Roman Holliday was established in November 1980 by Brian Bonhomme, Steve Lambert, Simon Cohen and Peter Noone (the latter of whom left shortly after the band’s formation). Later on, Rob Lambert and Jon Durno joined, followed by Soho Square busker, John Eacott. At the end of 1982, Adrian York joined the band as a piano player. Tony Wallman was in the band briefly (before the band became successful). After John Peel saw the band at the Jive Dive swing club in London, they recorded two sessions for his show. Mick Jones, then of the Clash, also saw them and invited them to support his band, which led to a signing to Jive Records. “Don’t Try to Stop It” was their second single for Jive and became a hit in summer 1983. The follow-up, “Motormania” failed to achieve the same success and the parent album Cookin’ on the Roof, released in late 1983, achieved only modest success. In 1984, both brass men, Rob Lambert and John Eacott left the band.
In the United States, Roman Holliday achieved exposure through MTV, which aired their “Stand By” video. The single went to number one on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart in November 1983. Roman Holliday also charted in Japan on the international, as well as the domestic market, with “Hear It in the Night” and the Robert John “Mutt” Lange written and produced track, “One Foot Back in Your Door”. Both singles went top 10.
Roman Holliday split up in the mid 80’s, leaving behind them some very sad fans. Roman Holliday may be gone, but their music lives on and the fans are still as dedicated as before. The group reunited again in 2001 for a reunion gig at The Borderline in London. For all those who attended it was a great night of entertainment.
Where is your MTV?
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