Touch is a little known rock band from New York that managed to land two minor charts in the early 80s: "When The Spirit Moves You" and "Don't You Know What Love Is," which went to #65 and #69, respectively. Both came from their 1979 self-titled debut record. After their sophomore record, lazily titled "Touch II," failed to generate interest, the band dissolved. Lead singer and songwriter Mark Mangold would go on to be a successful hitmaker for others, including Michael Bolton and Cher. "Take It Back" is a track that should have been considered as a single. The band produced its share of filler, but this one shines.
My first pick to post for the Indiana singer and songwriter Henry Lee Summer was "Put A Little Love" from his should-have-been comeback record from 1999 called "Smoke & Mirrors." But I can't find it anywhere! So I'm going with "I Know How You Feel," an underrated track from Summer's excellent 1988 self-titled debut album. This terrific track is among many on the record that didn't chart, although he did score three hits from this record with "I Wish I Had A Girl" (#20), "Darlin' Danielle Don't" (#57), and "Hands On The Radio" (#85). Summer's career looked more secure than it was, landing another Top 20 hit 1989 from his sophomore effort when "Hey Baby" reached #18. Despite his highest chart success, nothing else from that record made its way onto the chart and in 1991 he saw his last appearance when "Till Somebody Loves You," which featured Michael Bolton on backing vocals, tanked at #51.
KISS was founded by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in the early 70s and took the world by storm with their music and make-up. Their music often played second fiddle to their outrageous outfits and theatrics, but the band has enjoyed a string of hits through multiple decades. KISS sings of sex, drugs, and rock n roll. Their breakthrough hit arrived in 1975 when their now classic tune, "Rock And Roll Every Nite," went to #12. Their biggest hit came the next year, when the atypical balled "Beth" sung by Peter Criss reached #7. They scored another unexpected hit with "I Was Made For Lovin' You" in 1979. Capitalizing on the disco trend, this one went all the way to #11. The band continued to crank out albums through the 80s, but lost their chart mojo until 1990 when Michael Bolton helped them with the song "Forever." Propelled by the power-ballad craze at the time, "Forever" put KISS back in the limelight with another top ten hit, this one reaching #8. Their follow-up single, "Rise To It," went back to cock rock and stalled at #81, marking their last chart appearance. Kind of a sequel to "Rock And Roll All Night," "God Gave Rock N Roll To You II" is a memorable anthem that salutes one of the greatest genres of music.
