THE WORLD’S PUTTING “JENNY” ON SPEED DIAL AS TOMMY TUTONE’S ICONIC 80′s HIT “867-5309”
ENTERS THE AGE OF RINGTONES
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Currently Gigging On The “Rock N Roll Funhouse Tour” With The Knack And The Fixx, Tommy Tutone Also Recently Recorded An Irresistible Acoustic Version of “867-5309/Jenny” For ‘80s Hits Stripped’ , An All-Star Compilation Album Released By Sidewinder Music

“Jenny, Jenny, who can I turn to?” Soon, the answer for millions around the globe–who know that question as the opening line to Tommy Tutone ‘s iconic 1982 hit “867-5309/Jenny”–will be Verizon, Cingular and T-Mobile.

Twenty four years have passed since the song scaled the Billboard Pop Chart, but the number that started life on the bathroom wall will soon be playing on cellular phones everywhere as the song enters the ringtone age. Different versions complementing the familiar original recording are currently in the works.

And speaking of alternate takes, Tommy Tutone—led now as in the early 80s by lead vocalist and guitarist Tommy Heath—contributed a brand new, all-acoustic version of “867-5309/Jenny” to 80s Hits Stripped , an-all star compilation featuring original artists doing unplugged versions of familiar favorites from the decade. The collection was released by Sidewinder Music on May 30. The label sold its popular Heavy Metal Unstripped release via outlets like VH1.

“The true test of a song’s endurance comes when you can play it around a campfire solely on acoustic guitar,” says Heath. “This new take on ‘Jenny’ has fingersnaps, fake Irish drums and sound effects, and I slap my hand on the guitar a la Elvis for the percussion part. Ironically, when Jim and Alex first brought it to me 25 years ago, it had the vibe of a corny campfire song, and I thought it would be better if I added some soul and angst to it!”

The latest lineup of Tommy Tutone, including bassist Jimmy James, lead guitarist Greg Georgeson and drummer Andy Gauthier, has been together since 1998 and released the group’s fifth overall album,  around the turn of the Millennium. That unit is going to be on the road this summer with The Knack and The Fixx on The Rock N’ Roll Funhouse tour. The three bands have already played to packed houses at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City and the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI, with more dates to be announced.

Other upcoming gigs for Tommy Tutone, which recently played an unplugged set at L.A.’s famed Viper Room, include the River Rock Festival in Hudson, WI (June 17) The Hot Rod Café with Steppenwolf in Post Falls, ID (July and the West Linn Old Time Fair in West Linn OR (July 22).

The band is also currently working on a new album of original material. In the Summer of 2005, in addition to “867-5309/Jenny,” they performed Blink-182′s “Small Things” on NBC’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time”.

WELCOME TO THE ROCK N’ ROLL FUNHOUSE:
THE KNACK, THE FIXX AND TOMMY TUTONE JOIN FORCES THIS SUMMER FOR THE ULTIMATE 80′S TOUR

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The Three Ever-Popular Bands Set To Launch Their Latest Hit Parade At The Trump Marina In Atlantic City On May 27

Enough already with “That 70′s Show”—we’re ready to move on and embrace the musical decade that really matters, the 80s. Three of that era’s best known (and still megapopular) hitmaking bands, The Knack , The Fixx and Tommy Tutone , are hitting the road together to create The Rock N’ Roll Funhouse Tour .

Billed as The Ultimate 80s Show, this multi-city package tour is being presented by Edge Management and VH1 Classics, in association with Fantasma Tours International.

The tour kicks off at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City on May 27, and includes a June 3 performance at the DTE Energy Theatre in Pine Knob, Michigan. Edge Management, which handles all three participating artists, has also licensed a broadcast special with HDNet for a concert with The Knack from the World Café in Philadelphia to air on May 14; in addition to the HDNet telecast, the concert will be released on DVD.

The name of the current tour derives from Live From The Rock ‘N Roll Funhouse , The Knack’s 2003 live album and DVD package which was based around the concept of a fictional 60′s musical TV show called “The Rock ‘N Roll Funhouse,” which included a goofy host based on old British DJs.

“Not surprisingly, since it was our project, we were the only band on the show,” laughs Doug Fieger, lead singer of The Knack. “When the idea of this new package tour came together, it just seemed like a great name to convey the kind of enjoyment fans of each of our groups can expect. All three acts have continued to perform on a regular basis for fans throughout the world, and I think for us, the promoters and the fans, it’s both satisfying and intriguing to have us all on one slate.”

Fans entering the Funhouse will be treated to some of the best loved pop classics of all time: The Knack’s “My Sharona” (one of the biggest selling singles of the rock era), “Good Girls Don’t,” “Frustrated” and “Baby Talks Dirty”; The Fixx’s “One Thing Leads To Another”; and Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309 (Jenny).”

Fieger, who says that The Knack has mastered the art of the two and three day weekend performance schedule, feels there’s no real mystery as to why these three bands continue to whip crowds everywhere into a frenzy. “The songs were great songs in their time, and they’re great songs now,” he says. “These are incredible bands that seem to get better with time, and whose energy level is higher than it ever was. What could be more fun than playing great songs with a great band? We all really enjoy performing for audiences, never forgetting that we are entertainers. We’re there to give the fans a great time, and that’s what The Rock N’ Roll Funhouse Tour is all about.”

