father's classical musician career ("Second Saxophone"), songs that showed his sense of humor ("Everything Gets Better When You're Drunk"), and a lullaby to his daughter called "Touch and Go." He even has some rockers like "Aw Shucks (It Was Nothing)," from his 1976 record called "Singles." There's a lot more to this guy than Pina Coladas.
