Mike Reno
Encyclopedia
Mike Reno born January 8, 1955 in New Westminster, British Columbia
is a Canadian
musician
, drummer
, and lead singer of the rock band Loverboy
. He has also fronted other bands, including Moxy
.
In the early 1970s, Reno joined the cover band
Synergy and prior to that a cover band called Morning Glory where Mike still played drums. He also did a great version of "Never Been To Spain". After graduating from Penticton Secondary School, Reno moved to Calgary
, Alberta
and formed a band called Spunk with guitarist Jack Stoltz. There he met Paul Dean
in 1978 and got together for a jam session
, which led to the formation of the band Loverboy.
Reno has a son, Alex Reno, who was born January 23, 1988.
Reno has also contributed to various film soundtracks. In 1984, he performed a duet with Ann Wilson
of Heart
, "Almost Paradise
", for the movie Footloose, "Whenever There's a Night" for Dream a Little Dream
and, with Loverboy, contributed "Heaven in Your Eyes
" for the movie Top Gun
, in 1986 as well as "Chasing the Angels" for the soundtrack to Iron Eagle II
.
In the late '90s, during a VH1
interview, Reno attributed the decline of Loverboy to the rise of grunge bands such as Pearl Jam
and Nirvana
.
In 2004, Reno released his first solo album titled Renovation. The album is composed of ten tracks closely resembling the sound of his work with Loverboy.
Reno continues to tour and play live shows with Loverboy. The band's latest album, Just Getting Started, was initially released exclusively through Wal-Mart
on October 30, 2007 and is now available on iTunes
. Loverboy had a headlining spot at the 2007 Grey Cup
party in Toronto.
At the 2009 Juno Awards Reno was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
as a member of Loverboy.
Loverboy also played at the 2010 Olympic medal ceremony in Vancouver.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, and lead singer of the rock band Loverboy
Loverboy
Loverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
. He has also fronted other bands, including Moxy
Moxy (band)
Moxy was a Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band, formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1974, from previous members of the rock group, Leigh Ashford — which included singer Douglas "Buzz" Shearman Earl Johnson , Bill Wade Moxy was a Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band, formed in Toronto, Ontario in...
.
In the early 1970s, Reno joined the cover band
Cover band
A cover band , is a band that plays mostly or exclusively cover songs. New or unknown bands often find the cover band format marketable for smaller gigs, and these bands may be known as a wedding band, party band and function band. A band whose covers consist mainly of songs that were chart hits is...
Synergy and prior to that a cover band called Morning Glory where Mike still played drums. He also did a great version of "Never Been To Spain". After graduating from Penticton Secondary School, Reno moved to Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
and formed a band called Spunk with guitarist Jack Stoltz. There he met Paul Dean
Paul Dean (guitarist)
Paul Dean is the lead guitarist for the Canadian rock band Loverboy which reached huge fame in the early 1980s.-Biography:...
in 1978 and got together for a jam session
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
, which led to the formation of the band Loverboy.
Reno has a son, Alex Reno, who was born January 23, 1988.
Reno has also contributed to various film soundtracks. In 1984, he performed a duet with Ann Wilson
Ann Wilson
Ann Dustin Wilson is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, flute player, songwriter, and occasional guitar player of the rock band Heart.-Personal life:...
of Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
, "Almost Paradise
Almost Paradise
"Almost Paradise...Love Theme from Footloose" is the title of a duet by singers Mike Reno and Ann Wilson, written by pop music singer-songwriter Eric Carmen and co-written by Dean Pitchford....
", for the movie Footloose, "Whenever There's a Night" for Dream a Little Dream
Dream a Little Dream
Dream a Little Dream is a 1989 teen film directed by Marc Rocco and stars Jason Robards, Corey Feldman, Piper Laurie, Meredith Salenger, Harry Dean Stanton and Corey Haim. It was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. Released in 1,019 theaters, it accumulated $5,552,441. This was the third film...
and, with Loverboy, contributed "Heaven in Your Eyes
Heaven in Your Eyes
"Heaven in Your Eyes" was a single released in 1986 by the Canadian rock band Loverboy, for the Top Gun soundtrack. It later appeared on Loverboy's 1989 hits compilation Big Ones. The power ballad reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the U.S.The song was originally written by Mae Moore...
" for the movie Top Gun
Top Gun
Top Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
, in 1986 as well as "Chasing the Angels" for the soundtrack to Iron Eagle II
Iron Eagle II
Iron Eagle II is a 1988 action film directed by Sidney J. Furie. It is the first sequel to the 1986 film Iron Eagle, with Louis Gossett, Jr. reprising his role as Charles "Chappy" Sinclair. An uncredited Jason Gedrick also returns as ace pilot Doug Masters in the film's opening scene.Like its...
.
In the late '90s, during a VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
interview, Reno attributed the decline of Loverboy to the rise of grunge bands such as Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
and Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
.
In 2004, Reno released his first solo album titled Renovation. The album is composed of ten tracks closely resembling the sound of his work with Loverboy.
Reno continues to tour and play live shows with Loverboy. The band's latest album, Just Getting Started, was initially released exclusively through Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
on October 30, 2007 and is now available on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. Loverboy had a headlining spot at the 2007 Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
party in Toronto.
At the 2009 Juno Awards Reno was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Music Hall of Fame
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame honors Canadian musicians for their lifetime achievements in music. The ceremony is held each year as part of the Juno Award ceremonies. Members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame represent many of the world's great talents...
as a member of Loverboy.
Loverboy also played at the 2010 Olympic medal ceremony in Vancouver.