The Look

This name is shared by both a British rock band and an American rock band: 1. The formation of a band called "The Look" in 1977 was considered a major event in Detroit, Michigan rock music circles. Five of the ablest, brightest musicians from some of the city's top bands came together to create what has since become an international attraction. Once the original line-up jelled, everything else fell into place. They met their former manager who arranged for the band to make a demo in his studio with local engineer and upcoming songwriter Marshall Crenshaw. They made their live debut in November of '77, and their growing popularity created a demand for a record. In early 1981, "The Look" released their first album, "We're Gonna Rock" on the bands own Plastic Record label; it was produced by Johnny Sandlin, known for his work with The Allman Brothers, Delbert McClinton and many others. The LP did so well-- thanks to MTV exposure ("The Look" was the first "Detroit band to appear on MTV) and Top 5 airplay in a dozen major markets--that "The Look" signed distribution deals with A&M in Canada and RFC/Quality (US). The second Look album, "Look Again" which came out in 1982 was produced by Mark Stebbeds, whose engineering credits include some of Grand Funk Railroad's big hits and "John Mellencamp's" "American Fool" album on which he was nominated for a grammy. He also produced the demo for "We're Gonna Rock". The "Look Again" album surpassed the success of the first album. Their smash hit "You Can't Sit Down" was played and rated on Dick Clark's American Bandstand and scored a '94' making it one of the highest rated records ever on his show. The video was also played on MTV and and "The Look's" hometown paper The Oakland Press voted it "Best Video by a local band". In 1984 The Look signed with Berkeley, Ca. based Fantasy Reords and spent 6 months in California recording their 3rd album "Everybody's Acting. The album though without their signature "Detroit Guitar Rock" attack still captured the same driving spirit and blistering energy of the first two LP's success. It also exhibited a striking sophistication with the addition of keyboards which the group attributed to producer/engineer Phil Kaffel and keyboardist Tim Gorman. Their first single and dance track from this album, "Memories" was produced in 4 different mixes for radio and dance clubs and received airplay on many stations throughout America and was supported by a major club tour sponsored by The Miller Brewing Company's Rock Network program. But Fantasy decided not to fund a video for the album, sales dwindled and eventually dropped the band. Down but not out "The Look" returned home to Detroit in 1985 to regroup. Original members left, new members joined and "The Look" began recording what was to be their 4th album. This time the sessions moved to Producer Eric Morgeson"s Studio A in Dearborn Heights, MI. Two of the 3 songs "The Look" recorded there showed up on the cassette EP "Look Who's Rockin" which was released in 1996 and might be re-released with more songs soon. In 1986 Dave Edwards while still playing selected "The Look" dates joined forces with another Detroit act called "R.H Factor". "The Factor" was a highly successful club act with a big following and was very much interested in recording. Dave and R.H Factor recorded many songs together, of which of only 2 have ever been released on "The Metro Masters" cassette only release in 1989. Another significant highlight of Dave Edwards and R.H. Factor was performing on television in Detroit in front of thousands for the late Pope John Paul II's visit to the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Next up: The 1990's rawk! In 1992 Dave Edwards decided to get back and finish "The Look's 4th album "Look Who's Rockin" the recording this time moved to Ann Arbor at the legendary "Schoolhouse". With yet again new members "The Look" record 14 songs of which only 4 have been released, again on the "Look Who's Rockin" EP. In the mid and late 1990's "The Look" continue to play in clubs and concerts with acts like Paul Rodgers, Dickie Betts, Chuck Berry, the late Ray Charles, and John Cafferty's Beaver Brown Band, Jeff Healey and many others. In 1999 Dave Edwards releases "A Collection For The Record" which is a compilation of some 16 of "The Look's" songs from their first 4 recordings. This CD was re-released on August 8, 2006. It is available NOW at CDBaby.com/cd/thelookde. In 2001 Dave Edwards started recording his 1st "solo" CD, again with producer Eric Morgeson and guitarist, producer Bob Monteleone. The CD is entitled "Take Another Look" and was released in December of 2004. It has been remastered, and it's available just about everywhere online notably on Amazon.com, CDbaby.com and iTunes.com. Dave is currently recording a new CD called "Second Look" Vol. 2 (due Oct. 2007) and with a new reggae band called "The BelleIslanders" who had their "live" debut July 5 in Rochester, MI., USA... rained out... , so we are still waiting for their live debut....The new CD "Strong Stuff" will hopefully be released in 2008.... Dave has just released his 2nd solo CD "Second Look" Vol. 1 which was released on May 25th 2007 and it's available on iTunes along with the new "Look" CD "Look Alive". Check it out...till the next time.... 2. The Look (later known as 'The Look UK' to differentiate it with the above group) was a new wave/power pop group that found some success in the early 80s. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.