Autograph

Autograph is an American glam metal and hard rock group from Pasadena, United States, formed in 1983. The band is best known for its 1984 hit “Turn Up the Radio”, which becomes a regular presence on MTV and remains associated with classic rock radio. Its line-up changes over the years include Steve Plunkett, Steve Lynch, Randy Rand, Steven Isham, Keni Richards, Simon Daniels, Jimi Bell, Steve Isham, Steve Plunkett, Randy Rand and Marc Wieland.

Career

The original group forms in 1983 with vocalist and guitarist Steve Plunkett alongside guitarist Steve Lynch, bassist Randy Rand, keyboard player Steven Isham and drummer Keni Richards. Its debut album, Sign in Please, appears in 1984 and represents its main commercial breakthrough. The following album, That’s the Stuff, arrives the next year. Although the band gains attention early on, its position in the Los Angeles pop metal scene weakens as the decade progresses.

The single “Loud and Clear” appears in 1987 and draws extra attention because Ozzy Osbourne appears in its video. The band splits in 1989. Later, a collection of outtakes titled Missing Pieces is issued, followed by More Missing Pieces.

Reunions and later activity

Steve Plunkett revives the group between 2002 and 2005 and releases the album Buzz in 2003, using new material that keeps the band’s 1980s hard rock sound. In late 2013, original members Steve Lynch, Randy Rand and Keni Richards restart Autograph without Plunkett, with Simon Daniels taking over vocal duties. By 2014, Marc Wieland replaces Richards on drums.

This later version of the band tours widely and appears at events including Monsters of Rock Cruise, M3 Rock Festival, The Moondance Jam, The Halfway Jam, Firefest UK, Rockin the Rivers and The Iowa State Fair. It releases the singles “You Are Us, We Are You”, “I Lost My Mind in America” and “Every Generation”, then the EP Louder, which includes four new songs and a live version of “Turn Up the Radio”.

Recent recordings and personnel changes

In 2017, Autograph completes a full album and releases Get Off Your Ass after signing with EMP Label Group, owned by David Ellefson. After Steve Lynch moves on to other projects in 2019, the band adds a new guitarist. Jimi Bell, who has also played with House of Lords and Maxx Explosion, joins the group and brings additional credits from the 1986 film Light of Day, where he performs in the film and plays on the soundtrack album.

Randy Rand, the long-time bassist and the last remaining original member, dies in 2022. Keni Richards dies in 2017 and Steven Isham in 2008.

Style and recognition

Autograph is associated with glam metal, hard rock, heavy metal and rock. Its first single, “Turn Up the Radio”, remains the band’s most enduring recording and appears in popular culture, including Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.