Orion the Hunter (band)
Encyclopedia
Orion the Hunter was a 1980s rock combo and offshoot of the popular band Boston
. It featured former Boston members Barry Goudreau
on guitars and Brad Delp
on backing vocals, as well as future Boston lead vocalist Fran Cosmo
.
The band was originally known as simply "Orion", but the name was changed to "Orion the Hunter" in deference to pressure from Orion Pictures
. The group's self-titled album in 1984 on Portrait/CBS Records, which yielded a hit single "So You Ran," featuring the sky-high vocals which prompted Cosmo's entrance to Boston in the early 1990s.
Orion the Hunter charted at #57 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart after its debut on May 9, 1984. "So You Ran" managed to make the Top Ten on rock radio and was a mid-chart hit on mainstream pop radio.
Orion the Hunter featured Bruce Smith on the bass and ex-Heart
drummer Michael DeRosier. The album also included Brad Delp
, former lead singer of Boston. Brad sang background vocals on numerous tracks. The influence of Goudreau's Boston sound is evident on the album. The band is commonly thought to be similar to Boston, Heart, the Scorpions, Journey, and Triumph
.
Boston (band)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
. It featured former Boston members Barry Goudreau
Barry Goudreau
Barry Goudreau is a musician, best known as one of the original guitarists for the rock band Boston.- Before Boston :Goudreau had developed a musical interest at an early age and got his first guitar, an acoustic which he borrowed from a friend, at age 11. He began taking lessons and by age 13,...
on guitars and Brad Delp
Brad Delp
Bradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
on backing vocals, as well as future Boston lead vocalist Fran Cosmo
Fran Cosmo
Fran Cosmo is an American musician best known as a former lead singer of the band Boston.-Music career:Cosmo was first featured on guitarist Barry Goudreau's self titled solo album in 1980, a prelude to the formation of Orion the Hunter in 1983...
.
The band was originally known as simply "Orion", but the name was changed to "Orion the Hunter" in deference to pressure from Orion Pictures
Orion Pictures
Orion Pictures Corporation was an American independent production company that produced movies from 1978 until 1998. It was formed in 1978 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and three former top-level executives of United Artists. Although it was never a large motion picture producer, Orion...
. The group's self-titled album in 1984 on Portrait/CBS Records, which yielded a hit single "So You Ran," featuring the sky-high vocals which prompted Cosmo's entrance to Boston in the early 1990s.
Orion the Hunter charted at #57 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart after its debut on May 9, 1984. "So You Ran" managed to make the Top Ten on rock radio and was a mid-chart hit on mainstream pop radio.
Orion the Hunter featured Bruce Smith on the bass and ex-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...
drummer Michael DeRosier. The album also included Brad Delp
Brad Delp
Bradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
, former lead singer of Boston. Brad sang background vocals on numerous tracks. The influence of Goudreau's Boston sound is evident on the album. The band is commonly thought to be similar to Boston, Heart, the Scorpions, Journey, and Triumph
Triumph (band)
Triumph is a Canadian hard rock power trio that was popular in the late 1970s through the 1980s. Eight of the band's albums were certified gold or higher, and Triumph was nominated for multiple Juno Awards, including Group of the Year Award in 1979, 1985, 1986 and 1987.Like their fellow Canadians...
.
Discography
- Orion the Hunter (PortraitPortrait RecordsPortrait Records was a sister label of Epic Records and later of Columbia Records. Cyndi Lauper and Sade signed with Portrait, but their contracts were absorbed by Epic after that incarnation of the label was shuttered....
, 1984) - The Lost Demos of Cosmo/Smith: demos recorded by cosmo and Smith for the 2nd Orion album, which was never released. Four songs were uploaded to FranCosmoMusic's youtube channel.
Band
- Fran CosmoFran CosmoFran Cosmo is an American musician best known as a former lead singer of the band Boston.-Music career:Cosmo was first featured on guitarist Barry Goudreau's self titled solo album in 1980, a prelude to the formation of Orion the Hunter in 1983...
: Lead Vocals, Phased Guitar - Barry GoudreauBarry GoudreauBarry Goudreau is a musician, best known as one of the original guitarists for the rock band Boston.- Before Boston :Goudreau had developed a musical interest at an early age and got his first guitar, an acoustic which he borrowed from a friend, at age 11. He began taking lessons and by age 13,...
: Guitar - Bruce Smith: Bass
- Michael DeRosier: Drums
Additional musicians
- Brad DelpBrad DelpBradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
: Backing Vocals - Brian MaesBrian MaesBrian Maes is a musician who was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on August 8, 1956. He graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1974 and from Berklee College of Music in 1979.-Early days:...
(touring only): Keyboard, Backing Vocals - Steve Barker (studio only): Grand Piano