707 (band)

707
Origin Livonia, Michigan, USA
Genres Rock, hard rock, pop rock
Years active 1977–1983, 2000–present
Labels Casablanca, Boardwalk Records, MTM Music & Publishing, Bedrock, GB Music
Members Kevin Russell
Lewis
Past members Kevin Chalfant
Phil Bryant
Jim McClarty
Duke McFadden (deceased)
Tod Howarth

707 was a rock band of the early 1980s, best known for the rock radio hits "I Could Be Good For You" and "Mega Force".

I Could Be Good for You

The original members included Phil Bryant (bass, Vocals), Jim McClarty (drums), Duke McFadden (keyboards/synthesizers, vocals), and Kevin Russell (Guitars, vocals). Initially signed to Casablanca Records, they achieved significant rock radio airplay with "I Could Be Good for You", written by McFadden and McClarty. It peaked at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was featured on their first album, simply entitled 707. McFadden left the band before their second album. "I Could Be Good For You" was recently included in the Adam Sandler film "Grown Ups."

The Second Album

"Strings Around My Heart" failed to repeat their first single's success, but that didn't stop The Second Album from hitting the charts, peaking at #159 in 1981. Recording sessions began for a third album, The Bridge, featuring the addition of keyboardist/guitarist Tod Howarth. While being musically inventive and clearly demonstrating Howarth's influence, the recordings languished unreleased for 18 years due to contract disputes.

During 1981 707 performed "Tonite's Your Night" on The Midnight Special.

Mega Force

The band departed Casablanca, and signed with Boardwalk records, re-joining Bruce Bird and Neil Bogart, who had originally signed the band to Casablanca. In the tradition of other successful bands of the 1960s (The Beatles) and 1970s (Styx, Journey), 707 didn't have a single lead vocalist, and featured different band members taking lead vocals on different tracks; some songs even featured different vocalists within the same song. The label decided that 707 needed a single, distinguishable vocal front man, and Kevin Chalfant was added to the Megaforce lineup to take that role.

The result of those changes was the band's most successful album, Mega Force. The album peaked at #129 in 1982. The title track, originally recorded as the theme to the motion picture Megaforce, repeated the success of their first hit, reaching #12 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock charts and rising to #62 on the Hot 100.

The band played for stadium crowds as the opening act for several successful acts at their commercial peak, including Ted Nugent, Loverboy, Scorpions, Rainbow and REO Speedwagon's tour in support of their album Good Trouble, the follow-up to their smash HI-Infidelity. Despite that success, the group disbanded soon afterward.

Other work

Chalfant would later enjoy top 10 success at the dawn of the 1990s with one of the last successful bands of the AOR era, The Storm. After a hiatus from music in the mid-90s, he has remained active in solo and group projects, and has stepped in as temporary lead vocalist for Journey (1993) and The Alan Parsons Project (2003).

Tod Howarth enjoyed success with Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley's solo outing, along with stints in Ted Nugent's band, his own solo career, and as a longtime touring keyboardist for Cheap Trick. During Howarth's tenure, Frehley's Comet reworked the 707 song "Mega Force"; re-titled "Calling To You", this version (coincidentally released on Megaforce Records) features altered lyrics, with Jonathan Cain's writing credit removed and Frehley's added.

Kevin Russell fashioned a successful career as a record producer and guitar slinger for numerous acts, including Rick Derringer, Clarence Clemons, and Whitesnake.

After parting from 707, Jim McClarty worked in television and audio production before devoting himself to the ministry. He is currently a pastor near Nashville, Tennessee. In 2006 he returned to his 707 roots, mastering the band's album The Fourth Decade for Renaissance Records.

Duke McFadden died on April 5, 2005 from heart complications.

In 2000, 707 regrouped around guitarist Russell and recent independent-label releases have featured early demos, live tracks, and new material, as well as CD re-releases of their '80s albums.

Discography

Year Album Label
1980 707 Casablanca
1981 The Second Album Casablanca (US #159)
1982 Mega Force Boardwalk (US #129)
2000 Trip to Heaven Bedrock
2004 The Bridge MTM Music & Publish (2004); Renaissance (2006 re-release)
2005 Greatest Hits Live Renaissance
2006 The Fourth Decade Renaissance
2006 Magic Renaissance

References

External links

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