"Below the Belt" was the 1982 sophomore effort from this short-lived AOR band from Jersey, better known for their initial hit "Sweetheart" (which graced the top 10 in 1981). Franke (Previte) and the Knockouts released 3 CDs total and many consider them to be lost gems of the era. They are also known for "discovering" drummer Tico Torres, who played with them in 1983-4 before joining Bon Jovi. Curiously, there is a song on "Below the Belt" called Gina, who in Bon Jovi's lyrical lexicon, "dreams of running away".
Franke and the Knockouts really should have been more than a one hit wonder - maybe a three or four hit wonder. Franke Previte wrote some excellent melodies, and sang them with an exceptional voice that sounded a lot like Mike Reno (Loverboy) with a touch of Lou Gramm. Musically, Franke and the Knockouts also sounded a lot like classic Foreigner.
"Below the Belt" had a moderate hit with the cozy balled, "Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)". Some other cool lost AOR cuts on this record include the punchy "Never Had It Better" and the mellow mid-tempo number, "Morning Sun (Dream On)". Of course, no AOR record is complete without a Survivor-ish anthem for the rebellious at heart; "Keep On Fighting" fills that quota, complete with plenty of thumping bass.
Proving that good tunes eventually find more than a few ears, Previte later went on to win an Academy Award since some of his early songs, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" and "Hungry Eyes" were recorded by other artists for 1987's huge "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack. The original versions recorded by Franke and the Knockouts can be found together on their "Sweetheart Collection" disc, but you'll need to take out a loan to pay for it. "Below the Belt" don't come any cheaper.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 7
Franke and the Knockouts - official site.
And look here - a video for "Without You"!
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