"They
should be Superstars." This has been said by many fans, rock critics, king
of all media Howard Stern, and yes even rock n' roll legends like Paul
Stanley and Robert Plant just to name a few.
Named
best new artist by Rollingstone Magazine in 1991 should have set this band
on the path to super stardom, what happened? Many will argue that it was
personnel changes, the music biz, the rise of grunge, or maybe controversy
in the members lives. Sure all of those played a part, but what did Enuff
Z'nuff in was MTV, and Business side of the record industry. God knows
these four guys are premier musicians. And talent? They have it in spades.
Not to mention natural song writing ability, and the raspy John Lennon'esq
lead vocals of Donnie Vie.
Here
is the Story of one of the most under rated bands in Rock History.
Vie
and Z'nuff both from Chicago are rumored to have met at a White Sox game.
Vie at the time was the singer of a Beatles cover band, and Z'nuff a retired
minor league ball player was playing around town as well. They played together
and something clicked, the magic that is Enuff Z'nuff was born. They recorded
several songs in Chips basement, and made copies for their friends, and
the by then growing number of fans.
The
band was signed to ATCO records in 1989 and released their self titled
debut. They appeared on MTV with two successful Videos New thing
and Fly High Michelle in 1989. At that time in Rock History hair
was the big thing, so MTV and the bands label marketed the band as a glam
band, the only problem was that Enuff Z'nuff musically is anything but
Glam. So when Glam gave way to Grunge the "Hair Band" label became
the Kiss of death to many bands. .
But
Many rock fans fell in love with the bands powerful yet melodic
music. One listen was all it took for many listeners to become
adoring fans. The band has been called "the Beatles of the nineties"
by many of their fans, and the musical parallels are extraordinary.
Not only does Enuff Z' nuff capture the Beatles sound and blend it
with powerful hard rock riffs, but the two chief engineers
of the music Donnie Vie , and bass player Chip Z'Nuff, seemed to
have captured the magic as well.
The
Bands second record Strength, was released in 1991, Due to
low air play of the two singles "Your baby loves you" and "Mothers
eyes" the record did not sell well. Despite being receiving high Praise
from Rock Critics.
1993
saw major changes for Enuff Z'Nuff. First the band left ATCO
records and signed with Arista. Then drummer Vicki Fox split
to join the now defunct Vince Neil band. Donnie and Chip recruited
Ricky Parent to fill Fox's shoes. The band recorded their third album
Animals with human intelligence with Vicki Fox shortly before he left the
band.
But
that is really only the beginning of the story of Enuff Z'nuff, the real
story begins after they left Arista records following the slow sales of
t Animals with human intelligence.
Soon
after Guitarist Derek Frigo, left the band, and original Enuff Z' nuff
guitarist Geno Martino stepped in to take his place.
The
band found controversy when Madonna took offense at their depiction of
her, on their 1994 release 1985. A collection of Early Enuff Z'Nuff recording.
The
band split from the mainstream and signed with the independent label Mayhem
Records.
1995
saw the release of a new studio album Tweaked, considered by
many the bands Rubber soul album. Dealing with the specter of drug addiction
the record has a dark feel to it, a vast departure from the
lighter pop focus of Animals. Yet the move to independent recording seemed
a natural for EZN, tweaked proved to many fans that the
band's music was evolving.
Monaco
replaced Geno Martino on guitar, as the band headed out on it's first world
tour in three years.
Peach
Fuzz another collection of older EZN tunes was released, as well
as The Chip and Donnie Solo record Brothers (& Sisters). Although only
available on import many US fans fell in love with the more
musically mature Brothers. The band had come along way since their
first album, and a back to back listing of their self titled debut
and the brothers album was a clear indication that Enuff Z' nuff was not
the pop Glam band many non believes labeled them.
The
Brothers Album became Enuff Z' nuff Seven, including two new tracks.
1997 Saw the release of the Enuff Z'nuff Home Video which included there
videos plus TV appearances on the David Letterman Show. In December 97
the Live Album was released in Japan. Recorded in Philadelphia in 1990
this cd captures a side of the band that their studio records only give
a glimpse of, raw excitement. Although the studio records are incredible
nothing compares to an Enuff Z'nuff live show, each appearance just proves
that these guys are not only talented Song writers, but also incredible
musicians.
1998
is a promising year for the band. With the US release of the Live CD, to
be followed by a new studio record called Paraphernalia. There is also
the Vitamin A project a possible second studio record which shows
the lighter pop side of the band, Chip and Donnie are currently shopping
this material with major labels.
One
thing can be said about Enuff Z'nuff is that they stayed true to their
music, and their fans, and never gave up. The times they are a changing,
and Enuff Z'nuff has strong music, if they can just get a record company
behind them that would promote them, we would no longer ask why they are
not superstars, but how come it took so long?
nuff
said...
Written
by Keavin Wiggins
