Step into a time capsule of 80s arena rock with Giuffria's "Call to the Heart" video.
The Song
"Call to the Heart" is a quintessential AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) anthem, released in 1984 as the debut single from Giuffria's self-titled debut album. The track, co-written by keyboardist Gregg Giuffria and lead vocalist David Glen Eisley, showcases a powerful blend of soaring melodies, prominent synthesizers, and driving guitar riffs. It's often described as a wistful power ballad that perfectly encapsulated the sound of mid-80s arena rock.
Produced by Andy Johns, known for his work with Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, the song captures a majestic and bombastic feel. Its arrangement highlights Giuffria's keyboard wizardry, which was a defining characteristic of the band's sound, while Eisley's vocal delivery has been compared to the likes of Steve Perry and Michael Bolton.
The Artist
Giuffria was an American rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1981 by keyboardist Gregg Giuffria, following his departure from the glam rock band Angel. The classic lineup of Giuffria consisted of Gregg Giuffria on keyboards and backing vocals, David Glen Eisley on lead vocals and harmonica, Craig Goldy on guitars, Chuck Wright on bass, and Alan Krigger on drums and percussion.
Signed to MCA Records in 1984 by Irving Azoff, the band was known for their blend of hard rock, glam metal, and arena rock, drawing comparisons to contemporaries like Journey and Night Ranger. Despite their relatively short initial run (1983-1987), Giuffria left a notable mark on the 80s rock scene with their polished sound and memorable hooks.
Chart Performance
"Call to the Heart" was the breakthrough hit for Giuffria. It reached an impressive peak of number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1985. The song also performed well on the U.S. Rock charts, reaching number 3.
The success of the single propelled their self-titled debut album to number 26 on the Billboard 200 album charts in early March 1985, where it spent 29 weeks. This made it the most successful album released by Giuffria throughout their career and subsequent incarnation as House of Lords.
Cultural Impact
While "Call to the Heart" was Giuffria's only major hit, it remains a beloved track among fans of 80s melodic rock and AOR. The song and its accompanying video are often cited as quintessential examples of the era's musical and visual aesthetics, from the dramatic power ballad structure to the big hair and theatrical performances.
The band opened for major acts like Deep Purple and Foreigner on sold-out arena tours, exposing their music to a wide audience. Although Giuffria itself disbanded in 1987, the legacy of "Call to the Heart" endures, particularly for its connection to lead singer David Glen Eisley, who later co-wrote and sang "Sweet Victory," famously featured in an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Fun Facts
- Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria had initially planned to retain the name Angel for his new project, but the significant change in style and band members led to the formation of Giuffria.
- The band toured extensively as a special guest act for Deep Purple in 1984, but reportedly faced mistreatment from Ritchie Blackmore, who would cut their set short and forbid guitar solos.
- Craig Goldy, Giuffria's guitarist on their debut album, later went on to play with Dio.
- Beyond his musical career, Gregg Giuffria became a successful businessman in Las Vegas, involved with casino gaming machines and reportedly made "crazy money" from sound effects for slot machines.
- The video itself is a classic example of 80s rock aesthetics, featuring dramatic lighting, smoke machines, and the era's signature fashion, including plenty of hairspray.
- A live video, Giuffria Japan Tour '85, was released following their successful tour in Japan in June 1985.Step into a time capsule of 80s arena rock with Giuffria's "Call to the Heart" video.
The Song
"Call to the Heart" is a quintessential AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) anthem, released in 1984 as the debut single from Giuffria's self-titled debut album. The track, co-written by keyboardist Gregg Giuffria and lead vocalist David Glen Eisley, showcases a powerful blend of soaring melodies, prominent synthesizers, and driving guitar riffs. It's often described as a wistful power ballad that perfectly encapsulated the sound of mid-80s arena rock.
Produced by Andy Johns, known for his work with Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, the song captures a majestic and bombastic feel. Its arrangement highlights Giuffria's keyboard wizardry, which was a defining characteristic of the band's sound, while Eisley's vocal delivery has been compared to the likes of Steve Perry and Michael Bolton.
The Artist
Giuffria was an American rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1981 by keyboardist Gregg Giuffria, following his departure from the glam rock band Angel. The classic lineup of Giuffria consisted of Gregg Giuffria on keyboards and backing vocals, David Glen Eisley on lead vocals and harmonica, Craig Goldy on guitars, Chuck Wright on bass, and Alan Krigger on drums and percussion.
Signed to MCA Records in 1984 by Irving Azoff, the band was known for their blend of hard rock, glam metal, and arena rock, drawing comparisons to contemporaries like Journey and Night Ranger. Despite their relatively short initial run (1983-1987), Giuffria left a notable mark on the 80s rock scene with their polished sound and memorable hooks.
Chart Performance
"Call to the Heart" was the breakthrough hit for Giuffria. It reached an impressive peak of number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1985. The song also performed well on the U.S. Rock charts, reaching number 3.
The success of the single propelled their self-titled debut album to number 26 on the Billboard 200 album charts in early March 1985, where it spent 29 weeks. This made it the most successful album released by Giuffria throughout their career and subsequent incarnation as House of Lords.
Cultural Impact
While "Call to the Heart" was Giuffria's only major hit, it remains a beloved track among fans of 80s melodic rock and AOR. The song and its accompanying video are often cited as quintessential examples of the era's musical and visual aesthetics, from the dramatic power ballad structure to the big hair and theatrical performances.
The band opened for major acts like Deep Purple and Foreigner on sold-out arena tours, exposing their music to a wide audience. Although Giuffria itself disbanded in 1987, the legacy of "Call to the Heart" endures, particularly for its connection to lead singer David Glen Eisley, who later co-wrote and sang "Sweet Victory," famously featured in an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Fun Facts
- Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria had initially planned to retain the name Angel for his new project, but the significant change in style and band members led to the formation of Giuffria.
- The band toured extensively as a special guest act for Deep Purple in 1984, but reportedly faced mistreatment from Ritchie Blackmore, who would cut their set short and forbid guitar solos.
- Craig Goldy, Giuffria's guitarist on their debut album, later went on to play with Dio.
- Beyond his musical career, Gregg Giuffria became a successful businessman in Las Vegas, involved with casino gaming machines and reportedly made "crazy money" from sound effects for slot machines.
- The video itself is a classic example of 80s rock aesthetics, featuring dramatic lighting, smoke machines, and the era's signature fashion, including plenty of hairspray.
- A live video, Giuffria Japan Tour '85, was released following their successful tour in Japan in June 1985.