Idle Eyes

Idle Eyes is a Canadian rock and roll band, an early version of which was formed in Australia in 1980 by Canadian Tad Campbell and Australian Donna McConville.^[1][2] Campbell is the group's singer, chief songwriter and sole constant member; he returned to his native Canada in 1983, and put together a new line-up of his band, calling it Idle Eyes. This is the version of the group that recorded. They are best known for their single "Tokyo Rose", which peaked at #4 on RPM's Canadian singles chart in July, 1985. Produced by Declan O'doherty and managed by Cliff Jones they were nominated for 3 Juno awards that year-winning for most promising group. Other awards included 6 West Coast Music Awards-winning group of the year honors in 1985 and 1986. Lead singer Tad Campbell won songwriter of the year in 1985 for "Tokyo Rose and runner up in 1986 for the song "Sandra". Their second single "All Day" was also a top 10 Canadian hit. "Tokyo Rose" and "All Day" won Socan awards as two of the top ten most played songs on Canadian radio that year. Highlites included touring with Brian Adams,Tears for fears,Toto,Human League, Loverboy and Tom Cochrane. Idle Eyes also performed for Lady Diana and Prince Charles at the opening of the world exposition in Vancouver in 1986. Their second album "Loves Imperfection" utilizing the services of up and coming producer Michael Beinhorn (red hot chilli peppers, soundgarden) and soon to be superstar engineer Bob Rock at the legendary Little Mountain studio. Bon Jovi's seminal album "Slippery when wet" began recording the next day and the release date for "loves imperfection" was pushed back 5 months. Released at Christmas time with no videos the album sold less than 20000 units and idle eyes was dropped from the warner electra atlantic label a few months later. The band carried on for a few years after with a revolving line up and a minor hit "Blue Train" off of their independently produced third album"Standing at the edge". A best of album "Land of the midnight sun" was released in 1994 and featured 6 new songs.

Idle Eyes band won the Juno Award for "Most Promising New Group" in 1985.^[3]

The line-up for their best-known work, "Tokyo Rose", was Tad Campbell (lead vocals, guitar synth), Glenn R. Smith (guitars), Miles Fox Hill (bass), Phil Robertson (drums), and John Webster (keyboards). Webster was also a member of Tom Cochrane's band Red Rider.^[4]

Discography

Albums

• Idle Eyes - 1985 #42 CAN
• Love's Imperfection - 1986 #93 CAN
• Standing at the Edge - 1988
• Land of the Midnight Sun - 1994 (released as "Tad Campbell & Idle Eyes")
• Karma Cops - 2000
• Bites Back - 2002

Singles

• "Tokyo Rose" (1985) #16 CAN
• Two Rivers (1985)

• "All Day" (1985)
• "In Your Room" (1986)
• "Sandra" (1986) #83 CAN
• "Chains Have Fallen" (1988)
• "Standing At The Edge" (1988)
• "Blue Train" (1989)

Members

• Tad Campbell (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)
• Phil Robertson (drums)
• Glenn R. Smith (guitars)
• Miles Fox Hill (bass)
• Scotty Hall (Guitar - Loves Imperfection)
• Bruce MacKenzie (Keyboard - Loves Imperfection and post 1985)
• John Webster (Keyboard - Idle Eyes 1985 tour)
• Touring members post 1988
• Randy Booth (Bass)
• Al Webster (Drums)

Additional touring members post 1988

• Bud Omstead (Bass-loves imperfection tour 1986)
• Dave Stone (keys)
• Russel Newell (drums)
• Gus Vassos (vocals)
• Tony Ferraro (drums)
• Marc Poy (keys)
• Patrick Miles (guitar)
• Kelly Cook (bass)
• Thom Christiansen (bass)

First version of Idle Eyes

• Donna McConville (lead vocals, keyboards)
• Dudley Welsh (drums)
• Mike Poulter (bass)
• Kevin O'Brien (bass, saxophone, vocals)
• Bill Miekle (saxophone)
• Don Biggar (bass)
• James Chadwick (drums)
• Steve Elaschuk (bass)
• Terry Alton (guitar)
• Larry Pardue (bass, vocals)
• Kevin Swain (bass, vocals)

References

Citations

External links

• Idle Eyes official website
• Idle Eyes discography at Allmusic