STAFF PICKS: Best bets, bits and pop culture:
“Good news for 1980s pop fans...
The Hooters have a new album....Both Sides Live is so much fun.
Filled with violin accents and Eric Bazilian’s mandolin.“
Ocala Star Banner, July 2009
A little Hooters history...
The Hooters formed in Philadelphia in 1980. The rockers were led by singer/keyboardist Rob Hyman and
singer/guitarist Eric Bazilian.
First independent album in 1983, "Amore" sold over 100,000 copies and included the original versions of band
classics "All You Zombies" and "Fightin’ On The Same Side".
In 1984, the Hooters signed with Columbia Records and their debut major label release, "Nervous Night" quickly
followed in 1985 featuring hits such as "Day by Day", "And We Danced", "Where Do The Children Go" and "All
You Zombies".
In July 1985 the Hooters were chosen to open the LIVE AID concert in Philadelphia. "Nervous Night" quickly
achieved worldwide Gold and Platinum status all over the world.
Rolling Stone magazine names the Hooters "Best New Band Of The Year" in 1985.
"One Way Home" (Columbia 1987) gave fans great hits such as "Johnny B", "Karla With A K" and "Satellite".
"Zig Zag" (Columbia 1989) featured the song "500 Miles" which led to additional Gold and Platinum success and the
attention of Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters.
Roger Waters invited the Hooters
to perform at his 1990 multimedia extravaganza THE WALL (Live in Berlin), along
with music greats such as Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, The Band, Bryan Adams and many others.
Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman, along with producer Rick Cherloff, wrote and played on Cyndi Lauper’s debut album
"She’s So Unusual", Rob and Cyndi’s song "Time After Time" went on to be nominated for numerous Grammys,
including song of the year.
Joan Osborne’s debut album "Relish" was largely co-written and played by Eric and Rob. Eric’s masterfully penned
"One of Us" shot up the charts spending eight weeks in the Top 10. "Relish" and particularly the song "One of Us"
were nominated for multiple Grammys in 1996, including Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year and Best Female
Pop Vocal Performance.
Other notable artists Rob and Eric have worked with over the years included Taj Mahal, Mick Jagger, Sophie B.
Hawkins, Jon Bon Jovi, Willie Nelson, The Band, LeAnn Rimes, Amanda Marshall, Billie Myers, Carole King, Robbie
Williams and more recently Dar Williams, Jonatha Brooke, JC Chasez, Meatloaf and The Scorpions. In 2000, the
Hooters were honored to have Ricky Martin cover the English version of "Private Emotion" on his debut Grammy
nominated self-titled album.
Following an extended hiatus, the Hooters reunited in 2001 and continued to tour extensively throughout Europe,
most recently in the Summer of 2008.
The Hooters’ first new album in 14 years, "Time Stand Still," came out to great critical acclaim in 2008.
"Both Sides Live" 2–CD set is the Hooters first internationally released live album and features all their greatest hits!
The Hooters Are:
Eric Bazilian: vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, sax
Rob Hyman: vocals, keyboards, accordion
John Lilley: guitar, mandolin, vocals
Fran Smith, Jr.: bass, vocals
Dave Uosikkinen: drums
