1981 Pages – Pages

Pages was an American pop rock band of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band consisted of Richard Page and Steve George on vocals and keyboards, supported by various studio musicians, some of whom from time to time were considered part of the band proper. Although Pages was highly regarded for its well-crafted pop and jazz-fusion sound, the group did not achieve commercial success, and disbanded after recording three albums. Pages is perhaps best known as the launching pad for the recording careers of Page and George, who later formed Mr. Mister and topped the charts during the mid-1980s with pop classics such as “Broken Wings” and “Kyrie.”

Pages grew out of a long friendship between Richard Page and Steve George dating back to their high school days in Phoenix, Arizona. After high school, the two occasionally played together in bands in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. For a time, Page relocated to San Diego to attend music school.

In 1977, emerging teen idol Andy Gibb, recently relocated in Los Angeles and as his first single, “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” was racing to the top of the charts, recruited Page and George to perform vocals and keyboards as part of his backing band along with Peter Leinheiser on lead guitar, Jerry Manfredi on bass and Russ Battelene on drums.

Gibb toured with this group of musicians throughout 1977. Toward the end of the year, the group recorded a demo tape of original jazz-fusion material. This tape came to the attention of former Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer Bobby Colomby, who liked what he heard and signed the group, now called “Pages,” to Epic Records. The group also included Page’s cousin John Lang. Although Lang could not play a musical instrument (he claimed he was tone deaf), he became Pages’ chief lyricist.

Future Street displayed future commercial potential, the album failed to chart. The band switched to Capitol Records, and brought in acclaimed producer Jay Graydon. The resulting album – eponymous like their first album – was released in 1981. Two singles were released from the album, “You Need a Hero” and “Come on Home.” Interestingly, these were the only tracks produced by Colomby on the album.

The players on this album consisted of Page (lead and background vocals), George (backing vocals, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer: Yamaha CS-80 – Oberheim – ARP 2600, Mini-Moog, clavinet, electric power oboe and grand piano) John Lang (co-writer), Charles Johnson (guitar), Neil Stubenhaus (bass), Ralph Humphrey (drums), Steve Khan (electric guitar), Jeff Porcaro (drums), Paulinho DaCosta (percussion), Vince Colaiuta (drums), Tom Scott (sax), Jay Graydon (guitars, synthesizer programming, producer), Mike Baird (drums) and Al Jarreau (vocal flute). Despite this powerhouse lineup of musicians, the album failed to chart.