“Bandiversaries” of our ‘70s Rock & Romance Artists

August 2, 2017

The bands that will be performing on the ‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise have been together longer than most marriages we know! We counted up the “bandiversaries” for these acts who have brought rock and romance to our lives for decades and congratulate them on their amazing and enduring careers.

STYX: 45 years

Styx officially debuted in 1972 but the group actually started as far back as 1961 when Chuck Panozzo and his twin brother John were just 12 years old. They enlisted Dennis DeYoung, all of 14, to round out the band. By 1984, the band decided to split but several members reunited for a spell between 1990 and 1992. In 1995, the band started up again, with lead singer Lawrence Gowan stepping in for Dennis DeYoung in 1999.

AMERICA: 47 years

America formed in 1970, ironically in England, after high school pals Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley had been performing together for some time. Within two years, they hit the charts with “A Horse With No Name” and continued to release a slew of hit singles and albums and tour the world until Peek’s death in 2011. Bunnell and Beckley carry on with America’s music to this day.

AIR SUPPLY: 41 years

Air Supply started out in 1976 and ruled the airwaves and the pop charts before deciding to take a break in 1987. But it didn’t last long – by 1989 the group’s pair of lead singers, Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell, were back in the studio again and have continued to release their signature love songs and tour around the globe.

WAR: 48 years

In 1969, Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan and his bandmates were discovered by Eric Burdon (of the Animals) and successful record producer Jerry Goldstein. Within less than two years, Burdon recorded two albums (one of them a double-disc set) with the group and together they toured the world. After he left to resume his solo career, War continued to record and tour, releasing a string of hit singles that embody the laid-back groove of the ‘70s. Today, Lonnie brings War to delighted fans, including those on the ‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise.

THE GUESS WHO: 52 years

Born in 1965, The Guess Who were one of the most powerful rock bands of the era until they broke up in 1975. Only two years later, several band members reunited for a special concert followed by a slew of new recordings. Since then, the band has operated like the coolest kind of rock n’ roll clubhouse imaginable, with original and newer band members moving in and out as the band keeps thrilling fans on tour.

ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION: 46 years

In 1971, The Atlanta Rhythm Section officially settled on a name for themselves after months of playing together as the house band for a recording studio near, yes, Atlanta. Original members Rodney Justo and Dean Daughtry have kept the southern rock flowing ever since.

BADFINGER: 48 years

Joey Molland joined Badfinger in 1969 and – aside from a short break between 1974 to 1978 - has remained a dedicated member of the group.

POCO: 49 years

Guitarist Rusty Young formed Poco with fellow bandmates in 1968 and has never stopped delivering the band’s mellow hits to fans. When the ‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise sails in 2018, Poco will be celebrating its golden anniversary. Be sure to congratulate Rusty when you see him on the ship!