THE ORIGINAL STARFIRES rock and roll band have signed with Pacific Records. Howard Blank (drummer) in 1958 was the co-founding member of THE STARFIRES. Howard left the group in 1964 after recording over a dozen songs with the group. In late 1965 THE STARFIRES recorded “Time Won’t Let Me”. In early 1966 Capitol Records released the song under a different name (The Outsiders). The track went on to reach #5 in the Billboard charts in April 1966.
“I am so excited to welcome THE ORIGINAL STARFIRES to the Pacific Records family. There is so much history here and all of us at the label are looking forward to the group’s upcoming album which will blend new material along with fresh recordings of the bands original hits.” – Brian A. Witkin, CEO Pacific Records.
Today, Howard heads up the all-star band which includes nationally recognized band members LAURIE BEEBE LEWIS, former lead singer of THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS. Laurie was also a member of the acclaimed BUCKINGHAMS for three years and toured with THE TURTLES “Happy Together Tour” together with Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Gary Puckett, and others.
Other current band members include ELI HOLLAND from Brooklyn, New York. Eli is the lead vocalist and front man. He is a prolific song writer and performer. He composed over two dozen songs of which several were recently recorded and performed by the band. He also collaborated on an album with PETER BAUMANN of techno pioneers “Tangerine Dream”. The video single “Strangers in the Night” aired frequently on MTV. YASHA SUSOEFF (music director, keyboardist, and bari-sax) was a member of and toured with the AL WILSON band in 1972. Songs include “Show and Tell” and “The Snake”. LORI WILSON (vocals) was a backup vocalist with the MONORES. MATT SIMPSON (bass guitar) worked with several popular California bands. MEL VERNON (guitar) toured nationally and internationally with the FABULOUS PELLICANS for ten years. JIM BRUNO (sax) is a jazz sax player who crossed over to rock and roll after he joined the band. He was discovered to have a great singing voice during an early rehearsal with the band.
