Alive And Kicking

Alive And Kicking

Alive And Kicking, later known as Alive N Kickin’, is a Brooklyn band led by singers Pepe Cardona and Sandy Toder. It is known mainly for the 1970 single “Tighter, Tighter”, which reaches number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. The chorus of the song is borrowed from Janis Joplin’s earlier breakthrough hit “Piece of My Heart”.

Band history and line-up

The group includes Bruce Sudano, Thomas Woody Wilson on bass guitar, John Parisio on guitar, and Vito Albano on drums, who appears live only. The band also reunites in 1976 and remains active, playing parties and weddings.

“Tighter, Tighter”

The song is written and produced by James and Bob King and arranged by Jimmy Wisner. It comes together at a point when pressure from performing drives James close to collapse. He finishes the backing track for what is intended as his next solo release, then brings in Alive N Kickin’ at the last minute to record the vocals instead. After the song becomes a major hit, the group splits from James and tries to establish itself independently, but does not succeed and breaks up soon after.

Later careers

Keyboardist Sudano later joins Brooklyn Dreams and later marries Donna Summer in July 1980.