THE KNACK SETS DATE
AT LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS FEB. 22
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SOLE SPRING PERFORMANCE ON WEST COAST
CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF RE-ZOOM IN STORES NOW

The Knack rode to the top of the charts in 1979 with the irresistible rock hit “My Sharona.” Their first album Get the Knack sold more than 6 million copies and 2002 saw the release of The Knack: Live From The Rock N’ Roll Fun House on DVD. Recorded live in front of a studio audience, as they say on TV, it simulates a ’60s TV show in the spirit of Hullabaloo, Shindig or Ed Sullivan with The Knack as the musical guest. It also set the stage for a re-release of their 1998 CD ZOOM with three bonus tracks: “No Matter What,” “Girl’s Talk,” and even a secret bonus track not listed on the liner.

Doug Fieger, founding member and lead singer of the band, stated about ZOOM “If someone really put the thumbscrews to me so I would name a favorite Knack album I would have to say ZOOM. I mean I love all of them, but ZOOM would stand out as my personal favorite and even more so now that we have a re-mastered version.” Of the re-mastered and re-released version he continues, “When people listen to RE-ZOOM they will say that it really is like hearing the music for the first time. We pushed everything up to 24 bits this time around, even the bonus material.”

The release of RE-ZOOM has fans excited to once again, ‘Get The Knack.’ Never wanting to disappoint their loyal following Fieger and his band have announced that the only West Coast show this spring for The Knack will be happening on February 22 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, CA. Also appearing on the bill will be Tommy TuTone.

To order tickets, call (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310 or stop by the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays between noon and 4:00 p.m. Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards accepted. On-line ticket orders may be placed at www.lamiradatheatre.com.

POWER POP LEGENDS, THE KNACK, TO APPEAR ON THE “TODAY” SHOW’S
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, JULY 19th
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NBC APPEARANCE KICKS OFF A STELLAR MID-SUMMER KNACK BLAST
THAT TAKES THE BAND FROM CONCERTS IN NEW YORK CITY AND OHIO
TO A BRAND NEW VH1 SERIES PROFILE, ALL IN ONE DAY
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ROCK N’ ROLL FUN HOUSE TOUR CONTINUES
WITH COAST TO COAST DATES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER

NBC Television has extended an invitation to The Knack to perform on July 19th as part of the “Today Summer Concert Series.” The long running morning programs 2002 season has placed a spotlight on music’s best, and the inclusion of The Knack makes it even better. The performance on July 19th will be part of a three band retrospective. The Knack will perform their monster hit My Sharonna that stormed the charts in 1979. Along with a performance of the number one smash, The Knack is expected to talk about their latest albums Normal As The Next Guy and The Knack: Live From The Rock N’ Roll Fun House, which is also available on DVD and VHS. The titles are being distributed by Image Entertainment.

The New York stop to perform on the top rated Today Show, adds to the impressive bi-coastal barrage of dates scheduled as part of The Rock N’ Roll Fun House Tour. The Knack will not have much time to take in The Big Apple as they immediately board a plane after leaving the Today show. From NYC they jet to Ohio for a concert with Tommy Tutone at the Dayton Civic Center and to be profiled by VH1 for the Two Hit Wonders special episode of the new One Hit Wonders series that premieres July 29th.

The Knack profile will run on the Two Hit Wonders special episode of VH1 One Hit Wonders in mid-August.

BASS PLAYER PRESCOTT NILES OF THE KNACK
REFLECTS ON UNEXPECTED DEATH OF
JOHN ENTWHISTLE

“His death hit me very hard emotionally. I worked with George Harrison on Shanghai Surprise and when he passed I was stunned, but John’s death feels so much more real, so very close to home. Few bass players can claim to have the unique talent, twisted wit, inventive spirit and unending drive that Entwhistle possessed. I mean the man designed his own instruments! All of this was the reason why I began to play and I can think of no more fitting tribute than to continue doing just that.”

With the passing of John Entwhistle the world has lost one of the most individual and insightful bass players ever known. Prescott Niles who plays bass for The Knack can still remember seeing Entwhistle play with The Who for the first time in New York at the Village Theatre in 1967. Though just a teenager at the time Prescott was immediately hooked on the sound and the wicked sense of humor that the band, and Entwhistle more specifically, brought to the stage. When asked to name some bands that had been influenced by The Who in the same way that he had, Niles indicated that he could not think of a band that had not been touched by The Who.

“They heavily influenced even The Knack…believe it or not” Prescott stated with a sly look. “Combined with Bruce Gary, The Knack’s rhythm section was fashioned directly on the Moon/Entwhistle insanity blueprint.”

Entwhistle’s drama and musical humor combined with the power he conveyed set Prescott’s mind to playing the bass guitar. Over the years, Prescott had seen him play in many places, from tiny gigs like the Tamarack Hotel in Upstate New York, to Woodstock and even London in the midst of the Quadrophenia era. One of his favorites was the premiere of Tommy at the Fillmore East in New York. The shows provided a fire that has driven Prescott’s playing and they have set the bar, which he has always strived to reach.

THE KNACK’S GOT IT…
THE ROCK n’ ROLL FUN HOUSE
AT HOUSE OF BLUES HOLLYWOOD
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The Knack recently held a party to celebrate the release of The Knack: Live from the Rock n’ Roll Fun House on DVD, VHS and CD, distributed by Image Entertainment, at House Of Blues in Hollywood. The party also celebrated Capitol Records reissues the Knack’s 1979 debut Get The Knack which sold 6 million copies worldwide, the 1980 follow-up But The Little Girls Understand (two million worldwide), 1981’s fan favorite Round Trip and 1991′s reunion album Serious Fun that includes the Top 10 hit Rocket O’ Love.

After the action-packed show, lead singer Doug Fieger and bass guitar player Prescott Niles were visited backstage by Image Entertainment’s Vice President of Sales Barry Gordon.

Pictured Right to Left: Prescott Niles of The Knack, Barry Gordon of Image Entertainment and Doug Fieger of The Knack.