Career retrospective of '80s hitmaker Franke & the Knockouts due soon; supports cancer organization

To some people, Franke & the Knockouts was that 1980s band led by the Jersey guy who would go on to win the Academy Award and Golden Globe for writing Dirty Dancing’s hit theme song, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

To others, it was that other New Jersey band that boasted Tico Torres as its drummer ― right before he joined Bon Jovi en route to superstardom.

And then there are those who still can’t shake that Top 10 smash “Sweetheart” from their brains, even though they might not remember the artist behind the band and its other Top 40 blue-eyed soul 1980s hits: “You’re My Girl” and “(Without You) Not Another Lonely Night.”

On Nov. 30 - almost 35 years since the arrival of the third and final album in the band’s blue-eyed soul trilogy - Friday Music is releasing the newly remastered ultimate collection, Franke & the Knockouts: The Complete Collection.

The deluxe three-CD set features all newly remastered tracks from the band’s three “lost” albums, Franke & the Knockouts (1981), Below the Belt (1982) and Makin’ the Point (1984) for the first time packaged together on CD, plus 11 bonus rare demo and unreleased recordings from Franke's personal archives, ranging from his early ‘70s hard rock band Bull Angus, into his late ‘70s solo R&B work on Buddha Records to his post-Knockouts ‘80s group Brave New World, as well as additional tracks from the ‘90s.

This new set also includes a bonus CD featuring six live performances compiled over the years by Franke just for this collection. As Franke points out, it was a fusion of Bull Angus’ harder edge and the traditional R&B sound of his solo recordings that brought the “Knockout punch” to the blue-eyed soul of Franke & The Knockouts.

There are contributions from the likes of Kasim Sultan (Todd Rundgren), Mark Rivera (Billy Joel), Jeff Porcaro (Toto), Nathan East (Eric Clapton) and Grammy-winning producer Tony Camillo (“Midnight Train to Georgia”), all of whom had roles in the recorded output found exclusively in this three-disc set.

“This collection also gives me a chance to re-live some of those moments hearing my voice at its best and being able to realize that I made a small little indentation to the music industry that some people still remember and enjoy,” says Previte.

“For years I’ve been getting emails from people all over the world who just love the music and are dying to know how they can get a hold of it. Some of the original records have been selling for a couple hundred bucks online, so I decided it’s time that I put out everything and make it special, affordable and accessible for fans of all generations.”

Previte is donating $1 of his proceeds from every sale to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in memory of his courageous Dirty Dancing friend, the late Patrick Swayze.

“Pancreatic cancer ranks among the lowest of all cancers receiving government funding in finding a cure,” he says. “So it’s up to us. If we all could donate just $1, we’d give hope a real chance to conquer this horrific disease.”

These days, Previte is primarily focused as the creator and co-producer of Calling All Divas, a nationally touring new musical tale following four very different and remarkable women competing to become the world’s next female singing superstar. It’s a joyous celebration of music, friendship and the power of sisterhood in a pop, rock, soul, and country hit parade, transporting us all on a magical musical journey.

Franke & The Knockouts was a tremendous part of Previte’s own journey, integral in leading him to the Academy Awards and his latest chapter as a Broadway style musical producer.

Track listing:

DISC 1

1. Come Back
2. Sweetheart
3. She's A Runner
4. You're My Girl
5. One For All
6. Tonight
7. Running Into The Night
8. Tell Me Why
9. Annie Goes To Hollywood
10. Don't Stop
11. Never Had It Better
12. Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)
13. Just What I Want
14. Any Way That You Want Me
15. Morning Sun (Dream On)
16. Shakedown
17. Keep On Fighting
18. Have No Fear
19. Gina

DISC 2
1. Outrageous
2. You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You)
3. Come Rain Or Shine
4. You're All That Really Matters
5. Carrie Why?
6. So Cool (Nobody's Fool)
7. One Good Reason
8. Blame It On My Heart
9. Sweet Marmalade
10. Desperately
11. Faded In the Night
12. Heartache Avenue
13. Imaginary Line
14. Cruisin’
15. Never Leave L.A.
16. I Will Never Love Again
17. Beat Of A Broken Heart
18. Paid To The Order Of Love
19. It’s Alright By Me

DISC 3
1. Never Had It Better (live)
2. Just What I Want (live)
3. Without You (live)
4. Sweetheart (live)
5. You Don’t Want Me (live)
6. One Good Reason (live)

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