Loverboy

Loverboy Artistfacts

  • 1979-
    Paul DeanGuitar, vocals1979-
    Doug JohnsonKeyboards1979-
    Mike RenoLead vocals1979-
    Scott SmithBass1979-2000
    Mike FrenetteDrums1979-
    Ken "Spider" SinnaeveBass2000-
  • Paul Dean came up with the band's name while flipping through a fashion magazine in 1979. What started as "Covergirl" became "Coverboy" and, finally, "Loverboy."
  • The band maintained its original lineup until 2000, when original keyboardist Scott Smith died in a sailing accident.
  • The band's hit "Working For The Weekend" was featured in a Saturday Night Live skit. In the skit, Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze did an elaborate dance-off for a position as a Chippendale's dancer - "Working for the Weekend" was the backing music.
  • In our interview, Paul Dean explained that the first show the band performed was as an opening act for KISS. Said Dean: "We weren't tight. The bass player was looking at me, a little confused. And this was in front of 15,000 rabid KISS fans. But it was a good show."
  • Paul Dean credits Jim Kale, bass player from The Guess Who, with helping him learn to be a serious songwriter. The musician advised him to tie his lyrics together into something meaningful, rather than just string together phrases.
  • "Working for the Weekend," written by Paul Dean, was originally called "Waiting for the Weekend." Mike Reno suggested the change.
  • Loverboy released four Platinum albums - over a million copies sold for each.
  • The founding members were Paul Dean and Mike Reno. The pair met in a warehouse, where Dean was jamming with a new band. Reno stopped by with a mutual friend, belted out a few songs, and the two decided to collaborate formally on the spot.

Comments: 1

  • Allen S. from Medicine Hat AbI saw you in Medicine Hat maybe 80/81! One of the most memorable Concerts I had been to , it was Loverboy and Prism. Is Paul Dean from the Windermere Valley? Fan of Great Canadian Bands. Love your tunes.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."