It doesn't happen often. But sometimes, things change so drastically that a band ends up continuing with no original founding members. Such was the case with Animotion.
As the band began sessions for their third albums, things quickly came to an unamicable head. Astrid Plane and Charles Ottavio were unceremoniously fired from their own band at the request of management. Though there isn't much information as to what lead to the decision, it appears Plane expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the music, stating that they were being pressured to write songs that didn't represent her and were "watered down" compared to their initial style. Perhaps management simply got tired of the nonsense, and since Ottavio and Plane were a couple at the time, it was simply easier to get rid of them both to avoid future problems.
Meanwhile, remaining original member, Bill Wadhams, was informed that the label would no longer allow him to contribute to writing the songs for the band. This in particular was odd because he had contributed heavily to their prior two albums. Though not an original founding member, Jim Blair also departed in 1988. Whether the two quit, or were fired isn't necessarily clear.
Regardless, with all Ottavio, Plane, and Wadhams gone, Animotion was left with no remaining original members. It was a unique situation that inevitably ushered in the beginning of the end for the band. Prior to this though, efforts would be made by the label to rebuild the group.
Actress Cynthia Rhodes, best known for her role of Penny Johnson in Dirty Dancing, but who was also in Xanadu, Flashdance, Staying Alive, and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, filled the roll left vacant by Plane. Paul Engemann, formerly of the band Device, took over vocal roles for Wadhams. Greg Smith, and Don Kirkpatrick remained in the band, but were not founding members.
This new lineup of Animotion would release their own self titled album, releasing it in 1989. It was led by the cover of Clime Fisher's, Room To Move, which would also be featured on the soundtrack for My Stepmother Is An Alien. The tune would make its way to the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, but the album itself would not fair too well. The band was formally disbanded shortly thereafter.
Playing through it, things start off strong with Room To Move, Calling It Love, and Ground Zero. However, things quickly fall into generic, with that distinct late 80's pop sound. Not quite new wave, but not quite rock and roll. Somewhere kind of in the middle.
Overall, it's not Animotion, not even close, and I can totally understand why Plane would voice complaints that these songs were watered down, and didn't represent the band. Because they don't. If this was my first album from them, it would most likely have been my last.
What's all the more disappointing to me was how much I really enjoyed their 1986 Strange Behavior album. I really wanted more of this from them, but of course, thanks to label and management screwing everything up, this didn't happen.
Fortunately, it wasn't the end of the story. Several of the original members reunited in 2001, and even released a new Animotion album, 2016's Raise. Plane, Wadhams, Kirkpatrick, and Smith have also continued to perform as Animotion since this time. Kevin Rankin joined as drummer in 2002, and Bill's son Chris Wadhams joined as bass player in 2011.
So, there you go. A happy ending after all.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS October 7, 1989 |
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