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Once upon a time in Los Angeles
there was a band called Red Zone. It was a retro science fiction
band featuring Astrid Plane on vocals. Charles Ottavio was at the
helm as producer of their album "Living on Lust". Larry Ross of
CBS Records became interested in signing the band but it was not
meant to be. In 1983 Red Zone disbanded. Astrid and Charles
decided to put together a new band. Astrid came up with the name
Animotion. They recruited Red Zone band members Frenchy O'Brien
(drums) and Paul Antonelli (keyboards). Charles switched from
producer/manager to bass player for the newly formed band. Larry
Ross quit CBS records to become their full time manager. Larry
brought in male crooner Bill Wadhams to sing lead opposite Astrid.
Animotion did a showcase for Russ Regan of Polygram Records and
signed with Polygram in March 1984. During the recording of the
first album Bill brought in guitarist Don Kirkpatrick and keyboard
player Greg Smith. The album was released in late 1984 and
Animotion began getting their first airplay from KROQ in Los
Angeles. KISS FM in L.A. soon followed and Animotion was on their
way to their first top 10 hit! In 1985 Animotion hit the road for
their first tour of the west coast. This was the time when the
band really got to know each other and never knew when they might
find a plastic dinosaur hidden in their bed. Later, they toured
with Howard Jones playing to sold out arenas and stadiums across
the US and Canada while "Obsession" was climbing the charts. This
was the beginning of MTV and Animotion did their first video with
Ken Walz (Cyndi Lauper/"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"). They enjoyed
heavy MTV airplay and the video even made it to number 1 in
Cashbox magazine's video chart. The band also shot videos of their
other singles, "Let Him Go," "I Want You" and "I Engineer." From
1985-1986 Animotion made several TV appearances on American
Bandstand, Solid Gold and Soul Train. Astrid and Bill also were
presenters at the 1986 American Music Awards. In late '86 and
early '87 the band went into high gear criss-crossing the Atlantic
to do a video in London, TV shows in Germany and to perform at the
world famous Montreaux rock festival in Switzerland. Jim Blair had
joined the band as their new drummer and they returned home to Los
Angeles to open for Depeche Mode. In the middle of recording their
third album for Polygram the band mysteriously, spontaneously
combusted! One theory was an overdose of MSG in the Chinese food
they ate that day. They were not to eat together again for 14
years. With mega-effort from Bill Wadhams, Animotion had their
first reunion on February 8, 2001 in Portland, Oregon playing to a
sold-out crowd at Polly Esthers. The band all agreed that it felt
like magic to be onstage together again and Animotion the sequel
was launched!
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