Device (pop-rock band)

Device was a short-lived American pop-rock trio from the mid 1980s, formed by keyboardist, bassist and vocalist Holly Knight, frontman Paul Engemann and guitarist Gene Black.[1]

Device
OriginUnited States
GenresRock, pop, dance-rock
Years active1985–1987
LabelsChrysalis, Renaissance
Associated actsAnimotion, Wild Blue, Scandal,
Laura Branigan, Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Marilyn Martin, Spider
Past membersHolly Knight
Paul Engemann
Gene Black

History

1985: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

In 1985 Device worked with Tina Turner and Tim Cappello on the song "One of the Living" from the soundtrack to the film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Holly Knight wrote and programmed the song, while also performing keyboards and backing vocals. Gene Black performed guitars and backing vocals. Mike Chapman produced the song. The saxophone solo was performed by Tim Cappello and lead vocals were performed by Tina Turner. Paul Engemann did not participate on the project.

1986: 22B3

Device's only album, 22B3, was released in the spring of 1986. It produced a Top 40 single in the U.S. with "Hanging on a Heart Attack," which peaked at #35 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band's second single, "Who Says," peaked at #79.[2] Both of these songs were promoted by music videos which garnered MTV rotation, and both were released as 12" singles with remix and dub versions which received club play. A third single, "Pieces on the Ground" was released as a promo 12" single, while the album peaked at #73 on the Billboard 200 chart.[2] The band's fourth and final single was titled "Who's on the Line". It was a remixed version different from the album track timing in at 4:03, however it failed to chart.[3] Mike Chapman produced the album.[4]

Solo projects

Holly Knight
Main article: Holly Knight

Better known as a songwriter, Knight started her career with the band Spider during the early 1980s. She wrote hit songs for Pat Benatar, Scandal, Heart, Cheap Trick, Tina Turner and many others.[5] Turner had a hit single in 1984 with her cover of Spider's "Better Be Good to Me" from the Private Dancer album. After Device disbanded, Holly Knight released a 1988 self-titled solo album, featuring the single "Heart Don't Fail Me Now," and her own version of "Love Is a Battlefield," which she had written for Benatar, and continued writing songs for other performers.

Paul Engemann
Main article: Paul Engemann

Paul Engemann, who previously sang on soundtrack cuts produced by Giorgio Moroder, joined Animotion after Device's breakup, taking over from the original lead singer, Bill Wadhams, and sang opposite Cynthia Rhodes on Animotion's 1989 Top Ten hit "Room to Move." Coincidentally, Knight had recorded the original version of Animotion's biggest hit, "Obsession," as a duet with Michael Des Barres; the two co-wrote the song, which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1983 film A Night in Heaven. After Animotion's dissolution, Engemann retired from music.

Gene Black

Gene Black continued to be involved in session work, including a similarly themed 1980's band, Wild Blue, best known for the aggressive dance-rock singles "Fire with Fire" and "International Language of Dance." Black also co-wrote two Top Ten hits with Holly Knight, Heart's "Never" and Rod Stewart's "Love Touch". Black recorded extensively with Tina Turner, and later joined Joe Cocker's touring band in 1997.

2007: 22B3 Re-released

22B3 was re-released on CD by Renaissance Records in 2007 with the same track list as the original release.

Personnel
  • Paul Engemann – vocals
  • Holly Knight – bass, keyboards, drum programming, vocals
  • Gene Black – acoustic and electric guitars

Discography

Studio albums

Singles
  • "Hanging on a Heart Attack" (1986)
  • "Who Says" (1986)
  • "Pieces on the Ground" (1986)
  • "Who's on the Line" (1986)

Music videos
  • "Hanging on a Heart Attack" (1986)
  • "Who Says" (1986)

Soundtrack appearances

References
  1. "Device (2) Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  2. Device. "Device - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  3. "Device (2) - Who's On The Line". Discogs.com. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  4. "22B3 - Device : Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  5. Demalon, Tom. "Device - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
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