Do you remember the movie Top Gun? It was such a major hit and iconic success for major movie star Tom Cruise, that I’m sure most readers have seen, or at least heard about the movie. However, how many remember when the movie was released. That was thirty-three years ago. Some of you were not born yet, or you were possibly toddlers and too young to be aware of that type of entertainment. This week I took a trip back in time in my mind to 1986. Many folks love to talk about those years in the 1980’s and comment how the music was different then. True, not only were the movies and music different, but for most of us we enjoy remembering about a different era. I’ve lived long enough to understand such reflections.
The big reason my thoughts turned to 1986 was the fact that Weekly Music Commentary was featuring lead singer of the band Berlin, Terri Nunn. If the name Terri Nunn, or the band Berlin are unfamiliar, maybe you will remember Berlin’s chart-topping hit song “Take My Breath Away”. It was the band’s biggest hit, and their last.
Nevertheless, the band is still together and touring. Fans are still gathering to hear their music. Perhaps still remembering the music, and the time period. I’m happy that Berlin is still remembered today. Their music should be heard by younger fans and musicians.
However, as I mentioned earlier in this post, Weekly Music Commentary is featuring lead singer Terri Nunn. Why? Well, earlier this year Terri Nunn was honored at the Women’s International Music Network’s 2019 She Rocks Awards. Previous award recipients include Melissa Etheridge, Pat Benatar, The B-52s, Colbie Caillat, Sheila E, Chaka Khan, Ronnie Spector, Orianthi, The Bangles, and many more, plus a collection of role models from all walks of the music and audio industries.
Nunn joined a diverse lineup of 2019 honorees that included Macy Gray, Lisa Loeb, Nita Strauss, Erika Ender, and more. Interestingly, I could have chosen any of the aforementioned artists. The reason can be found in the original announcement when the choice was made to honor Nunn:
“We are pleased to be honoring the one and only Terri Nunn at the upcoming She Rocks Awards,” said the WiMN founder, Laura B. Whitmore. “Her accomplishments and persona have had a lasting influence on countless musicians, and we look forward to inducting her into the She Rocks class of 2019.”
The music careers of Terri Nunn and Berlin are forever tied, therefore it would be good to look back at the band’s beginning, and how Nunn became the lead singer.
The earliest genesis of Berlin was the band The Toys, formed in 1978 in Orange County, California, by John Crawford (bass guitar), Dan Van Patten (drums), Chris Ruiz-Velasco (guitar), and Ty Cobb (vocals). After a few shows, the band changed its name to Berlin, discharging Cobb as lead singer in the process. After a brief stint with Toni Childs as lead singer, Terri Nunn joined the band after answering an ad through the Musicians Contact Service in Hollywood in 1979.
The band’s first single, “A Matter of Time,” was released in 1979 on Renegade Records[ and they appeared on television for the first time on the short-lived “Hollywood Heartbeat” hosted by former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, Bob Welch. Nunn left the group later that year to pursue an acting career forcing the band to replace her with Virginia Macolino.
I cannot blame young and charismatic Terri Nunn for seizing opportunities to break into the entertainment industry. In fact, at the time the move made sense for Nunn. Berlin, however, ran into some problems. The band released the 1980 album Information, with Macolino as lead vocalist, but the band struggled signing with a mainstream label without Nunn. As band manager, Perry Watts-Russell explained, “Unfortunately, the record labels that had shown interest in December 1979, when Terri was the singer, were no longer keen to sign the band. So, by later that year, Berlin had effectively broken up, and John had formed and was the lead singer in another group, Fahrenheit, with Dan Van Patten.
Terri Nunn rejoined the band as singer in 1980, and they signed to independent label Enigma Records on which they released a double A-sided single, “Tell Me Why” / “The Metro”. The single was intended as a one-off, since Crawford was by then focusing on his new band Fahrenheit and regarded Berlin as a “just for fun” side project. However, the single was a success. This set in motion several good things for Berlin, and eventually Geffen Records’ offer was accepted and the label re-released Pleasure Victim worldwide in early 1983. The label also re-released “The Metro”, which then became another hit.
Here it was 1983 and Berlin, with Terri Nunn, found success in the music industry. In 1984, the band released their third studio album, Love Life, and the single “No More Words,” which became their first Top 40 single on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #23. Of course lightning struck big in 1986 with “Take My Breath Away” becoming a huge international hit.
A few years ago I was discussing music business with an industry executive who explained to me that everything changes when you have a hit song. With a couple of hits, and one major hit under belt, Berlin and Terri Nunn were in a very different place than 1979. In fact, those hits have continued to keep the band in a place of relevance.
After years of changes and disagreements, Berlin, with original members John Crawford and David Diamond, was actually planning new music. Will we ever get a new Berlin album? It’s hard to say, but because they have recorded music it is very possible. We can all look out for any announcements in the future.
Founded in 2012, the Women’s International Music Network unites women who work within all facets of the music and audio industries. With theWiMN.com as its hub, the WiMN provides a community for women within the industry while enriching their careers and musical experiences through networking and sharing. That’s what makes this honor special for an entertainer in Terri Nunn’s category. Her years of experience and music will certainly help the next generation of women working in the music industry.
In conclusion I would like to extend congratulations to Terri Nunn for her accomplishments within the music industry, and for all the work with Berlin. This is not a retirement. She still rocks!