Eric Bazilian
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Eric Bazilian is an American musician and member of The Hooters.
After graduating from Germantown Friends School and the University of Pennsylvania, Bazilian decided to hit the club scene. After hooking up with fellow Philadelphian Rob Hyman and friend Rick Chertoff, he formed Baby Grand. The band would release two albums before parting.
After Baby Grand split up, Hyman and Bazilian decided to try something new. They fused reggae, ska, and rock 'n' roll to create The Hooters in 1980.
Nervous Night, The Hooters' debut on Columbia Records sold in excess of 2 million copies and included Billboard Top 40 hits "Day By Day" (#18), "And We Danced" (#21) and "Where Do The Children Go" (#38). After creating 6 well-received albums, The Hooters achieved superstar status throughout the 1980's and 1990's. As a result, The Hooters were asked to open 3 major musical events of the late 20 century: Live Aid in Philadelphia in 1985, Amnesty International Concert at Giants Stadiumin 1986, and Roger Waters' extravaganza at the Berlin Wall in 1990.
The Hooters is Eric Bazilian's main band. He has also recorded on his own, releasing The Optimist in 2000 and A Very Dull Boy in 2002.
Bazilian has become recognized internationally as a gifted songwriter, musician, arranger, and producer. He played all those roles for Joan Osborne's debut project Relish (nominated for 6 Grammy Awards in 1996 including Song Of The Year for the #3 Billboard hit "One Of Us" which he single-handedly wrote).
Bazilian has written hit songs for artists including Billie Meyers ("Kiss The Rain"), Robbie Williams ("Old Before I Die"), Amanda Marshall ("Believe In You"), and Ricky Martin ("Private Emotion").
He continues working with veteran and up-and-coming artists alike. Recently Bazilian was co-writer of tracks on the LeAnn Rimes album Twisted Angel, the Sweet Home Alabama 2002 film soundtrack, and a 2003 General Motors TV Ad Campaign.